Neuropsychology

Neuropsychological services at the Booth Gardener Parkinson's Care Center include diagnosis and treatment of problems relating to thinking skills (also called cognition) and psychological difficulties (such as anxiety or depression).

Conditions that affect the brain often impact:

• Judgment
• Impulsivity
• Memory
• Attention

In turn , these can create changes in personality and one's ability to manage emotions. Very often, the problems are not distinctly neurological or psychological; the difficulties can meld into changes that are difficult to understand and treat.

Neurological Testing

Neuropsychologists utilize various scientifically developed tests to measure a person's cognitive (thinking) strengths and weaknesses. This testing may be relatively brief or may involve many hours.

Very often, the testing can help determine whether emotional factors (such as depression or anxiety) are causing problems with thinking and motivation. Of course, sometimes these problems may be due to problems with brain functioning and will be treated accordingly.

The neuropsychological testing evaluations can help with designing treatment plans, choosing the best medications, recommending job accommodations, and help to establish appropriate expectations for an individual.

Psychological Services

Psychological services may be provided by a combination of our social worker, psychologists and neuropsychologists. Common treatments include:

• Adjusting to the diagnosis
• Providing support and education regarding expectations for the future
• Maintaining one's identity after diagnosis
• Management of anxiety.

Many individuals find support groups helpful, but others may want or need individualized attention. Family members often need as much or more help than those diagnosed with neurological difficulties. Although symptoms of depression are fairly common when diagnosed with a neurological or medical condition, psychological services can be helpful to help minimize the severity and duration of these symptoms.

Neuropsychologists

The neuropsychologist is a doctoral-level clinical psychologist who has attended at least two years of additional post-doctoral fellowship training relating neurological difficulties. The neuropsychologist is especially qualified to understand and treat problems that arise when the brain is affected by a variety of neurological problems.