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P3‐448: Intellect in default: Integrating concepts of neuroscience, psychology and human nature
Author(s) -
Flossie Mary J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.2018
Subject(s) - instinct , psychology , intellect , feeling , social psychology , cognitive psychology , cognitive science , epistemology , philosophy , evolutionary biology , biology
Background: Default mechanisms that surface when intellect fails are human instinct, rote responses, emotional intelligence and autonomic reactions. These keys to human survival are primal and unaffected by disease. Drawing from neuroscience, basic concepts of the limbic system in human development, and applying the psychology of subconscious activity to the primal urges at the core of human nature, we establish that when one can’t think, one still feels and can interpret interpersonal dynamics with profound accuracy. When the brain is destroyed by disease, intellect will default to instinct by nature. Recognition of what is left well intact leads to new approaches to care and intervention. Methods: This workshop hails the ’dementia dilemma’ from the victim’s perspective by revealing the extent to which behaviors are triggered instinctively by non-verbal, environmental and interpersonal stimuli. Retro-genesis in Alzheimer’s causes developmental regression as the memory of life experiences unrvels backward in time, leaving victims with a mental agenda isolated in a previous reality. Results: Defensive and suspicous behaviors are the result of fear, perceived threats and instinctive reactions to fear, over which the affected have no control. Lack of intellectual counterbalance, which is at the core of ‘seemingly’ unreasonable activity, co-exists with Retro-genesis and must be considered in conjunction with autonomic responses if effective ‘interventions’ are to be formulated. Conclusions: Care focus becomes blurred by unrelenting tasks that have to be managed with the cooperation of the confused. Well intended efforts become undermined by personal feelings of exasperation, grief and failure in the process. The obvious is overlooked because intellect itself contradicts understanding dementia. Much can be done to secure, comfort and minimize the fear and anxiety that leads to disturbances if one understands the true underlying causes and abandons dependence on language and learned expectations. Integrating diversity of knowledge equips carers toward improving the quality of life for the compromised as well as themselves.