How is it Diagnosed?
Organic mental disorders (OMDs), also referred to as neurocognitive disorders, are
diagnosed through a multi-step evaluation involving clinical assessment,
neuropsychological testing, and neuroimaging. These disorders have a known
physiological basis, such as brain injury, infection, or degenerative disease.
Diagnosis starts with a comprehensive history to identify any underlying medical,
neurological, or substance-related causes. A mental status examination is conducted to
assess cognitive functions such as memory, attention, language, and executive
function. Tools like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive
Assessment (MoCA) provide standardized cognitive screening.
Blood tests are used to rule out metabolic, endocrine, infectious, or nutritional
deficiencies that can mimic or exacerbate mental symptoms (e.g., vitamin B12 deficiency,
thyroid dysfunction). Neuroimaging techniques, such as CT or MRI scans, help detect
structural brain abnormalities like atrophy, infarcts, tumors, or hydrocephalus.
Electroencephalography (EEG) may be useful if seizure activity or encephalopathy is
suspected. In cases of suspected delirium or dementia, careful evaluation of onset,
course, and associated features (e.g., hallucinations, agitation) aids differentiation from
primary psychiatric illnesses.
The diagnosis is guided by DSM-5 criteria for disorders like delirium, dementia (now
termed major neurocognitive disorder), or mild cognitive impairment. Timely diagnosis is
critical as some causes of organic mental disorders are reversible if addressed early.