PSYC 3390 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Neurofibrillary Tangle, Syphilis, Neuropathology

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3390
• Professor: Mary Manson

Document Summary

Most of the disorders to be considered in this section are called organic mental disorders functional mental disorders are brain disorders that wre considered not to have an organic basis; they were treated by psychologists. These terms were dropped and the disorders are now refered to as delirium, dementia and amnestic and other cognitive disorders. Acute confusional state that lies between normal wakefulness and stupor or coma. Disturbance in level of consciousness and information processing capcities are impaired; affecting attention, perception, memory and thinking. Hallucinations and delusions are common as well as psychomotor activity like agitation and disturbed sleep cycle. Criteria for delirium: disturbance of consciousness/change in cognition/disturbance develops over a short period of time and tends to fluctuate over the course of the day. Elderly are particularily at risk especially after surgery and children are also at high risk because their brains are not fully developed ranges from 5 to 40% of hospitalized patients.