Review article

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2022.23

Mental Health of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease

Zrinka Rauch orcid.org/0000-0002-9386-2149 ; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
Tihana Jendričko orcid.org/0000-0001-5197-943X ; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
Silvia Rusac orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-9624 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Department of Social Work, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the mental health of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, considering the neuropsychiatric
symptoms appearing over the course of the illness and a systematic review of research studies on the prevalence of the
symptoms. The neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease involve altered personality traits, mood and motor
disorders, and numerous other signs apparent not only to patients but also to other people (physicians, caregivers, etc.).
Namely, besides the patients, the symptoms equally affect their environment (family, caregivers, system of care for people
with the disease, and the entire society).
This paper presents Alzheimer’s disease in general and its neuropsychiatric symptoms, through their definition, description,
treatment interventions, measurement, and classification. The paper also discusses the prevalence of neuropsychiatric
symptoms, contrasting the findings from the systematic review with the results of previous research studies. Accordingly,
the symptoms of apathy, depression, and irritability tend to prevail, while euphoria and hallucinations seem the least
prevalent, which is consistent with the research findings from previous studies (with minor deviations, also presented in
the paper). Given the projected increase of the elderly population and, accordingly, more people suffering from different
types of dementia (most often Alzheimer’s disease), the interest in the disease and its symptoms is expected to further
increase in the future.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s Disease; Dementia; Neuropsychiatric Symptoms; Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia; Prevalence

Hrčak ID:

284589

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/284589

Publication date:

16.10.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.692 *