Bringing together treatment and referral advice from existing guidelines, this text aims to improve access to services and recognition of common mental health disorders in adults and provide advice on the principles that need to be adopted to develop appropriate referral and local care pathways.
The introduction of antipsychotic agents in the 1950’s substantially improved the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. However, clinical and functional outcomes are still far less than optimal for patients, and have not improved in recent years despite the development of several new antipsychotics. Efficacy rates are further compromised by medication non-adherence, which has been reported to affect more than half of patients. In response to these issues, several non-pharmacological interventions have been developed for the treatment of schizophrenia, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, social cognition training and metacognitive approaches. Although these interventions have produced promising results, there is still much controversy regarding their usefulness and applicability in clinical practice. A major impeding factor for their dissemination is possibly a lack of sufficient evidence regarding their specific indications, mechanisms of action, adverse effects, but also practical issues concerning the interpretability of respective clinical studies, such as the choice of outcome variables and control of confounding factors. The present Research Topic includes original research articles and reviews addressing these issues.
This authoritative, clinically relevant resource offers state-of-the-art discussions on the current status of geriatric psychopharmacology-furnishing an empirically based approach to the treatment of psychiatric disorders in elderly patients and focusing on the management of specific illnesses. Examines the pharmacological treatment of depression in conjunction with other conditions, including heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and dementia! Written by more than 20 internationally recognized experts representing distinguished institutions in the United States and Europe, Geriatric Psychopharmacology reviews the pharmacokinetics of psychotropic drugs and neurochemistry during the aging process analyzes therapeutic approaches to psychotic depression, major depression, and bereavement-related depression describes anticonvulsant and lithium therapy for bipolar disorder and lithium toxicity in older patients details the treatment of late-life psychosis and psychosis in Parkinson's disease explains therapeutic approaches for anxiety, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as the role of sedative-hypnotics addresses the neuroleptic and nonneuroleptic treatment of dementia and more!
This title sets out clear recommendations for healthcare staff, based on the best available evidence, on how to diagnose and manage both children and adults who have ADHD to significantly improve their treatment and care.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) has made a huge global, clinical impact since its inception, and this landmark book is the first to draw all the published research together in one place. Edited by experts in the intervention, including members of the workgroup who initially developed the therapy, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia features contributions from authors across the globe, providing a broad overview of the entire research programme. The book demonstrates how CST can significantly improve cognition and quality of life for people with dementia, and offers insight on the theory and mechanisms of change, as well as discussion of the practical implementation of CST in a range of clinical settings. Drawing from several research studies, the book also includes a section on culturally adapting and translating CST, with case studies from countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Sub-Saharan Africa. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia will be essential reading for academics, researchers and postgraduate students involved in the study of dementia, gerontology and cognitive rehabilitation. It will also be of interest to health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, nurses and social workers.
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, also known as velo-cardio-facial syndrome and DiGeorge syndrome, is relatively new. The genetic test to determine if a child has it has only been available since 1994. Educating Children with Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, and DiGeorge Syndrome, Third Edition, effectively blends the thoughtful research that has transpired within the past 25 years with practical and current educational strategies to better meet the needs of children with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and other developmental disabilities. With its expanded content, as well as new contributions from some of the most highly regarded experts in the field, Educating Children with Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, and DiGeorge Syndrome, Third Edition is an essential resource for teachers, parents, physicians, and therapists of children with this complicated learning profile. To first address the scientific information that is needed to understand the syndrome and the implications of current research, expert contributors present the results of current studies involving brain abnormalities, language/learning profiles, medical needs, and psychiatric and behavioral difficulties. These valuable chapters are written in a reader-friendly manner to help parents, professionals, and teachers gain useful and necessary comprehension of the unique characteristics of the 22q11.2DS population. The second part of the book is a practical guide to educating a child with 22q11.2DS from birth through adulthood. Divided into the various stages of development from preschool to adulthood, it includes information regarding the necessary tests special education teams should run, typical difficulties associated with learning, changes that occur with ability as the child matures, and behavioral problems in the school setting. New to the Third Edition: * Addition of recent research studies since 2012 * Current research and treatment options for mental health issues * Expanded and enhanced coverage of bullying and the social/emotional aspects of the syndrome * Discussion on the possibility of cognitive decline and how to address this at school * More information on Common Core State Standards and standardized testing for children with disabilities, including a section on understanding test scores * Homeschooling and other placement alternatives * Executive functioning deficits, their impact in the classroom, and approaches to use * Dealing with problem behaviors such as withdrawal and school refusal * Cognitive remediation and new treatment strategies * New math and reading remediation techniques * New options for programming and post-secondary placements
