Transtornos psiquiátricos em cuidadores de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer: revisão de literatura

Abstract

The rate of people with dementia increases with senility. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. Its characterized by early episodic memory impairment; other cognitive deficits follow amnesia and define the dementia stage of the disease. The patient becomes progressively unable to perform activities of daily life (work, leisure, social life), and to take care of himself (take care of personal care, dressing, eating up). The gradual loss of autonomy implies consequent increase in care needs and dependency of a caregiver. The presence of caregivers allows better quality of life for the patients and delays the need for nursing homes. This paper aims to conduct a non-systematic literature review about psychiatric disorders (particularly depression and anxiety), which focus on caregivers of patients with AD. The main question is: Which factors may influence or be predictors of Psychiatric Disorders among caregivers of patients with AD? We found that anxiety and depression were the most prevalent Psychiatric disorders among caregivers. Some characteristics of caregivers and patients (mostly behavioral disorders) may influence the onset of disorders.