Someone with anosognosia isn't simply in denial or being stubborn. Their brain can't process the fact that their thoughts and moods don't reflect ...MenuNewsReferenceSlideshowsVideosQuestions&AnswersMedicationsCrisisAssistanceFindaPsychiatristOverview&FactsSymptoms&TypesTests&DiagnosisMedication&TherapyRisks&ComplicationsSupport&ResourcesAnxiety/PanicDisordersBipolarDisorderDrugInteractionCheckerMentalHealthPsychoticDepressionSchizoaffectiveDisorderSchizophreniformDisorderSmokingCessationSchizophreniaReferenceMenuReviewedbySmithaBhandari, MDonOctober20,2020InthisArticleWho'satRiskWhatCausesIt?WhyItMattersTreatmentforAnosognosiaIt'swellknownthatmanypeoplewithaseriousmentalillness,likebipolardisorderorschizophrenia,don'ttaketheirprescribedmedication.Onemajorreasonforthisbehaviorisanosognosia,awordofGreekoriginthatroughlytranslatesto"withoutknowledgeofdisease."Youmayalsohearitcalled"lackofinsight."Whatitboilsdowntoisthatthepersonisunawareoftheirconditionandunabletoacceptit.Someonewithanosognosiaisn'tsimplyindenialorbeingstubborn.Theirbraincan'tprocessthefactthattheirthoughtsandmoodsdon’treflectreality.Who'satRiskAnosognosiaiscommoninpeoplewithseriousmentalillness.Doctorsthinkabout40%ofpeoplewithbipolardisorderand50%ofthosewithschizophreniahaveit.Somepsychiatristsbelievethenumbersareevenhigher.Theyestimatethatanywherefrom57%-98%ofpeoplewithschizophreniahaveit.Manypeoplewithneurologicaldisordershavethiscondition.Itisn’tunusualforsomeonewithAlzheimer'stogetit.Strokepatientsoftendo,too.WhatCausesIt?Expertsthinkanosognosiaresultsfromdamagetoanareaofthebraininvolvedinself-reflection.Everyone,regardlessoftheirhealthstatus,isconstantlyupdatingtheirmentalimageofthemselves.Wheneveryougainnewinformationaboutyourself--say,afteryougetahaircutoraceapresentation--itfactorsintohowyouthinkaboutyourself.It'sanongoing,complexprocess.Inorderforittogosmoothly,yourbrain’sfrontallobehastotakeinthenewinfo,organizeit,useittoedityourself-image,andrememberthatlatestversion.Whenyourbrain’sfrontal