What are the characteristic features of Korsakoff psychosis?

Korsakoff psychosis, often associated with chronic alcoholism and thiamine deficiency, is primarily characterized by retrograde amnesia and confabulation. Retrograde amnesia refers to the inability to recall past events, particularly those that occurred before the onset of the condition. Individuals may lose memories of significant portions of their life, which can be distressing and confusing. Confabulation involves the creation of false memories or stories to fill the gaps in memory. This behavior is not intentional deceit; rather, it arises because the individual is unaware of their memory deficits and unconsciously generates plausible but inaccurate narratives to maintain a semblance of continuity in their personal history.

Other features often observed in Korsakoff syndrome may include disorientation and anterograde amnesia, but the most defining characteristics are indeed the retrograde amnesia and confabulation, making this the correct response. The syndromic presentation of Korsakoff psychosis emphasizes cognitive deficits related to memory, distinguishing it from the other mental health conditions represented in the other options.