Poor Dissociation of Patient-Evaluated Apathy and Depressive Symptoms
نویسندگان
چکیده
Apathy has traditionally been conceptualised as part of depression. The appropriateness of this conceptualisation has now been questioned, with the realization that apathy constitutes a distinct neuropsychiatric condition, with separate rehabilitation and patient-care implications to depression. Research on the relationship between apathy and depression has, however, produced mixed results. One reason for this inconsistency may lie behind who does the apathy evaluation. In this study we investigated whether the relationship between apathy and depression would differ when apathy was evaluated by the patients or an informant. A total of 49 brain damaged patients were assessed on self- and informant-rated Apathy Evaluation Scales. The relationship between the apathy scores and depressive symptoms was then investigated. Patient-rated, and not informant-rated apathy significantly correlated with depression. We discuss the implication of these results on the relationship between the two neuropsychiatric conditions and also in relation to the utility of patient self-evaluations in apathy.
منابع مشابه
Dissociation of depression from apathy in traumatic brain injury: a case report
Although not evident clinically, lesions to the prefrontal cortex cause great social and functional impairment to patients. The anterior cingulate cortex is intimately involved with motivational behavior and after injury to this area the onset of an apathetic state can be observed. This paper describes the case of a patient with traumatic brain injury to the prefrontal lobe presenting with a de...
متن کاملSymptoms of apathy are associated with progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease in non-depressed subjects.
BACKGROUND Apathy is a common symptom in various neuropsychiatric diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Apathy may be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to investigate if apathy predicts the progression from MCI to Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative is a prospective m...
متن کاملExploring social cognition in patients with apathy following acquired brain damage
BACKGROUND Research on cognition in apathy has largely focused on executive functions. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated the relationship between apathy symptoms and processes involved in social cognition. Apathy symptoms include attenuated emotional behaviour, low social engagement and social withdrawal, all of which may be linked to underlying socio-cognitive deficits...
متن کاملAssessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia include agitation, depression, apathy, repetitive questioning, psychosis, aggression, sleep problems, wandering, and a variety of inappropriate behaviors. One or more of these symptoms will affect nearly all people with dementia over the course of their illness. These symptoms are among the most complex, stressful, and costly aspects of care, an...
متن کاملMajor Depressive Disorder as the First Presentation of Panhypopituitarism: A Case Report
Pan-hypopituitarism is a rare but life threatening disorder that occurs due to reduction of anterior pituitary hormones. In this condition, major depressive disorders are presented by depressed mood and markedly diminished interest in many activities during a day. Some disorders are associated with psychiatric symptoms at presentation, therefore, the diagnosis of mood disorder due to a medical ...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
دوره 2012 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2012