![]() Accordingly, a person affected by dementia, not only has evident deficits in the alert state but also might have an under-stimulated pons and higher cortical structures due to the deficit of neurotransmitters or neuronal connections. Furthermore, in oneirophrenia, during the awakening or last stage of sleep, there is a ‘laziness’ of neuronal stimulation of the pontine centres by part of higher cortical structures. 5 Hence, it is the opinion of the authors of the current article to theorize that during early and advanced dementia, the sleep-wake cycle can become clouded. The possible explanations are speculative as the observed dream-like state during the waking state can only be clarified according to a functional model. 4ĭebatable opinions could support the pathogenesis of chronic oneirophrenia in patients with organic brain damage. However, oneirophrenia has also been described in patients with delirious mania and catatonia. First observed in patients with AIDS Dementia Complex, 3 oneirophrenia has also been found in other forms of dementia, like Alzheimer, and organic brain damage. Furthermore, oneirophrenia can become a chronic condition, like the one observed in dementia and can generate anxiety in patients who cannot adequately experience the reality as such. According to the authors of the current article, when this ability is deficient, oneirophrenia ensues. 2’ More operationally, the ability to assess reality as such and to make a clear distinction of it from a dream or sleep requires a fully functional brain, the absence of substances affecting consciousness, and the lack of confusional states. 1 The Oxford Dictionary of Psychology defines oneirophrenia a ‘dreamlike state of consciousness. The term ‘Oneirophrenia’ describes a state where a person becomes confused about the distinction between reality and dream as if he or she were living in a dream state. ![]()
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