A N O S O G N O S I A
Anosognosia, a temporary forgetfulness, by French Professor, Bruno Dor, of the Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease (IMMA),
La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Hospital, Paris.
He addresses the subject in a rather reassuring way:
“If anyone is aware of his memory problems, he does not have Alzheimer’s.”
- I forget the names of families …
- I do not remember where I put some things …
It often happens in people 60 years and older that they complain that they lack memory.
“The information is always in the brain, it is the “processor” that is lacking.”
This is “Anosognosia” or temporary forgetfulness.
Half of people 60 and older have some symptoms that are due to age rather than disease.
The most common cases are:
- forgetting the name of a person,
- going to a room in the house and not remembering why we were going there
- a blank memory for a movie title or actor, an actress,
- a waste of time searching where we left our glasses or keys …
After 60 years most people have such a difficulty, which indicates that it is not a disease but rather a characteristic due to the passage of years .
Many people are concerned about these oversights hence the importance of the following statement:
“Those who are conscious of being forgetful have no serious problem of memory.
“Those who suffer from a memory illness or Alzheimer’s, are not aware of what is happening.”
Professor Bruno Dubois, Director of IMMA, reassures the majority of people concerned about their oversights:
“The more we complain about memory loss, the less likely we are to suffer from memory sickness.”
- your brain is in perfect shape!
- you are far from having any relationship with Alzheimer’s.
So, share this with your over-60 friends, it can reassure them.
deemagclinic
deemagclinic 
Can you please direct me to the definition of Anosognosia as written in your article? Most medical texts (neurological and psychological) will say something different.
Also you quote Dr Bruno Dor and Dr Bruno Dubois of this institution – which one is it?
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I read that Dr. Bruno Dubois said, “If anyone is aware of their memory problems, they do not have Alzheimer’s.” That is very reassuring, however, my mother was diagnosed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. She sought help because she was having memory problems. When diagnosed, she was fully aware of what that meant. Jokes by comedians and thoughtless people about people with Alzheimer’s were hurtful as she was aware that they made light of a tragic disease and that her future was dismal. In the beginning stages, she could look and act normal. My father took her everywhere. She is still alive through great care, but is no longer aware, thank goodness. But one should not assume that person sitting next to them does not have Alzheimer’s or does not know that his/her condition is being laughed at.
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