Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned neurocognitive disorder. Explain the evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned neurocognitive disorder. Identify the risks of different types of therapy and explain how the benefits of the therapy that might be achieved might outweigh the risks. Support your rationale with references to the learning resources or other academic resources.

Neurocognitive disorders (NCD) such as delirium, dementia, and amnestic disorders are more prevalent in older adults. As the population ages and as life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, the incidence of these disorders will continue to increase. Cognitive functioning such as memory, language, orientation, judgment, and problem-solving are affected in clients with NCDs. Caring for someone with a neurocognitive disorder is not only challenging for the clinician but also stressful for the family. The PMHNP needs to consider not only the client but also the “family as the client.” Collaboration with primary care providers and specialty providers is essential. Anticipatory guidance also becomes extremely important. In this Discussion, you will integrate several sources of knowledge specific to NCDs as you discuss evidence-based therapies used to treat these disorders. Learning Objectives Students will:  Analyze diagnostic criteria for neurocognitive disorders  Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for neurocognitive disorders. Evaluate the benefits and risks of neurocognitive therapies  Compare differential diagnostic features of neurocognitive disorders

References

Oltra-Cucarella, J., Pérez-Elvira, R., Espert, R., & Sohn McCormick, A. (2016). Are cognitive interventions effective in Alzheimer’s disease? A controlled meta-analysis of the effects of bias. Neuropsychology, 30(5), 631–652. doi:10.1037/neu0000283

Hopkins, S. A. A., & Chan, D. (2016). Key emerging issues in frontotemporal dementia. Journal of Neurology, 263(2), 407–413. 

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

Chapter 21, “Neurocognitive Disorders” (pp. 694–741)