Which condition is suggested by memory problems but intact attention span and concentration?

Memory problems accompanied by intact attention span and concentration often indicate a cognitive condition that primarily affects memory without impacting other cognitive functions. Pseudodementia is characterized by significant memory impairment typically associated with depressive disorders. Unlike true dementia, where attention and concentration may also decline, individuals with pseudodementia generally retain their ability to focus and concentrate well.

In this context, patients suffering from pseudodementia may express concern over their memory troubles, highlighting the cognitive dysfunction, while demonstrating functional attentiveness and concentration during assessments. This distinction is key, making it clear that memory deficits can arise from psychological causes, as seen with depression, rather than from neurodegenerative processes or other cognitive impairments.

In contrast, delirium often presents with fluctuations in attention and consciousness, making it less compatible with your scenario. Narcissistic Personality Disorder involves maladaptive personality traits rather than cognitive dysfunction, and dissociative amnesia primarily leads to gaps in memory related to personal information, but not typically accompanied by fully intact attention and concentration. Thus, the characteristics of pseudodementia align directly with the symptoms described.