Myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease

Many myths and misconceptions prevail about Alzheimer’s disease. It is not only the common man but some physicians too who lack a proper understanding of this disease.

A minor decline in intellectual capability with advancing years occurs in most people. However, even when this progresses to the point of severe intellectual loss, clearly indicating a disease process, the family continues to accept it as a part of the ageing process and does not take their loved one to a doctor. There is a sense of fatalism and acceptance of ill-health in old age in the communities of southeast Asia. This is detrimental to the patients, as it deprives them of medical care, as well as to the family, as it suffers the consequences of a member’s disease.

Myth:

This is senility, you can’t reverse old age, so why go to a doctor?

Fact:

Alzheimer’s disease is not “normal old age”. Every elderly individual does not have this disease. Thus, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms which could suggest this disease and consult a qualified medical practitioner to assess your loved one.

Myth:

This is madness!

Fact:

Although, some Alzheimer’s disease patients have behavioural symptoms, these are an integral part of the disease process. Under no circumstances should this be considered to be “madness”. The patients are unable to control their behaviour and therefore, appropriate treatment is necessary. Although psychiatrists do treat Alzheimer’s disease, every patient treated by them is not “mad”.

Myth:

He is behaving like a child. I will teach him sense.

Fact:

Old age has been referred to in fiction as a “second childhood”. There may be some elements of childish behaviour in such patients but this is a superficial similarity. Family members and care-givers in their desire to be helpful, unknowingly try to “teach the patient to behave”. There are horror stories of patients being beaten and scolded as children are. Family members must realise that if the patients were capable of controlling their behaviour, they would have done so in the first place. Also, care-givers must realie that the ability to “learn” new things is lost in patients. Thus, you cannot “teach him sense”; but appropriate treatment can help.

Myth:

He is possessed by evil spirits. I will take him to a sorcerer and get his evil spirit exorcised.

Fact:

Alzheimer’s disease certainly does not indicate possession by evil spirits nor is it penance for sins committed in previous lives. It is a well-defined medical illness. Treatment should be received from a qualified medical practitioner and not from faith healers or sorcerers.

Myth:

He has no memory problem, he can remember all about his childhood.

Fact:

In Alzheimer’s disease, memory for old events is preserved till the advanced stages of the disease. In the early stages, the ability to learn new things is impaired. Since the common man assumes that memory for old events is more important, some patients are not brought to the doctor in the early stages of the disease.

Even if a patient with changes in intellectual capability is taken to a doctor, general physicians with limited experience in treating Alzheimer’s disease will rarely make a specific diagnosis of this disease. Although awareness is increasing, many misconceptions prevail among medical practitioners.

Source: World Health Organisation