Our brains are very complex and we are not yet able to fully understand them. It is possible that you are dealing with a brain disorder. An example of this is the frontal syndrome that can arise after trauma or a tumor in the frontal lobes. This has far-reaching consequences for both the person concerned and those around him.
Frontal lobes
Our brain consists of all kinds of lobes, including the frontal lobes. These are located at the front of the large brain hemispheres and are responsible for planning and organization, impulses, behavior and emotions, among other things. A disorder of the frontal lobes therefore has a major impact on daily life.
What is frontal syndrome?
It occurs after the frontal lobes receive a hard blow (for example in a traffic accident or heavy fall on the head). It can also be caused by a cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction (CVA). The consequences of this cannot be predicted in advance and manifest themselves in various areas, such as cognitive and social areas. In some we also notice a change in behavior and personality.
The changes on a cognitive level
People with frontal syndrome have difficulty remembering, planning and organizing things. Mental flexibility changes and they can only perform simple tasks. It can be very difficult for someone to concentrate on a particular task for a long time. The mood can be very variable: one moment extremely cheerful and the next moment extremely depressed. The mood can suddenly change without, to the others, there seems to be any reason for it.
The changes in behavior
People with frontal syndrome can sometimes react very unpredictably. Their actions can range from fully cooperative to aggressive or they may be lucid one moment and very confused the next.
Changes in personality
Their entire personality seems to have changed and they are no longer the same person they were before the condition. A well-known example of this is the 26-year-old man from Wales who had an unfortunate fall while exercising. He broke off the relationship with his girlfriend and now lives with a man. It is also possible to have different interests than before and even a career change is not unthinkable.
How is the diagnosis arrived at?
First, an anamnesis is taken and important questions are asked such as: How did this behavior manifest itself? How long has this been present? What did the patient do before? CT and/or MRI can be used to determine whether there is a lesion in the brain. If necessary, a neuropsychological examination can be conducted that measures cognitive functions. Afterwards, the results are discussed and a diagnosis is made.
Is there a treatment for frontal syndrome?
There is no treatment for frontal syndrome. One can only try to suppress the symptoms through medication, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, etc. Often there is also other injury associated with this condition (think of rehabilitation after a traffic accident or CVA) for which physiotherapy and occupational therapy are required. gets.
How do you deal with people with frontal syndrome?
- Above all, remember that they do not always understand the seriousness of the situation and that their cognitive functions may be impaired. They live in the present and do not always realize what has happened or will happen in the future. It is therefore important to provide a lot of structure and clarity.
- Do not provoke arguments or conflicts and avoid situations that could cause a trigger.
- Also ensure a stable and low-stimulus environment where the person concerned can relax.
- Explain clearly what is expected of tasks and make adjustments if necessary (e.g. eating the meal). Explain everything slowly and step by step, don’t expect him or her to remember everything and remain calm in repeating the steps.
- It all takes longer to complete the tasks and one may be confronted with feelings of frustration, powerlessness or even fear (fear of failure, reactions of others, etc.).
- Try not to come across as forceful at that moment, do not react emotionally, but remain calm. It can help to do something different if the situation threatens to get out of hand.
Finally
A frontal syndrome changes the life not only of the person involved but also of those close to him. A multidisciplinary team is always ready to assist the person involved and those around him as much as possible. It is completely normal if you have questions and do not hesitate to ask them. It is important that one receives sufficient support from the multidisciplinary team to learn to deal with the new situation.
