Anosognosia is a neurological and psychiatric condition that causes the denial, minimization, and/or unawareness of the disability, disorder, or deficit that a person may be suffering from. In the famous quote from Captain Jack Sparrow, “crazy people don’t know they’re crazy,” we can find a cultural attempt to understand anosognosia. If someone you know has received this diagnosis, it means the following:
- They’re unable to recognize that they have a medical issue.
- They’re unaware of and therefore cannot identify or name the signs, effects, implications, and symptoms of their diagnosis.
- They are unable to connect symptoms to their diagnosis.
- They cannot comprehend or affirm that they have a serious medical condition that warrants treatment.
Doing Away With Crazy Talk About Anosognosia
There are two overwhelming problems with the “crazy people don’t know they’re crazy” sentiment. Firstly, not all people who suffer from anosognosia have a mental health disorder. It’s more than possible, and the truth of most cases, that brain damage or trauma on the right side of the brain can cause this obliviousness regarding medical diagnoses. Strokes can also trigger anosognosia in your loved one.
In the cases of brain trauma and stroke, people suffering from anosognosia often also display lapses in memory, partial paralysis (typically on the right side of the body), and the presence of some kind of brain lesion. Usually, stroke or brain-injury-related cases see anosognosia resolve or lessen over time.
Secondly, to refer to someone as crazy is a reductive, harmful approach when thinking of people with mental health disorders that also happen to involve anosognosia. The following mental health diseases commonly trigger or include this type of denial:
- Schizophrenia
- Alzheimer’s
- Bipolar disorder
In the case of Alzheimer’s, it’s likely that the person will minimize and downplay the severity of memory impairment and the steady decline of overall well-being. However, many of these illnesses do allow for a range of anosognosia in patients. At our facilities in Middleton and Waukesha, we see Alzheimer’s-induced anosognosia manifest in a myriad of ways:
- From time to time, patients will inconsistently acknowledge minor memory loss.
- In the day-to-day, patients are completely unaware of any memory impairment.
- Certain patients may display anger or aggression while insisting there is no memory loss.
It’s also possible that your loved one with Alzheimer’s can easily admit and acknowledge what they’re suffering from. In the case of mental illnesses, anosognosia tends to persist and can cause further complications in getting patients to comply with treatment procedures and medical advice.
Anosognosia Vs Denial: What’s The Difference?
Denial is very similar to anosognosia but differs in its initial triggering. People develop anosognosia due to brain damage or when dealing with one of the aforementioned mental health disorders. Denial thinking is triggered by overwhelming emotional stress or trauma too great to process. Some common instances of denial can usually be triggered by:
- Grief: the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship or capability
- Addiction: avoiding or denying the problem may be a way of avoiding withdrawal or the acknowledgment of extremely painful trauma
- Political strife or war: in order to cope with traumatic geopolitical and national issues, people can often deny the reality of their situation or that of others.
In cases of denial, acceptance of reality can be reached. In cases of anosognosia, it’s often a cognitive inability to understand the reality of a situation—medical or otherwise.
Tips For Coping With Your Family Member’s Anosognosia
Simply put: people who have anosognosia cannot detect the mental illness they suffer from. If not properly equipped, patients can spiral, leading to houselessness, arrest, jail time, violence, or suicide. It’s vital that you know you can do these simple things to help:
- Immediately consult your healthcare professionals
- Display (as much as possible) an optimistic attitude about and around your loved one
- Show as much empathy for yourself and your loved one as possible
- Take the time to listen to your loved one and validate them where possible and appropriate. Try to adopt techniques to curb your anger or frustration. Your loved one isn’t making the situation more difficult on purpose.
- Do your best to provide a structured environment with a daily routine, physical movement, proper hygiene, and good nutrition whenever possible.
Miramont Behavioral in Wisconsin is here to support you through the acceptance and treatment of your loved one’s anosognosia. We specialize in mental health treatment and are equipped to stand by you and your family when you contact us today.
