Dementia is a mental illness, which affects the patient’s memory, thinking, behavior, and other mental health aspects. It affects your memory to an extent that you experience difficulties carrying out your daily tasks. Basically, the disease damages your brain cells that are responsible for storing memory. The problem is uncommon in people below 60 years. Patients must consult with a certified and practicing doctor for dementia treatment in Kharghar to diagnose the issue at its early stage.

While forgetting things or losing memory seem to be a normal part of aging, dementia can speed up your memory loss, affecting your behavior along the way. The worst part is that dementia is progressive in nature, meaning it keeps getting worse over time (especially if you don’t get the right care and treatment).

How is Dementia Diagnosed?

Memory loss is quite common in older people. As you age, you lose your ability to remember small details. However, dementia can make this memory loss worse for the patient. They have trouble understanding what time it is, when is their appointment, and more. It starts with forgetting the day/date, but gradually, the symptoms worsen. Not only does the patient experience short-term memory loss, but people with dementia develop other mental illnesses that might change their behavior.

Note that the symptoms of dementia are often confused with depression and infections. You need to discuss your symptoms with a psychiatrist to detect dementia or other mental health diseases. They might order blood tests, a CT scan, and other medical tests to rule out other issues. They need your medical history and a test of your thinking, behavior, and memory for diagnosis.

Psychiatrists and Dementia

Since it’s a medical condition involving neurology, dementia needs a diagnosis and treatment plan developed by a psychiatrist. They ask about your symptoms to understand the severity of the problem and the current stage. Based on the findings, a psychiatrist will prepare a treatment plan for the patient.

Dementia often co-occurs with a range of other psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions. As the patient loses their memory and faces struggle in speech, they are likely to get anxious and depressed. They need a good social environment and emotional support from family, in addition to the medication.

What does a Psychiatrist Do?

A psychiatrist specializes in mental health diseases that might affect the individual’s ability to communicate, walk, act, store memory, and stay focused and happy. From depression to dementia, a psychiatrist with other medical professionals play a pivotal role in treating a vast range of mental health illnesses. They can:

  • Conduct assessment and diagnosis for dementia
  • Help with behavioral issues and other conditions that co-exist with dementia, such as depression, anxiety, and hallucinations
  • Work with other healthcare professionals to diagnose the root cause of the problem
  • Prescribe medication to provide you relief from the symptoms of dementia

If you are having trouble with short-term memory, consult with a psychiatrist in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai and get a proper diagnosis.