As the largest generation in U.S. history - the population born in the two decades immediately following World War II - enters the age of risk for cognitive impairment, growing numbers of people will experience dementia (including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias). By one estimate, nearly 14 million people in the United States will be living with dementia by 2060. Like other hardships, the experience of living with dementia can bring unexpected moments of intimacy, growth, and compassion, but these diseases also affect people's capacity to work and carry out other activities and alter their relationships with loved ones, friends, and coworkers. Those who live with and care for individuals experiencing these diseases face challenges that include physical and emotional stress, difficult changes and losses in their relationships with life partners, loss of income, and interrupted connections to other activities and friends. From a societal perspective, these diseases place substantial demands on communities and on the institutions and government entities that support people living with dementia and their families, including the health care system, the providers of direct care, and others. Nevertheless, research in the social and behavioral sciences points to possibilities for preventing or slowing the development of dementia and for substantially reducing its social and economic impacts. At the request of the National Institute on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Reducing the Impact of Dementia in America assesses the contributions of research in the social and behavioral sciences and identifies a research agenda for the coming decade. This report offers a blueprint for the next decade of behavioral and social science research to reduce the negative impact of dementia for America's diverse population. Reducing the Impact of Dementia in America calls for research that addresses the causes and solutions for disparities in both developing dementia and receiving adequate treatment and support. It calls for research that sets goals meaningful not just for scientists but for people living with dementia and those who support them as well. By 2030, an estimated 8.5 million Americans will have Alzheimer's disease and many more will have other forms of dementia. Through identifying priorities social and behavioral science research and recommending ways in which they can be pursued in a coordinated fashion, Reducing the Impact of Dementia in America will help produce research that improves the lives of all those affected by dementia.
Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a baffling, troubling, and hard to treat phenomenon that has increased markedly in recent years. Key issues in diagnosing and treating NSSI adequately include differentiating it from attempted suicide and other mental disorders, as well as understanding the motivations for self-injury and the context in which it occurs. This accessible and practical book provides therapists and students with a clear understanding of these key issues, as well as of suitable assessment techniques. It then goes on to delineate research-informed treatment approaches for NSSI, with an emphasis on functional assessment, emotion regulation, and problem solving, including motivational interviewing, interpersonal skills, CBT, DBT, behavioral management strategies, delay behaviors, exercise, family therapy, risk management, and medication, as well as how to successfully combine methods.
Dementia, now known as major neurocognitive disorder, is not one monolithic disease. Nor is behavior disturbance driven by one particular neurocognitive dysfunction. In fact if we are able to understand it, behavior is an excellent form of nonverbal communication. There are many different causes of dementia. A major challenge with both researching and implementing interventions is viewing dementia and related behaviors as single entities. This approach leaves room for critical errors in the treatment of dementia patients, beginning with misdiagnosis. This book approaches dementia by reviewing cognitive and functional assessments to provide a more accurate diagnosis, which then allows physicians to design specific interventions that are tailored to the person and their challenges. Because person centered care is vital to quality of life and longevity to an aging patient, this understanding of individual needs is vital. Written by experts in the field, this book incorporates the latest evidence-based behavioral interventions matched to specific deficits. Behavioral management focuses not on controlling behavior, but using it to teach staff and caregivers how to interpret common actions and maximize function for people with major neurocognitive disorders. Quality of life and individualized care planning will be the theme and the book will provide practical case examples. The book begins by introducing dementia and other neurocognitive illnesses, contextualizing them both historically and contemporarily. Next, the text focuses on the comprehensive assessment of a person with neurocognitive challenges in order to identify strengths and understand what the person is trying to communicate with their behavior. This process allows individualized care planning and behavioral (non-pharmacologic) management to meet the cognitive challenges and maximize individual strengths and thereby improve outcomes, making this a cutting edge resource.
