Organic mental disorders are caused by illness, injury or pathology affecting the brain. Alzheimer’s, depression, and OCD are common examples. The term “organic mental disorder” is becoming obsolete as it is difficult to separate physical and psychological aspects of brain conditions. Treatment depends on the specific condition.
A organic mental disorder is an abnormality in brain function that can be temporary or permanent. Also known as organic mental syndrome or organic brain syndrome, mental disorders of this variety are primarily caused by one of three factors: illness, injury, or pathology. Common organic mental disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, depression and OCD.
The term “organic mental disorder” is not commonly used. In the early years of technology and the study of the brain, the term was coined to differentiate physical impairments of the brain from psychiatric illnesses. Over time, however, researchers have found it increasingly difficult to separate the physical aspects of conditions affecting the brain from their psychological or emotional components. For example, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) undoubtedly has psychological implications, like PTSD. As the distinction between physical and psychological disorders became nearly impossible, the term “organic mental disorder” gradually became obsolete.
Illness is a potential factor in the development of an organic mental disorder. Some diseases affect the brain without having an exclusively psychological basis. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that begins with the buildup of plaque in the brain, leading to dementia; this is a physical condition – an organic mental disorder, or OMD – that produces mental abnormalities.
Brain injuries can also cause OMD. When a brain injury occurs, the brain literally bounces off the sides of the skull before snapping back into place. This can cause serious physical, psychological and neurological damage to the system. Some brain injuries can be temporary or acute, such as a concussion, while others can be permanent or chronic, such as a head injury.
Developmental or physiological problems can also give rise to OMD. These are the most common factors in the development of the condition and often occur in childhood, although they can strike at any point in life. Examples of pathological OMD include autism and mental retardation.
Several other factors can potentially lead to OMD. It has also been shown that exposure to toxic chemicals, hormonal or chemical dysfunction, and neurological problems can cause the condition. Symptoms of OCD vary greatly between conditions, but common indicators include general confusion, memory problems, and poor judgment. Given the intricate house of cards that is the human brain, OMD treatment depends entirely on what type of condition an individual has. Each condition will require a different course of action.
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