Anosognosia. Sounds like a funny word, but it is not something to be taken lightly. It is my opinion that Anosognosia is the most detrimental symptom linked to Mental Illnesses and other Mental Disabilities. Wikipedia defines Anosognosia as:"Anosognosia /ano·sog·no·sia/ (an-o″so-no´zhah) is a condition in which a person who suffers disability seems unaware of the existence of his or her disability. Unlike denial, which is a defense mechanism, Anosognosia is rooted in physiology (for example, damage to the frontal or parietal lobe due to illness and disease). This may include unawareness of quite dramatic impairments, such as blindness or paralisys."
It goes on and gives a brief reference in relation to Psychology...
"Although largely used to describe unawareness of impairment after brain injury or stroke, the term 'anosognosia' is occasionally used to describe the lack of insight shown by some people who suffer from Psychosis, and who therefore do not have the insight to recognize that they suffer from a mental illness. There is also evidence that schizophrenic anosognosia may be the result of frontal lobe damage"
Anosognosia is also described on www.treatmentandadvocacycenter.org...
"Impaired awareness of illness (anosognosia) is a major problem because it is the single largest reason why individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder do not take their medications. It is caused by damage to specific parts of the brain, especially the right hemisphere. It affects approximately 50 percent of individuals with schizophrenia and 40 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder. When taking medications, awareness of illness improves in some patients.
Impaired awareness of illness is a strange thing. It is difficult to understand how a person who is sick would not know it. Impaired awareness of illness is very difficult for other people to comprehend. To other people, a person’s psychiatric symptoms seem so obvious that it’s hard to believe the person is not aware he/she is ill."Understanding that there is an actual condition that prevents those who suffer with Mental Illnesses from seeing their illness is important. After having many discussions with other family members of those who suffer with Mental Illnesses, mainly Schizophrenia, I have come to the conclusion that the majority of the frustration revolves around their loved ones inability to recognize that they suffer with a serious problem.
When it comes to Schizophrenia, where delusional behavior/beliefs and hallucinations are involved, the problem and the chances of convincing the Ill person of their condition only becomes more challenging.
Many people find it hard to understand and accept that people who suffer with Schizophrenia truly live in their own reality. How can they possibly hear something that no one else can and not realize that there is something wrong with that?
It is all relative. When they hear a voice, it is because they really hear it. Or when they see something, they really see it. You and I may not see or hear it, so we say that it is not real and does not exist. we must understand that they do, in fact, experience these things.
How does one convince another that something that is real, and is right there in front of their face, is not real?
I feel this is one of the areas involving Mental Illness, where involuntary commitment is ideal, and I say that in my personal opinion. Considering it is the single largest reason that those who suffer with Psychotic Disorders do not take their medications, and that the effects of Anosognosia can be improved with medication, I do not see another option. That's just my two cents.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Anosognosia, I have no ideas or solutions to offer. I struggled with this very issue my entire life as I myself and literally dozens of others, tried to convince Susan that there was something wrong with her. However, understanding the condition and realizing that it is not simply denial of an ill family member is helpful and can bring you peace of mind.
Awareness is empowerment!
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