The Behavioral Changes Associated with Huntington's disease
Will the same behavioral changes occur in every person with HD?
Behavioral changes vary significantly among individuals with HD. For some, the behavioral symptoms are mild and have little impact on social functioning. For others, the behaviors severely disrupt family life as well as social relationships and may play a role in the decision of whether or not to place the person with HD in a care facility. Behavioral changes are a major aspect of HD; however, they have received little attention from scientists and researchers. This may be partially due to the variability of type and severity of behavioral symptoms.
In the largest and most comprehensive study to date on the behavioral symptoms of HD, Crauford, Thompson and Snowden (2001) confirmed that behavioral symptoms are common among patients with HD. The data indicated that the most common behavioral change that occurs as a result of HD is apathy. 70% of participants reported apathetic behaviors such as loss of energy and initiative as well as poor quality of work. Impaired judgment, poor self-care and a blunting of emotions were reported only slightly less than apathy and were placed into the category of “apathy” during further analysis of the data. Reported by 50% of the participants, depression, anxiety and irritability were less common behavioral symptoms. Less than 5% of the participants reported hallucinations or delusions.
The data obtained in this study also indicate that HD may result to some extent in altered sexuality. For 62% of participants, reduced or absent sexual desire was a reported behavioral change. Just 5% and 6% of participants reported disinhibited and inappropriate sexual behaviors, respectively. For more information regarding altered sexuality as a result of HD and links to other useful resources, click here.
Last Modified: 1-01-03
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