Organic Brain Syndrome

Organic Brain Syndrome is an almost obsolete term that is refers to physical disorders of the brain caused by physical trauma, substance abuse, infections, pain or other physical problems that effects functioning; thought, speech, physical coordination, etc. The term "organic" is used to differentiate this type of brain-based problem from "functional" or psychiatric problems that are the result of mental illness or personality disorders.

This type of disorder is also divided into three forms; acute, chronic and encephalopathy. Acute refers to sudden, severe symptoms caused by disease or injury while chronic indicates a long-term condition that could be caused by abuse, neglect, physical deprivation (starvation) or severe trauma. Encephalopathy is a process of physical brain disease that starts with acute symptoms, but can then become chronic.