Treatment for pseudodementia can take time, and different people may respond well to different treatment options. In cases of dementia, imaging scans can give hints as to the underlying causes or show the effects of degeneration in the brain. In many cases, imaging tests are also an important tool in helping diagnose pseudodementia. In other cases, they may check for specific proteins or compounds in the blood. For example, a person with chronic vitamin B-12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid may show some similar symptoms. These tests can help the doctor determine the affected area of the brain and help them move on to additional testing.Ī doctor may also order blood tests to check for signs of underlying conditions or deficiencies. In-office evaluations can help give the doctor an idea about the person’s mental state and where the problem may lie. A doctor will want to rule out dementia and other cognitive impairments before moving on to other possible causes.Ī thorough diagnosis generally requires a number of tests. It is also entirely possible for a person to have true dementia and depression at the same time.įor this reason, diagnosing pseudodementia can take time. These changes can vary greatly, and it may be difficult to tell the difference between aging-related changes and early signs of depression or dementia.Īnother difficulty in diagnosing pseudodementia is that the symptoms of depression and many progressive neurological conditions often overlap in older adults. In fact, many doctors do not agree with using the term pseudodementia, seeing it as more of a description of symptoms rather than a diagnosis itself.īecause of this, doctors will be very careful to completely eliminate other potential causes before making a diagnosis.Īs the symptoms of pseudodementia typically occur in older adults, there are some challenges associated with properly diagnosing the condition.įor instance, aging itself causes general changes in cognition and brain function. Pseudodementia and dementia can be difficult to differentiate. Some hypothesize that mood-related conditions such as depression may cause these cognitive changes in the aging brain. The condition generally occurs in people as they age.
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