Dementia reduces the brain's ability to interpret and understand information. It also causes memory problems, which can lead to suspicion, paranoia and false ideas. If someone is unaware that their memory is poor, they may create a story or explanation in which someone or something else is blamed.
Most known cases of confabulation are symptomatic of brain damage or dementias, such as an aneurysm, Alzheimer's disease, or Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. Confabulations aren't intentional; the person with dementia genuinely believes the false memory to be true.
Some people with dementia experience hallucinations, in which they see, hear, smell, taste or feel things that are not really there. However, sometimes the person may not be hallucinating but mistaking what they have seen for something else (for example, they may see a dark rug and think it is a hole in the ground).
While confabulated memories involve presenting false information, the person doing so believes that what they are remembering is true. For example, a person with dementia may be able to clearly describe the last time they met with their doctor, even if the scenario they depict never actually happened.
Confabulation is most common in people who have Korsakoff syndrome (a type of dementia often associated with alcohol abuse), but it also has been observed in cases of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
Possible causes
Dementia reduces the brain's ability to interpret and understand information. It also causes memory problems, which can lead to suspicion, paranoia and false ideas. If someone is unaware that their memory is poor, they may create a story or explanation in which someone or something else is blamed.
So, rather than immediately point out errors in their story when the person in question is confabulating, what you can focus on is acknowledging their emotions and joining them in reminiscing about the past. A pre-emptive tool you can use to help when your loved ones are confabulating is a memory book.
Confabulation is caused by brain damage or poor brain function, but researchers are unsure which parts of the brain are at fault. The frontal lobe or the basal forebrain may be involved. Confabulation occurs with several brain disorders. These are some of the most common.
Confabulation can occur with nervous system injuries or illnesses, including Korsakoff's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury. It is believed that the right frontal lobe of the brain is damaged, causing false memories.
Some of the more common triggers for dementia like a change in environment, having personal space invaded, or being emotionally overwhelmed may be easier to handle if you mentally practice your response before you react.
memory problems, particularly remembering recent events. increasing confusion. reduced concentration. personality or behaviour changes.
But most examples of “lying” are dementia symptoms rather than intentional deception. “They're more like an unconscious defense mechanism,” says Kallmyer. Specifically, it's called confabulation – unconsciously replacing lost memories with fabrications.
However, the truth is not always the answer for those with dementia. Lying to dementia patients can be the right way to care for them because: They don't remember the truth and repeatedly telling them or insisting on facts will only cause them distress and pain, especially when it comes to something emotional.
The person's aggressive behaviour may be their response to feeling they're not able to contribute or are not valued by others. Try to encourage the person to have a daily routine and to do as much as they can for themselves. Support them to be as independent as they are able to be.
Consistent lying and making up stories are the primary signs of pathological lying. Typical pathological liar signs in young adults include: Embellishing lies with extensive details. Telling dramatic and highly unlikely stories.
Delusional disorder is a type of mental health condition in which a person can't tell what's real from what's imagined. There are many types, including persecutory, jealous and grandiose types. It's treatable with psychotherapy and medication.
Best Techniques to Reduce Confabulation
Since confabulation is often a response to memory loss, strengthening the patient's memory skills may help reduce incidents of confabulation. Speech therapists and neuropsychologists can teach the person different exercises that will help improve their memory.
[11][12] Confabulations are more commonly associated with Korsakoff syndrome, while delusions more commonly correlate with schizophrenia. That said, both errors in information processing may exist in both disorders.
Confabulations are defined as actions and verbal statements unintentionally incongruous to the patient's history, background, and present and future situation (Dalla Barba and Decaix, 2009).
To Protect Feelings
While some people who lie want to protect the feelings of others and spare someone else pain or hurt, many people lie to protect their own feelings, self-esteem, self-confidence, or other personal emotion.
A person may lie to gain attention or admiration. Other lies may be designed to garner pity or help from others. Even self-harming lies may provide some form of internal gratification. People who lie pathologically may mix falsehoods with the truth to make their lies more credible.
This is normal activity because they enjoy hearing stories and making up stories for fun. These young children may blur the distinction between reality and fantasy. An older child or adolescent may tell a lie to be self-serving (e.g. to avoid doing something or to deny responsibility for their actions).