Orientation disorders or orientation problems can have harmless causes that pass. Exhaustion, lack of sleep, lack of fluids, abuse of medications or alcohol, and overexertion can cause momentary orientation problems at any age. However, they can also be suggestive of dementia. Therefore, repeated disturbances of the sense of orientation should be scrutinized more closely. To facilitate this, we address here four main questions about orientation disorders.
What are orientation disorders?
In the case of incipient Alzheimer’s dementia, temporal orientation is affected first, then situational and local orientation, and in the last step, orientation related to the person. In the usual orientation disorders, a distinction is made between temporal orientation disorders, place-based orientation problems, situational disorientation, and orientation disorders to the own person. In the case of incipient Alzheimer’s dementia, temporal orientation is affected first, then situational and local orientation, and in the last step orientation related to the patient’s own person. Such disorientations exist with increasing frequency and with fewer and fewer clear moments. Other disorientations can be described as momentary confusion, the causes of which seem understandable. The term “orientation disorders” is a generalizing term introduced in medicine and psychiatry. It does not say much about the causes and forms of orientation disorders.
Causes
Orientation disorders can occur in all sorts of contexts. They may be the result of certain diseases or occur after surgery. Mental illness can result in orientation problems. Progressive alcohol and drug abuse have already been described as possible causes of disorientation. More recently, disorientation problems may also indicate the onset of chemical intolerance or damage to the brain from volatile solvents, wood preservatives, heavy metals, or pesticides. In old age, orientation disorders are usually indications of incipient dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. However, they can also indicate overwork, exhaustion, lack of fluid intake, alcoholism, substance abuse, and the like. Initially, orientation problems should be viewed as a symptom that can have many causes. This makes determining the cause very difficult in some cases. The severity of the clinical picture can also vary greatly. Diagnosis of orientation problems should be placed in the hands of a neurologist or psychiatrist.
Diseases with this symptom
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Complications
Orientation disorders lead to a prolonged [[stress9]experience in the affected person. Memories are missing and cause the onset of anxiety or panic. In some cases, regular panic attacks occur, which are stressful for the affected person as well as his or her close environment. Helplessness and excessive demands set in. In order to calm down, some people start taking medication or alcohol. This leads to further problems and side effects. There is a risk that an addiction will develop. Orientation disorders cause mental stress and can trigger further psychological disorders. Mood swings, irritability and moodiness set in. Depression, melancholia or mania may develop. Some people develop aggressive behavior that goes as far as violence. Blood pressure rises and cardiovascular disease may develop. People in treatment with orientation disorder often feel patronized. The underlying conditions are often not curable according to current medical standards and lead to further deterioration of health. Prescribed medications in many cases are aimed at reducing anxiety. This causes a change in behavior. Apathy, apathy or disinterest in current events are possible side effects. Often there are changes in the close environment. Separations and withdrawal behavior can lead to social isolation.
When should you see a doctor?
As a rule, the need to see a doctor depends strongly on the cause of the orientation disorders and should therefore be considered in each case.In many cases, the orientation disorders occur after the consumption of alcohol and other drugs. In these cases, no medical treatment is necessary, the patient just has to wait until the drugs have completely worn off. However, a doctor or a clinic should be visited if drug use and thus the orientation disorders occur more frequently. In this case, withdrawal is necessary. Likewise, a doctor must be consulted if the orientation disorders occur after an accident or after a blow to the head. This may be a health-threatening illness or a concussion, which must also be examined by a doctor. In this case, the hospital can also be visited or the emergency doctor can be called. Even if the orientation disorders occur without any particular reason, it is advisable to consult a doctor. If the orientation disorders occur after an operation or after medical treatment with anesthesia, it is a common symptom and the disorders will disappear on their own after a short time without further discomfort.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of orientation problems is sensibly based on the suspected or diagnosed cause of the same. Acute orientation disorders are a condition that requires increased attention and more intensive observation of the person who is affected. He does not always notice his disorientation. The age at which disorientation is noticed must be taken into account, as well as recent experiences, changes in sleep habits, increased chemical exposures, changes in drinking habits, medications taken, a new environment, and the like. First, a diagnosis is needed that conclusively explains the orientation disturbances. If necessary, an x-ray of the brain is also useful. Psychologically caused orientation disorders must be treated quite differently than organically caused orientation disorders. Nursing emergencies such as lack of fluid intake require a different measure than clandestine sleeping pill abuse or undetected old-age alcoholism. Thus, there can be no single treatment for orientation disorders. However, possible types of treatment for orientation disorders may include talk therapies, drug treatments, concentration exercises, relaxation techniques, and others.
Outlook and prognosis
There is usually no treatment available for orientation disorders. These occur mainly in older age and are associated with general spiritual confusion. Life is relatively difficult for the affected person, who can no longer manage his or her daily life on his or her own because of the orientation disorder. Thus, these persons get lost and sometimes cannot recite their own identity. The orientation disorders are very often triggered by strong stress and lack of sleep. Treatment with medication does not usually take place. Therapies and conversations with a psychologist can be carried out, which should reduce the orientation disorders. The success of this therapy depends very much on the mental and physical condition of the affected person. Often the orientation disorders appear as a symptom in old age and in this case they are relatively common. However, they are not reversible and are related to other diseases, which cannot be treated directly. The quality of life decreases very much in case of orientation disorders, because the affected person becomes dependent on other people.
Prevention
A wide variety of measures are needed to prevent orientation disorders. At any age, concentration exercises, abstaining from addictions, reducing exposure to chemicals, or making sure to get enough sleep are appropriate measures. A healthy diet, moderation with alcohol and medication, or exercise in the fresh air provide the body with everything it needs. However, mind and spirit also want to be exercised regularly and alleviate later orientation problems.
Here’s what you can do yourself
With orientation disorders, treatment is not possible in every case. They often occur after the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. In this case, the patient must definitely stop the intake of these substances and sober up. It usually takes several hours for the orientation disorders to disappear.If the orientation disorders occur suddenly and are associated with dizziness or headaches, the affected person must take it easy and rest. A high fluid intake accelerates the healing process. This also applies to the patients suffering from stress and lack of sleep. Usually, the orientation disorders disappear on their own when the body is able to rest. Orientation disorders often occur in elderly people and are often associated with other diseases. In this case, self-help is not possible. Patients depend on the help of caregivers or family to cope with everyday life. In general, a healthy diet and lifestyle have a positive effect on orientation disorders. This also includes giving up smoking, if appropriate. Stress therapy and relaxation exercises may also be helpful.
