Assessment for Mild Neurocognitive Disorders

Have you heard that early interventions are important for your health? Did you know that sometimes these early interventions only include being screened for mild cognitive impairment? Have you been referred to us for a screening or test to assess you for a mild neurocognitive impairment?

At Thoughtwise, we offer the most modern types of interventions and including initial screening and comprehensive evaluations for neurocognitive impairment, memory impairment, and dementia. For older adults and those age 65 or over, it is important to consider screening for cognitive function, including mild neurocognitive disorders, in order seek intervention as early as possible.

We offer expert recommendations, consultations, and individualized interventions for many presenting concerns, ranging from neurodevelopmental issues to neurodegenerative disease.

What is mild neurocognitive disorder?

A Mild neurocognitive disorder can be compared to the more severe diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder. These disorders can be linked or include a diagnosis of dementia, delirium, Alzheimer’s disease, or may be relevant to many other recognized disorders such as Huntington’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis. However, with mild neurocognitive disorder, the cognitive degeneration has often been identified in the early stages, allowing for early intervention and management strategies that can help prevent it from progressing into a major neurocognitive disorder. Major neurocognitive disorders include what we typically think of as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, although there are many different types and presentations of both mild and major neurocognitive disorders. Mild neurocognitive disorders can be present at any age outside of neurodegenerative disorders, or can effects of longtime drug use or alcohol use.

The American Psychiatric Association describes mild neruocognitive disorder as cognitive decline that goes beyond the scope of normal aging, and requires new strategies and accommodations to help individuals maintain independence and continue to perform the activities of daily life. While there are a wide variety of types of neurocognitive disorders, early assessment and identification is key. This is especially important for mild neurocognitive disorders, since early intervention may be used to prevent symptoms from growing in severity. Taking an assessment can help identify the specific cause of symptoms can allow you to begin a treatment plan that may be able to reduce or prevent symptoms and improve quality of life.

You or your loved one may benefit from undergoing a screening and comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation if you have noticed:

• Any form of cognitive decline.
• Declining sensation or sense of perception.
• Recently struggling with activities of daily living.
• New mental health problems.
• Disturbances in:
• Behaviors
• Emotions
• Cognitive abilities

There are many other factors that may indicate that you or your loved one are affected by a mild neurocognitive disorder, with the above being some of the most common. If you are unsure if you or a loved one may be experiencing a mild neurodegenerative disorder or the normal signs of aging, it is always better to complete a screening so that you can receive the necessary care and accommodations to maintain living independently.

Is there a treatment for mild neurocognitive disorder?

Although there are no specific known treatments that reverse the effects of mild neurocognitive disorders and co-occurring or comorbid disorders, there are important steps that you can take to maximize your health and life satisfaction. We specialize in offering you and the Tallahassee community the neuropsychological testing and therapeutic services you need.

Often a diagnosis of a mild neurocognitive disorder indicates that intervention is necessary. At Thoughtwise, we can provide you a range of evaluations and therapeutic services in which are designed to guide and inform your overall treatment plan to help you to reach your full potential and build protective factors against major deficits of mild neurocognitive disorder.

Quality of life and maintaining strong skill sets are often important factors for individuals with neurodegenerative disroders and are integral in establishing the best outcome after a diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder.

Some of the services that we can offer you that may benefit your health if you may potentially be suffering from a mild neurocognitive disorder include:

• Initial screening for a disorder.
• Comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.
• Ongoing monitoring for changes and individual needs.
• Recommendations and consultation to help you and your family understand the disorder or diagnosis.
• Psychotherapy or 1:1 talk therapy for proper management of the specified neurocognitive disorder.
• Support groups.
• Ongoing therapeutic interventions to increase positive outcomes.

If you are in need of neuropsychological and comprehensive evaluations that test and determine a diagnosis of any mild neurocognitive impairment, it is important to make a plan and prioritize getting a screening. We provide the professional clinical psychology and neuropsychology services, including screenings, assessments, and evaluations that can help you take control of your life and health in the Tallahassee area.

Please contact us about the interventions and other services that we offer to help you improve your overall mental health and brain health.