SERVICES:  CLINICAL

Neuropsychological services are considered in the context of the overall psychological welfare of the person.

There are common emotional responses and adjustments to brain disorder-  and in some instances symptoms of depression and anxiety can result in memory dysfunction that is reversible through treatment, leading to improvements in quality of life and function.

Depression.

Symptoms of depression can sometimes “mimic” or look like a dementia due to brain disorder, and it is important to carefully consider how mood can impact a persons function with their memory, coping with life and relationships. 

Consideration of this is important, as this can be treated via supportive counseling, “cognitive behavioural therapy”, and in some circumstances by referral to a medical specialist to consider a course of medication alongside psychological support.

Depression can be a response to diagnosis of a stroke or physical disorder resulting in cognitive impairment, or arise with the impact from traumatic brain injury due to accident or misfortune.  Care is provide to be alert to this and to provide advice to the person and their family about the means to cope and recover.

Anxiety Disorders

Similar to depression, Anxiety Disorders can result in a person worrying that they have a dementia, brain disorder or other condition- where clear diagnosis and advice can lead to appropriate treatment.  Sometimes the symptoms can arise due to physical disorder, and so medical assessment or review might be required- where again this can result in appropriate care.

Panic Disorder is another form of particular anxiety disorder, where in the absence of a physical cause for the symptoms, psychological treatment with “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy” is effective in producing control and alleviation of symptoms, by educating the person themselves about the mechanisms involved and specific strategies regarding how to cope. 

Anxiety can be a natural part of life and being human- but it is when it takes over and reduces the quality and participation in life where it requires attention. 

Anxiety management strategies are also important for the care of individuals who have been diagnosed with brain impairment.

Substance Use Disorders

Substance use can be a means of coping with psychological distress, during periods of stress alongside particular stages and challenges in life, as well as with coping with medical illness and physical pain.  Sometimes this can be related to personality style and coping. 

Effects on cognitive, emotional and behavioural function can be caused by substances such as:

1. ✦  alcohol 
   

2. ✦  marijuana,
   

3. ✦  amphetamines,
   

4. ✦  hallucinogens,
   

5. ✦  opiates,
   

6. ✦  and following dependence on prescribed medications.
   

In some circumstances, this can also directly lead to specific forms of brain dysfunction impacting the persons ability to think, memory recall, impulse control, reasoning and judgement, emotional function and behaviour. 

Neuropsychological assessment and advice can help clarify the impacts of substance abuse, monitor changes once their has been treatment and reduction or cessation of use, although in some circumstances substance abuse carries the risk of permanent brain impairment. 

Substance use can have very significant impacts on an individuals emotional state, their coping in daily life and work, and in their relationships.

Advice is provided regarding the impact of substance use, and how to appropriately manage and cope with the consequences of this for the individual.

Psychoses

Psychosis occurs due to many reasons, and is not often talked about due to particular fear and stigma.  

Psychosis can be transient due to physical causes, such as the effects of infection, medication or substances- although the symptoms can be psychologically destabilising for the person experiencing them at the time.  Symptoms disappear once the cause has been attended to, or resolved.

At other times, psychosis can arise as a consequence of more long-standing psychiatric disorder, where sometimes this can be mis-taken for brain injury.  Clarification of diagnosis allows for appropriate treatment to stabilise and improve the person’s condition.  Neuropsychological advice can be useful in considering the impact of such disorder on the persons function, in order to individually advise about appropriate management strategies and treatment.   Advice can be provided to assist with re-engaging or increasing engagement in life and activities after an acute episode.

Psychosis can occur early in life- or appear to come from nowhere in later life- where the reasons for it can vary depending on the persons age and history.  Age of onset can provide some indication of likely causation.

Sometimes what can appear as a psychosis is related to the effects of brain impairment, where the person forms false explanations or misinterprets events or circumstances.  Neuropsychological opinion and advice can place this into a realistic perspective, alongside consideration of strategies related to how others might respond to what appears as an uncharacteristic behaviour or response.

There are also some unusual neuropsychological disorders where people might not recognise things (eg; faces or people),  mis-perceive things, or have unusual beliefs that can be due to brain dysfunction or decline in the senses.  Neuropsychologists can help clarify such situations and provide an explanation and advice.