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Case 7 - “I Am Fine”

Apathy Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2024

Matthew Gibfried
Affiliation:
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri
George T. Grossberg
Affiliation:
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri
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Summary

Apathy syndrome is a frequently observed condition among older adults, particularly in long-term care environments. Estimates suggest that up to 70% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, 40% of those with Parkinson’s disease, and 38% of those with late-life depression may experience symptoms of apathy. Apathy syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by a lack of motivation, interest, or emotional responsiveness. It involves a reduced or diminished ability to initiate and sustain goal-directed behavior, leading to a general indifference or disinterest in one’s surroundings, activities, or social interactions. Some studies have shown improvement in apathy syndrome with methylphenidate.

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Chapter
Information
Clinical Case Studies in Long-Term Care Psychiatry
Navigating Common Mental Health Challenges in Geriatric Care
, pp. 28 - 32
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

References

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Further Reading

Dickson, S. S., & Husain, M. (2022) Are there distinct dimensions of apathy? The argument for reappraisal. Cortex, 149, 246256. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2022.01.001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

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  • “I Am Fine”
  • Matthew Gibfried, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri, George T. Grossberg, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri
  • Book: Clinical Case Studies in Long-Term Care Psychiatry
  • Online publication: 31 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108630344.008
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  • “I Am Fine”
  • Matthew Gibfried, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri, George T. Grossberg, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri
  • Book: Clinical Case Studies in Long-Term Care Psychiatry
  • Online publication: 31 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108630344.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • “I Am Fine”
  • Matthew Gibfried, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri, George T. Grossberg, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri
  • Book: Clinical Case Studies in Long-Term Care Psychiatry
  • Online publication: 31 October 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108630344.008
Available formats
×