Huntington’s Disease -a rare, inherited diseases that causes the Huntingtons
progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain.
PHYSICAL IMPACTS disease
• Due to faulty genes, toxic proteins collect in the brain and
cause brain damage - the part of the brain most affected PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS
by HD is a group of nerve cells at the base of the brain • Personality changes is an early indicator before the onset of physical
known collectively at the basal ganglia which organise problems - common signs are a lack of will and interest in life as well as
muscle-driven movements of the body, or “motor anger and irritability or mood swings
movement” - as it is a degenerative disease this worsens • Depression in common - over 50% of people with HD develop depression
over time • Cognitive functioning is affected - memory problems, difficulty
• Physical effects include stumbling and clumsiness and concentrating and slower thought processes result form neurological
the development of rapid, jerky, uncontrolled movements damage
of the arms, legs, head, face and upper body, referred to as • The individual may feel lonely and isolated especially as the condition
‘chorea’ progresses and communication with others becomes difficult
• Slow or abnormal eye movements, difficulty with the • The individual may feel very anxious, worried and afraid as the
physical production of speech or swallowing and progression of the disease is inevitable
breathing problems • The individual may develop a negative self-concept and have low self-
• People with HD experience problems sleeping esteem
• Loss of appetite and weight loss occurs • The individual may feel emotionally insecure and vulnerable
• People with HD usually die about 15-20 years after their • May feel a burden on others
symptoms first appear - the cause of death is not the • May worry about children inheriting the condition
disease itself but complications such as pneumonia, heart • May feel disempowered, a sense of no control over what is happening
failure or infection developing from the body’s weaken
condition
SOCIAL IMPACTS
• Individuals may withdraw from social activities as a
result of their physical and mental problems
• May find it difficult to develop and maintain
friendships due to erratic behaviour in social situations,
e.g. outburst of aggression
• may lack interest in social interaction with others as a
symptom of the disease is apathy (lack of interest,
enthusiasm or concern)
progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain.
PHYSICAL IMPACTS disease
• Due to faulty genes, toxic proteins collect in the brain and
cause brain damage - the part of the brain most affected PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS
by HD is a group of nerve cells at the base of the brain • Personality changes is an early indicator before the onset of physical
known collectively at the basal ganglia which organise problems - common signs are a lack of will and interest in life as well as
muscle-driven movements of the body, or “motor anger and irritability or mood swings
movement” - as it is a degenerative disease this worsens • Depression in common - over 50% of people with HD develop depression
over time • Cognitive functioning is affected - memory problems, difficulty
• Physical effects include stumbling and clumsiness and concentrating and slower thought processes result form neurological
the development of rapid, jerky, uncontrolled movements damage
of the arms, legs, head, face and upper body, referred to as • The individual may feel lonely and isolated especially as the condition
‘chorea’ progresses and communication with others becomes difficult
• Slow or abnormal eye movements, difficulty with the • The individual may feel very anxious, worried and afraid as the
physical production of speech or swallowing and progression of the disease is inevitable
breathing problems • The individual may develop a negative self-concept and have low self-
• People with HD experience problems sleeping esteem
• Loss of appetite and weight loss occurs • The individual may feel emotionally insecure and vulnerable
• People with HD usually die about 15-20 years after their • May feel a burden on others
symptoms first appear - the cause of death is not the • May worry about children inheriting the condition
disease itself but complications such as pneumonia, heart • May feel disempowered, a sense of no control over what is happening
failure or infection developing from the body’s weaken
condition
SOCIAL IMPACTS
• Individuals may withdraw from social activities as a
result of their physical and mental problems
• May find it difficult to develop and maintain
friendships due to erratic behaviour in social situations,
e.g. outburst of aggression
• may lack interest in social interaction with others as a
symptom of the disease is apathy (lack of interest,
enthusiasm or concern)
