General Discussion
Organic Personality Syndrome or Organic Mental Syndrome is a mental disorder characterized by a short-term or long-term personality disturbance largely due to brain dysfunction. The ability to reason, remember, imagine, and learn may not be affected, but the individual's judgement may be so poor that continual supervision may be necessary. Left unattended, he or she may behave in ways that could cause difficult or dangerous problems.

Symptoms
In Organic Personality Syndrome, behavior changes and character traits are either exaggerated or at least different from usual. Symptoms usually show themselves in one of three basic patterns depending on the nature and location of the brain dysfunction.

The first and most common pattern is characterized by emotional instability, faulty social judgement, possible belligerence and/or an over-reactive temper. The person may engage in inappropriate social behavior without regard for the consequences (e.g. sexual indiscretions). The second pattern may include significant signs of apathy and indifference. The person has no concern for, or interest in, his or her immediate environment or former customary hobbies. Both of these patterns may be caused by damage to the frontal lobes of the brain (frontal lobe syndromes). The third pattern of behavior, seen in some disorders affecting the temporal lobe, is marked by a strong tendency to be humorless and overly redundant in both speech and writing, and, not infrequently, by overzealous religious devotion. Occasionally, the person may show extreme rage. One of the major changes in this behavior may be unreasonable suspiciousness or paranoid ideas. If the main symptom is outbursts of aggression or rage, the patient may be labeled as an "Explosive Type".

Causes
There are several possible causes for Organic Personality Syndrome. Frequently it is the consequence of structural brain damage from neoplasms (tumors), head trauma, or cerebrovascular disease involving the upper part of the brain and its blood vessels. Less commonly, it may be caused by endocrine disorders such as thyroid and adrenocortical (outer part of adrenal gland) disease, or by ingesting certain psychoactive substances (drugs that affect the mind or behavior). The syndrome may be of short duration if caused by medications, drug abuse, or certain types of tumors that are surgically removed. It may be of long duration if it is secondary to structural brain damage.

Affected Populations
Organic Personality Syndrome is a prevalent disorder that affects males and females of all ages in equal numbers. It is often a symptom of an underlying disease or condition.

Sound like someone you all know and love?

Vicky
diagnosed 5/2007

This will be useful to all of us in understanding reactions and seemingly volatile behaviour patterns.We should all try to step back a little and take a long deep breath before replying to a post which seems personal,or hurtful...confrontational or otherwise.After all,most of us on here are ill with a brain dysfunction...not a broken leg!!!
I hope this makes for more harmony Vicky.
Thank you for allowing us a glimpse at what must be a frustrating condition.And I hope this doesn`t come over as patronising.It is certainly not meant to be.
Take care
Steff

Since I've spent the day giggling, I couldn't be serious enough to reply. And I do have a question. How long has that named condition been around? I guess it's all a matter of degree then? I see many people and myself as well in the description at one time or another. I can see it fitting in very well with the genetic information and the new definition of PD.

Thanks for opening the door.

paula

This syndrome/disorder has been around at least 9 years that I know of. 9 years ago, one of my sons was in a horrific motorcycle accident where he suffered a severe brain injury. One of the many problems he was left with is
"organic affective disorder" which Vicky's post has discribed to a tee. I saw my son in every sentence nearly. OAD is cruel and devastating. Major understanding, patience, and gentleness is paramount when dealing with an individual afflicted with Organic Affective Disorder.

Caya

Thank you Caya, this is new to me and that helped too.

Good grief that was the shortest memory lapse yet. I completely forgot what you said about your son by hitting reply as the distraction...scary.....that seems cruel caya....to have that happen to your child. I'm very sorry to read that.

paula

Thanks Vicky! Yeah, that sounds like my hubby!

Seriously now, the term "Organic Personality Syndrome" is so imprecise and vague that it leaves you clue-less and uninterested when you see it. If it's a personality disturbance syndrome, couldn't they just call it that?

In fact I hadn't read that post until now, because the name of the syndrome struck me as something totally made up by this new generation of psychiatrists and scientists, you know... those who are re-naming every disease and acting as if they had discovered the gun powder. How DO they come up with these names?

I know what you mean.On first reading it does sound rather "unbelievable" but I checked it out as I wanted to explore a little more and sure enough it is right there...and seemingly unpleasant.Unless all these health websites are trying to lead us all a merry dance...[which I am sure they are not] then it is to be taken seriously.

However...[and Vicky...I mean this as no disrespect to you and I`m not trying to demean you or undermine this thread] but my whacky sense of humour just kicked in as I was poNdering on what you said Theresa about how they get these names.

And I am just so glad it was a Mr Parkinson,and NOT a Mr Pratt...or Mr R . Sole who had discovered OUR disease.

"What exactly is wrong with you then Steffi?"
"Well er...it`s like this...I have what you call ARSEHOLE DISEASE!!!! "

Whoops..time to crawl back in my lavatorial hole...OH...HOLE !!!

Hugs Vicky...keep smiling

I just shut my pc down after my reply,got to my back door and BLING!!!

Had to return to say...
if that were the case..the Mr R.- Sole thing...then we could follow it up with Birte`s favourite exclamation;

ISN`T LIFE A BUMMER !!!



OK...sooooooooooooo not funny.

Back again to the sewers.

x

You're sooo funny, Steffi!

...yes...it has been said but not in the same light as you probably meant it. lol

I have had to reply as I want to say to Vicky,...please continue to share this with us if you feel you can. It must be a tough one to deal with and I guess the more we know,the closer we come to understanding ...and being supportive when and if you need it.My humour is meant in the kindest of spirits.

Oh..a teeny little bird has just hopped into my cottagey kitchen...and my ST Bernard.... is ..........DROOLING!!!! oh bugger! GOT TO GO!

x