3 Those caused by a brain problem that mostly affects memory where people have

3) Those caused by a brain problem that mostly affects memory – where people have trouble remembering names, how to do things, and even important things about themselves

B. How these patients are noticed in ART care • Patients with thought, perception and memory problems are often - brought by family members or -noticed by staff because they are acting strangely, or - because there has been a change in the way they care for themselves.

Changes in speech • Uses recognizable words but does not make sense • May be very animated and talk very quickly • May not answer questions – is silent or gives answers that don’t really relate to the question you asked • Shows a lack of connection between ideas • Says the same things over and over again

Changes in mood • Is irritable, suspicious, or angry in a way they have not been before • Seems inappropriately happy, energized, thinks they are famous or very powerful, or is doing things very quickly (or just taking on too many tasks at once) • Very changeable mood without apparent provocation •

Changes in behavior from how the person was before • Has poor self care, improper clothing • Friends and family can not predict what the person will do next • Roams aimlessly, may collect garbage or other odd items that don’t seem to be of use • Becomes aggressive and destructive • Might give things away or spend all resources without thought • May be sexually promiscuous or inappropriate • Can’t seem to do or figure out things that were previously easy

Hallucinations • Hallucinations are things seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted that can’t be perceived by another person; the person perceives them as real: • Hearing a voice constantly commenting on oneself, or hearing voices of two people talking about you; voices telling you to do something (often violent) • Seeing things that others do not see • Feeling that bugs are crawling on the skin • You can ask, “Do you see or hear things that other people don’t see or hear?”

Delusions • strongly held, false beliefs or convictions that cannot be changed by rational arguments or evidence and are not shared by people from the same social, cultural and religious background and experience. -The most common tend to be “ persecutory ” – that people, or the government, are trying to harm them, are following them, or constantly spying on them. - Delusions can be “ grandiose ” --- feeling that one is great or powerful or can do things that would be unusual for them – this often occurs when people also seem inappropriately happy or energetic - Delusions of jealousy/infidelity: belief that the spouse or partner is being unfaithful.

Delusion con… • Delusion of reference: belief that objects, events or the actions of other people have special significance for the person; e.g. the announcer on the radio is talking directly to the person as if they know that the person is listening.