pseudodementia
Last reviewed 01/2018
This term may be applied to the apparent dementia of an elderly person. However in psychiatry it suggests an extensive disorder with abnormalities of memory and behaviour that mimic organic dementia.
Although the examiner obtains incorrect answers to questions, he may also obtain the impression that the correct answers are in the patient's mind. It is unclear as to now much of this behaviour is deliberately produced.
A similar clinical picture may occur with organic brain disease, epilepsy or schizophrenia.