Topics: Cognitive Decline | Dementia | Geriatric Psychiatry

We’ve all been there. A 63-year-old patient comes to you with a chief complaint of memory loss. She tells you that she has a hard time remembering people’s names and forgets where she puts her keys. She lives and drives on her own without a problem, but asks, “Isn’t there some memory pill I can take?” What advice can we give her?

Topics: Cognitive Decline | Dementia | Geriatric Psychiatry

Screening tests can also help distinguish normal aging from a Neurocognitive Disorder. The popular Mini Mental Status Exam is being replaced by more sensitive tests like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS). Both of these can be completed in 10 minutes and are normed for Mild and Major Neurocognitive Disorders. An abbreviated form of the SLUMS, the Rapid Cognitive Screen, can be administered in 5 minutes.

Topics: PTSD | Sleep Disorders

Insomnia is different in PTSD. Some of that is explained by the symptoms of PTSD, such as nightmares, hyperarousal, anxiety, and physical restlessness. But there’s another thing we’re seeing that isn’t as obvious: sleep apnea.

Topics: Light and Dark Therapy | Sleep Disorders

Jet lag happens when people fly across multiple time zones. The body’s internal clock gets out of sync with the outside signals of sunrise and sunset. The result is insomnia, poor concentration, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Topics: Sleep Disorders | Substance Abuse

Sleep problems are common in recovery, and they have many causes such as withdrawal states, circadian rhythm disruptions, and a host of psychiatric and medical comorbidities. It’s a two-way street: Insomnia raises the risk of substance misuse, and addiction can cause or worsen sleep problems.

Topics: Alcohol Use | Dementia | Geriatric Psychiatry | Research Update

Excessive alcohol use is neurotoxic, but some studies have found that moderate alcohol intake might actually reduce the risk of dementia. Most of these studies, however, have focused on geriatric patients.

Topics: CME Post-Test

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 1 CME credit.