Mental health and cognitive impairment

It is well established that mental health disorders can significantly affect an individual’s cognitive functioning. For many people who experience a
mental health disorder, changes in cognitive functions such as memory and reasoning can often be some of the most distressing symptoms.
Cognitive impairment can limit all aspects of a person's life, and exacerbate feelings of loss of control and mastery associated with many mental
health problems. The table below outlines some of the cognitive changes that people with mental health issues can experience.
Attention
 Can't keep track when reading a book or following a conversation
 Can't concentrate on anything, and get easily distracted
 Can only do one thing at a time
Memory
 Forget what they are doing in the middle of doing it
 Forget appointments, phone numbers and conversations
 Dependent on others to help remember things
 Can't learn new skills (e.g., computer)
Problem-solving
 Can't see anything through to the end, for example, start to build something but get muddled half way through
 Can't cook a meal - difficulty sequencing and coordinating tasks
 Difficulty filling in forms
Activation
 Difficulties with planning and initiating activities of daily living
 Difficulties with maintaining motivation and drive
 Medical conditions and cognitive impairment
 There is a vast range of medical conditions that can have an impact on cognitive functioning. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to
outline these conditions. However, it is important that clinicians be aware that chronic conditions involving the cardiovascular and
endocrine systems, kidney and liver function, neurological disorders, some autoimmune disorders, neurotoxin exposure and some
infectious diseases all carry with them risks of neuropsychological impairments. Chronic sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and
insomnia can also affect cognitive function. Having an awareness of a client’s medical history is fundamental to understanding their
cognitive difficulties.
Physical Symptoms of Cognitive Problems
 Cognition problems often manifest in the form of visible outward symptoms. The affected person may appear dazed and confused, and
their eyes may have a glazed appearance. Motor coordination is often affected in both neurological and psychological cognitive
disorders, and the person may have unusual mannerisms or simply a lack of balance and normal posture.
Emotional Symptoms of Cognitive Problems
 Cognitive problems manifest in a variety of ways, with emotional imbalance being one of the most common symptoms. Cognitive
impairment is frustrating, and those suffering from it often react with emotional outbursts, making it difficult for friends and family to
help. Others may push people away in an attempt to isolate themselves, only making the problem worse. Other cognitive disorders
have the opposite effect, causing the person to have dulled or non-existent emotions.
What Are the Signs of Cognitive Disorder?
Cognitive disorder signs vary according to the particular disorder, but some common signs and symptoms overlap in most disorders. Some of
the most common signs of cognitive disorder include:
 Confusion
 Poor motor coordination
 Loss of short-term or long-term memory
 Identity confusion
 Impaired judgment
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cognitive Instability
Cognitive instability comes with both short- and long-term effects. Some common short-term effects include memory loss, a state of confusion
and a lack of coordination. Long-term effects include the increasing loss of declarative memory, such as forgetting names and significant faces,
and a general lack of emotional stability and control over one’s actions.