Is Dementia a Mental Illness?

Erica Curcio overlayed on pressed flower background, is dementia a mental illness and topics covered

Did you know that “over 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia”, according to the World Health Organization? ¹ Yet many still confuse it with mental illness. 

Understanding the difference is important, not just for proper diagnosis and treatment, but for the well-being and dignity of the person experiencing symptoms.

In this blog post, we will explore 
Dementia
Mental Illness
Frequently Asked Questions
How Art Therapy Can Help

What is dementia?

dementia described on top of clay created background

I like the image of an umbrella when describing dementia. It’s a term that describes a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life and activities. The most important thing to be aware of is that it’s not a specific disease. It is a grouping of symptoms that can affect remembering, reasoning and rationalizing. 

There are over 100 different diseases where dementia can be or is a symptom. That number always blows my mind because I’ve seen that most people will say someone has Alzheimer’s and maybe they might mention Mild Cognitive Impairment. In my time working as a Dementia Art Therapist, I’ve knowingly seen 5 dementia-related diseases. 

Some of the more prevalent diseases have been:

  1. Alzheimer’s Disease

  2. Lewy Body Dementia

  3. Parkinson’s Dementia

  4. Vascular Dementia

  5. Frontotemporal Degeneration

Each disease has unique and then overlapping symptoms. 

The overlapping one that the public will know about is short-term memory loss. Other symptoms can include confusion, trouble with sequencing steps to complete a task, movement challenges, trouble with encoding or retrieving new memories, irritability, and loss of language (speaking, reading and understanding).

most diagnosed dementia related disorders with succulent overlay

When I first started working in assisted living settings I didn’t understand the distinctions and naively understood dementia as one classification. Now that I’ve had 12 years in the field and have worked privately with clients for multiple years, I’ve seen how their diseases progress and how to provide art techniques to challenge them and their perceived capabilities. 

What is mental illness?

Mental illness refers to conditions that can affect a person's thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior. These conditions can make it hard for someone to handle everyday activities and interact with others. Mental illnesses are just as real and serious as physical illnesses, and they can affect anyone.²

Like dementia, mental illness is an umbrella term. Under its umbrella falls all the diagnosable disorders that someone could have.”1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder.”4  A good way to view symptoms is that they can have effects on thinking, emotions and behavior in daily life.³

The DSM Diagnostic Statistic Manual is used to aide in diagnosing a mental illness. Some of the more prevalent diagnosis that people have include:

  1. Anxiety

  2. Depression

  3. BiPolar Disorder

  4. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

  5. Schizophrenia 

  6. Eating Disorders

Some of these disorders will have overlapping symptoms, and others will have distinct differentiating symptoms. A client in therapy will answer questions that support their diagnosis. Some therapists will work with clients to figure out, while others may not speak to the diagnosis and more to the whole person. 

As a Licensed Therapist in Boston, I’ve seen clients with a variety of disorders and a variety of symptoms. Therapists are trained to use the DSM to create a diagnosis for and sometimes with their clients that aligns with their client’s symptoms. How this happens can vary based on the therapist's perspective on how therapy should be conducted. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is dementia considered a mental illness?

I think this is a valid question. I think there is a lot of overlap. That overlap creates a muddy picture of what dementia is, can be and/or isn’t. A person experiencing dementia, which starts with changes in their cognitive capabilities, can also have changes in their mood and personality. This is why dementia can “look” like a mental illness. 

It’s really important to speak with a doctor about your symptoms or Loved Ones symptoms. They are going to be the ones to do the testing to provide you with answers. It can be a long road, but stay on that road so you can get the best support and make decisions based off of your doctor’s judgment. 

Is dementia considered a psychotic disorder?

It’s not, but I can understand where you’re coming from asking this. Many people experiencing dementia may exhibit signs of aggression or experience hallucinations. Because of the changes occurring in their brain, you’re going to see changes in their personality or mood. Having a Geriatrician and Neurologist on your team can help with this. They know the best medications to try and eliminate these frightening symptoms. 

Boston Resources:
Geriatricians MGBW

Neurologists MGBW

What are the signs dementia is getting worse?

The person experiencing dementia will start to feel like they’re fading. They may need more help with something they used to do with minimal help. They might need help in the bathroom, assistance with eating, and/or decrease in their mobility (now using a walker or wheelchair). 

Dementia Supportive Services:

Mystic Valley Elder Services

Dementia Care Collaborative

If you’d like to be included here, please fill out a contact form.

Find your care team written over collaged tissue paper background

What dementia supports are there to enhance quality of life?

We would love to help you access mental health support for your Client or Loved One. Our clients routinely state that art therapy has added more than joy to their lives. It’s added dignity and shown them that their person with dementia is more capable than they could have imagined. We are often hired to create art and in the end we change lives and enhance the journey. 

Another great group of resources can be found here:

The Dementia Specialist You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s Stay in Touch

Looking to advance your skills?

We offer Art Therapy and LMHC supervision in Massachusetts.

Fill out a form here if you’re interested in seeking supervision support.

Looking for Art Therapy for your person with dementia?

We come to your home, for your person with dementia! We serve clients in Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Malden, Melrose, Winchester, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, Waltham, Chestnut Hill, the Boston Back Bay and Beacon Hill!

Don’t live in those areas? We now have a space you can come to in Arlington, MA!

Fill out a contact form to learn more and we will be in touch.

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