Brief Introductory class for MSW

1. ORGANIC MENTAL
DISORDERS
AARCHA GOWRI VARMA
MPHIL PSW SCHOLAR
IMHANS

2. ORGANIC MENTAL DISORDERS
This group includes mental and behavioural disorders due to demonstrable cerebral
disease or primary (brain pathology) or secondary (brain dysfunction due to systemic
diseases)
 The disorder in this section include:
 Delirium
 Dementia

3. Delirium
 It is characterized by disturbance of consciousness and changes in cognition (memory deficit, disorientation and
language and perceptual disturbances )
 Transient condition
–It develops rapidly over a course of hours or day.
–Show reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention
–and exhibits disorganized pattern of thinking as manifested by , irrelevant or incoherent speech
–Disturbance in sleep and waking
-Psychotic symptoms can be present

4. Causes:
–Certain medications or drug toxicity.
–Alcohol or drug abuse or withdrawal.
–A medical condition.
–Metabolic imbalances, such as low sodium or low calcium.
–Severe, chronic or terminal illness.
–Fever and acute infection, particularly in children.
–Exposure to a toxin.
–Malnutrition or dehydration

5. Dementia
 Age related
 Dementia is a global impairment of intellect, memory and personality but without impairment of
consciousness”-
 Types:
 Usually irreversible, progressive
 Reversible
 Etiology:
 Significant loss of neurons and volume in brain regions devoted to memory and higher mental functioning

6. Symptoms:
 Early stages: Difficulty remembering names and recent events is often an
early clinical symptom.
 Later symptoms include impaired judgment, disorientation, confusion,
behaviour changes and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

7. Thank You!!!!