features suggestive of pseudodementia

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • short duration of dementia
  • equal effect on long and short term memory
  • amnesia concerning specific events (often events are emotionally charged)
  • often patient will very detailed complaint about memory disturbance
  • patient may highlight failures in answers to questions relating to memory
  • loss of social skills early in the illness
  • patient often will answer "don't know" to questions, as opposed to guessing close answers
  • an emphasis on disabilities
  • patient may make little effort in performing tasks