You or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with one of the many neuropsychiatric conditions. Neuropsychiatric conditions can include Parkinson?s Disease, Alzheimers Disease, Dementia, and even some mental health conditions, such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Getting a neuropsychiatric diagnosis can be scary and intimidating. You are probably wondering what this means for you. Will you require additional care? How quickly will the condition develop? What are some things that you can do to slow down the progression and the symptoms? It is important to do your research and to learn of your options when dealing with one of the neuropsychiatric conditions.
Get a second, and maybe a third opinion. Doctors can make mistakes. When dealing with any serious medical condition, it is always useful to seek another medical professional for a second opinion. Sometimes, even getting a third opinion can be helpful. Do your research and make an appointment with a highly recommended and established psychiatric hospital in your area. Attempt to get an appointment with one of the highest doctor at neuropsychiatric hospital. This process may take some time, but is an important step to complete.
Research your condition. Do not rely on medical professionals to tell you about your condition. Neuropsychiatric conditions can vary on symptoms and progression. No one knows your symptoms better than you do. Do your research into the condition. See what others are saying about the condition. Follow any new research or scientific findings. Read about what treatments work and which have negative side effects. You have to manage your case, sometimes even more than your medical professional does.
Engage in activities to reduce your symptoms. There is research to suggest that certain activities can reduce the symptoms of some of the neuropsychiatric conditions. Those who are dealing with Alzheimer?s and Dementia can possibly slow down the progression of memory loss by exercising the brain. This can come in many forms of activities, including crossword puzzles, regular puzzles, reading, art therapy, music lessons, and even visiting local plays. An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer?s disease in 2015. The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 47.5 million and is projected to increase to 75.6 million by 2030. The number of cases of dementia are estimated to more than triple by 2050.
Be open about the diagnosis. Some people may attempt to hide their diagnosis. Hiding a diagnosis does not make it go away, it simply keeps friends and family who can help, in the dark. Family members can be a great resource in helping with mind exercises. They can also be helpful in providing additional assistance when it comes to the symptoms of these neuropsychiatric conditions. Many geriatric neuropsychiatry cases are even kept from the patient themselves. However, if the person is unaware of their diagnosis, they are unable to work on improving the symptoms.
In fact, only 45% of people with Alzheimer?s disease or their caregivers report being told of the diagnosis. Some medical professionals or caregivers may be afraid that it will deter the person?s progress and that a diagnosis can lead to depression, however, there are also consequences to keeping this information from people. The decision is one that should have a lot of thought and consideration.
Neuropsychiatric conditions are common in our country. Every day, people are being diagnosed with a condition that affects their neurology. However, getting a diagnosis does not mean that you do not have any options. When you receive a diagnosis such as Alzheimer?s or Dementia, you should do your research on the diagnosis, consult with multiple medical professionals, and find ways to decrease the symptoms.