DISTURBANCES OF PERSONALITY, EMOTIONS AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES – A NEUROLOGIST’S VIEW

Background. Brain damage and disorders of brain function may lead to changes in how patients experience reality and how they behave. The mental disturbances may be conceptualised as changes in personality, disorders of emotions and mood, and cognitive dysfunction. The definitions of these different types of mental dysfunction are discussed and procedures of their assessment described.Conclusions. The diagnostic assessment is a two-step process: first the syndromic diagnosis of the personality change, mood disorder or cognitive dysfunction is ascertained, and then the cause of the syndrome is defined. Only then it is feasible to assess patient’s overall impairment, and his remaining ability for daily activities and work capacity.