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Cognitive Disorders are a group of disorders that are caused by deficits in a person’s cognition. Cognition is the interplay between memory, emotion, language (both expressive, and receptive), processing of external stimuli (visions, sound, touch etc) and orientation.

Some mental illnesses can lead to cognitive deficits. For example, people with Schizophrenia can experience cognitive regression leading to a cognitive deficit that impairs day to day function.

Cognitive disorders can be temporary or permanent depending on the cause. Even if the disorder is permanent (e.g. dementia) the progression and course can sometimes be delayed leading to a better quality of life.

Cognitive Disorders can include

  • Delirium
  • Dementia
  • Acquired Brain Injury (e.g. head trauma)
  • Intellectual Disability

Cognition is a key activity of the brain that projects a person, be it the intellect, personality, perception or thoughts.

Cognitive impairment can often be very devastating.  Often an individual’s personal expression is defined by the interplay between their perception, thoughts, feelings and cognition.  Cognitive impairments can change one’s personality, memory, functional capacity and ultimately their self-identity.

Why diagnosis is important

The benefits of Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention have been well established for both cognitive and neurodevelopment disorders. Often it is not only the person who suffers. As with mental illness these disorders are associated with high burden for the family and carers mostly due to lack of direction and support on how to best manage patients with these conditions.

Early diagnosis can improve early access to assistance.  In addition to accessing appropriate medical treatment, early diagnosis also facilitates appropriate intervention for the individual and family or carers by adding appropriate support and/or respite, reducing carer burnout and improving overall functional capacity of the individual.

Early intervention for children of schooling age may impact their ability to remain in mainstream schools, to integrate better socially, and may also increase their capacity to mitigate their own functional deficits.

Early intervention for adults may prevent deterioration of functional capacity, can improve independence and preserve relationships.  We want to help you maintain as much freedom as possible.

We can help!

The Shrink Academy has specialised clinicians with a broad range of skills and experience in diagnosis, management, and treatment of both cognitive disorders and neurodevelopment disorders.  In collaboration with our partners at The Shrink Company, we have in-house clinicians in Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Behavioural Support domains, we are thus able to provide a wraparound service for clients in need.

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