Psychogenic Amnesia
Definition:
Psychogenic amnesia (dissociative amnesia) is a condition in which a person subconsciously blocks out certain information (usually associated with a stressful or traumatic event) leaving them unable to remember important personal details. Unlike regular amnesia, in psychogenic amnesia the memories still exist but are deeply buried within the person's mind and cannot be recalled. These memories may resurface over time or if triggered by something in the person’s surroundings.
Cause/Risk Factors:
Psychogenic amnesia is caused by overwhelming stress.
Risk factors include:
• Traumatic event
• Abuse
• War
• Accident or disaster
• Genetics
• More common in women
Signs & Symptoms:
• Memory loss (sudden inability …show more content…
Assess for behavioral changes – Raitonale: Pts with memory loss and diminished orientation may exhibit withdrawal, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, aggression, and combativeness.
5. Provide reality orientation for the pt at every contact (address pt by name, introduce yourself, and review day, time, location, and activity) – Rationale: The pt with impaired memory will have difficulty maintaining orientation to the immediate environment.
6. Encourage participation in talk therapy – Rationale: This will help the pt identify underlying causes and address their thoughts and feelings.
7. Administer Ativan for accompanying anxiety as ordered – Rationale: Pts with memory loss may experience accompanying anxiety. Ativan is a benzodiazepine that may help with this. o Assess degree and manifestations of anxiety – Rationale: Ativan that is given PRN must be assessed for need of medication. o Monitor for excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and lethargy – Rationale: These are common symptoms of Ativan. Adjustments in dosage may be needed.
8. Evaluate effectiveness of treatment – Rationale: Adjustments may need to be made in the plan of care if improvement is not shown.
Goals:
• Underlying cause of memory loss will be identified.
• Pt will face underlying cause of memory loss and feelings.
• Pt will regain loss
Definition:
Psychogenic amnesia (dissociative amnesia) is a condition in which a person subconsciously blocks out certain information (usually associated with a stressful or traumatic event) leaving them unable to remember important personal details. Unlike regular amnesia, in psychogenic amnesia the memories still exist but are deeply buried within the person's mind and cannot be recalled. These memories may resurface over time or if triggered by something in the person’s surroundings.
Cause/Risk Factors:
Psychogenic amnesia is caused by overwhelming stress.
Risk factors include:
• Traumatic event
• Abuse
• War
• Accident or disaster
• Genetics
• More common in women
Signs & Symptoms:
• Memory loss (sudden inability …show more content…
Assess for behavioral changes – Raitonale: Pts with memory loss and diminished orientation may exhibit withdrawal, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, aggression, and combativeness.
5. Provide reality orientation for the pt at every contact (address pt by name, introduce yourself, and review day, time, location, and activity) – Rationale: The pt with impaired memory will have difficulty maintaining orientation to the immediate environment.
6. Encourage participation in talk therapy – Rationale: This will help the pt identify underlying causes and address their thoughts and feelings.
7. Administer Ativan for accompanying anxiety as ordered – Rationale: Pts with memory loss may experience accompanying anxiety. Ativan is a benzodiazepine that may help with this. o Assess degree and manifestations of anxiety – Rationale: Ativan that is given PRN must be assessed for need of medication. o Monitor for excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and lethargy – Rationale: These are common symptoms of Ativan. Adjustments in dosage may be needed.
8. Evaluate effectiveness of treatment – Rationale: Adjustments may need to be made in the plan of care if improvement is not shown.
Goals:
• Underlying cause of memory loss will be identified.
• Pt will face underlying cause of memory loss and feelings.
• Pt will regain loss