NURSING TOOL BOX SERIES

  ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROMES These are mental illnesses or conditions that result from diffuse impairment of brain tissue function from whatever cause. These syndromes or cluster of diseases are subdivided into psychotic and non psychotic depending on the severity of the functional impairment of the brain. A patient who cannot meet the ordinary demands of life is considered psychotic. Normally, acute brain disorders are reversible, whereas chronic brain disorders tend to have permanent or irreversible impairment. CLASSIFICATIONS   Patients with similar clinical manifestations may be classified differently, depending on the examiner's discipline, training and background.   When a physician is confronted with a patient who has a mental disturbance, may first attempt to decide whether the disturbance represents an organic impairment of brain function or a functional disturbance or both. Once he/she decides that the patient is indeed suffering from an organic disturbance, he

  MENTAL RETARDATION   INTRODUCTION In each country approximately 1% of the population have mental retardation. Mental Retardation is a disability, which starts before adulthood, and has a lasting effect on development producing: Reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning) due to Reduced ability to understand new information and to learn new skills (impaired intelligence).   The essential features of mental retardation are a significantly sub-average general intellectual function, accompanied by significant deficits in social functioning in areas such as social skills, communication and in addition difficulties in attaining personal independence and social responsibility. The onset of mental retardation must be before the age of 18 years. .          CAUSES OF MENTAL RETARDATION Causes of mental retardation are grouped into two, genetic and environmental categories. Ø   Problems with brain development intra uterine which may be cause