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What is neuropsychiatry and the benefits of neuropsychiatry?

BY: Dr. Sagnik Mukherjee (MBBS; MD; MIPS; MIAPP)

Neuropsychiatry

All of us have heard of psychiatry as a branch of medicine that deals with mental disorders. We also know that neurology is the study of the nervous system. What is neuropsychiatry, then? Is it a combination of both the above clinical disciplines? Or is there more to it? Let us do some exploration to learn more.

Neuropsychiatry

Neuropsychiatry is a subset of psychiatry that deals with behavioural neurology. It is a speciality of psychiatry that analyses the complex workings of the cerebral cortex to know the implications of a mental illness on the behaviour of the patient.

To put it simply, in neuropsychiatry, we analyse the behaviour of a patient affected by a neurological condition or brain disorder like epilepsy, stroke, brain tumours, nerve tumours, traumatic brain injury, etc. This is the reason why neuropsychiatry is also called behavioural neurology.

The effects of neurological disorders on behavioural health

About 30% of the patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorder develop depression after the illness. This depression can not only affect brain function but also cause feelings of self-destruction or death.

Most of us fail to realize that such suicidal thoughts can arise probably due to neurodegenerative conditions. Neuropsychiatry patients need immediate intervention from a professional psychiatrist to prevent such negative thoughts and avoid suicide attempts

Understanding the process of neuropsychiatry

To understand how neuropsychiatry works, let us learn more about its procedure step-by-step. It all starts with a thorough or complete physical examination of the patient. Then, comes the neurological consultation.

Then, the patient has to undergo a series of neurocognitive tests and psychological evaluations. These tests aim to assess the personality, thought and behaviour patterns, and the feelings or emotions of the affected individual. The tests also measure the patient’s cognitive ability, memory and attention span, and response time.

Neuropsychiatric consultation

Typically, a neurologist or a psychiatrist recommends consultation with a neuropsychiatrist. This consultation may even last up to 2 days depending on the nature of the condition.

After conducting a series of tests or examinations and tests, the neuropsychiatrist makes a list of the neurological symptoms. He then grades and gives a rating based on the severity of the symptoms. Based on this rating, he chalks out a treatment plan

Types of Mentally-challenged individuals for whom Neuropsychiatry is a must

Persons with the following neurocognitive disorders or neurodegenerative disorders compulsorily need neuropsychiatry.

  • Behavioural or mood swing problems like bipolar disorder, mania, depression, and rage.
  • Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
  • Neurocognitive issues like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Psychosis due to neurological problems like epilepsy, brain tumours, lupus, and traumatic brain injury.
  • Seizures due to stroke, epilepsy, etc.
  • Sleeping disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, somnambulism, and narcolepsy.
  • Eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, etc.

Reasons why neuropsychiatric consultation is necessary

Neuropsychiatric services are the dire need of the hour for many due to the following reasons to.

Identify psychiatric comorbidities due to neurological issues

Findings of studies reveal that 18% of the victims of traumatic brain injury suffer from some subsequent psychiatric issue. Similarly, neurological patients suffering from epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease have been known to suffer from psychiatric comorbidities. Most of these psychiatric conditions go undiagnosed until a neuropsychiatric consultation is done.

Social adjustment

Individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions find it difficult to adjust to society. They need support from mental health services to help them integrate themselves into society

Rehabilitation of addiction patients

Patients with cannabis use disorder have adverse outcomes that cause neuropsychiatric disorders. To treat and rehabilitate these patients, commissioning neuropsychiatry services is a must as they begin to exhibit depressive symptoms as soon as they abstain from drug or alcohol use.

Treating patients with dementia and acute stroke patients

Clinical diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia does not just end with Structural Imaging, Amyloid PET Imaging, or prescription medication. It requires neuropsychiatric services as follow-up care to prevent them from developing suicidal tendencies. Acute stroke patients tend to develop psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety. To treat them efficiently, neuropsychiatric consultation is a must. The medical benefits of neuropsychiatric disorders are immense as they reduce disease burden and its adverse outcomes. Consulting a neuropsychiatrist is the immediate need of the hour when a patient has a neurological problem. Look for a qualified and experienced neuropsychiatric clinic like Mental Health Research Centre and consult their psychiatrists to get modest but assured benefits.

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