Anosognosia: what it is, causes and treatment

We know thatthe brainis an organ that allows us to be aware of our environment, although it is also known thatthere are certain limitations.

When suffering fromsome type of pathology, it can be created as an effect of self-defense adenialof it or, led precisely by the disease there is alack of knowledge as a result of it, since it occurs mainly inpsychosis and mental disorders, this effect of negation is known asanosognosia.

In the following article we will delve into what anosognosia is, the symptoms it presents and the treatments applied to improve the quality of life of patients who present it.

What is anosognosia?

Anosognosiais considered asymptomthat is recognized as fascinating and mysterious, because it is thedevelopment of a disease without the perception of it.

Note: Anosognosia comes from the Greek a,nososandgnosiswhich translates as “ignorance of the disease”. It is then aninability to cope, where the brain does not process the correct perception of the situation, which includes difficulties for caregivers and relatives of the patient.

Causes of anosognosia

Anosognosiais given by different elements, which are considered causes or motives, they will be mentioned and exposed below for the understanding of the nature of this symptomatology characteristic.

Brain injuries

A lesion produced in theright hemisphere, which is the dominantcerebral hemispherefor the recognition of external spaces and their elements, could lead to anosognosia, especially in patients with recent strokes orhemianopsia. (1)

Neurological disorders

Although in itself the situation is a lack of perception of theneurological deficitsthat patients present, it is precisely this type ofdisorders and psychosesthat leadthe brain to suppress the recognition of what is happening. It is usually very common although multifactorial and occurs mainly in the presence of:

• Alzheimer
• tumors
• trauma
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Cortical blindness

Psychological disorders

The presence of various disorders of a psychological nature usually lead to a lack of recognition of it.

A fairly clear example would be the presence of eating disorders such as anorexia of the nervous type, Bipolar disorders and those that involve a hemispheric asymmetry which is linked to the disease and the presence of anosognosia as symptomatology.

symptoms of anosognosia

Even when anosognosia is considered a symptom of psychological and neurological disorders, it has its own Symptomatologythat allows its recognition and presence. They will be mentioned and described below for their identification and understanding.

Alterations of consciousness

In an investigation entitled “Anosognosia: a clinical approach to the study of consciousness” , they establish that it is characterized by the loss of self-knowledge in both a physical and cognitive state. (two)

Note: It is quite characteristic in Alzheimer ‘s patients with a loss of value of the function of consciousness.

Deficit denial

In some medical articles, anosognosia is defined in general terms as A denial of the deficit , although it is considered an element that is not exclusive as a psychological character that proceeds as a biological fault and dysfunction in the frontal lobe as a consequence of some lesion. (3)

Difficulty performing daily activities

It produces difficulties in carrying out daily activities, because it does not recognize the problems it presents and may have limitationsthat are not admitted or stipulated. In many cases, capacities and autonomy decrease.

Treatment for anosognosia

There are certain treatments that are intended to Confront and improveThequality of life of patients , which will be mentioned and described below.

Care of the underlying pathology

In this case, the application of treatments for the pathology that produces the presence of anosognosia is used, being characteristic, corresponding and specific for each individual, thus allowing the improvement and recognition of the situation to Reduce risks and optimal confrontation. for disorders.

Confrontational strategies

For this , evasive behaviors must be avoided and the application of psychological therapies is used , in order to produce better advances in rehabilitation, thus being a Cooperative Work where the integration of the patient is sought and the development of the relevant evaluation for the application of proper treatment. are sought.

Family support

The use of patience and group therapy, allows the integration and acceptance of the patient by his pathology or disorder, thus allowing the application of treatments and advances, reducing evasive behaviors and thus achieving advances in rehabilitation.

Key Findings

• Anosognosia is a symptom of disorders that limits their acceptance and the patient has evasive behaviors that do not allow the application of treatments because he considers himself a healthy person.
• There are different types of disorders that can develop anosognosia and others that due to their characteristic nature present it as psychological denial, such as in cases of anorexia nervosa.
• It can be present in psychological and neurological disorders , as well as being a consequence of some brain injury.
• It produces difficulty to carry out daily activities and that alter the behavior of the individual, producing difficulty for its treatment and confrontation.