I noticed someone mentioned a psychiatrist. (Deb, perhaps?)

At the moment my mom has a neurologist treating her. I wondered about the importance of a psychiatrist in all of this. Does she need both?

Thanks for your support and info,
Meg

I'm so glad you asked that. My mom's primary Dr. said she needed a more thorough evaluation from a psychiatrist. Primary Dr. didn't mention a neurologist. Can't wait to see the responses. I don't have an answer for you, sorry. I called several psychiatrists & the soonest we can get in is 7/8. But, maybe I could get in to a neurologist quicker. Looking forward to see what everyone else has done!!!!

Hi Laine,

My mother's primary doctor originally suspected she had AZ but after a few years of prescribing Razadyne for her he sent her to the neurolgist for further evaluation. It was the neurologist who actually diagnosed her after a battery of tests. I don't know what more a psychiatrist could do now at this point but wondered about it. Even if treats her by talking with her, she won't remember what the heck he said anyway. I guess it would be more for medicines.

Meg

Yes, I was the one that mentioned a psychiatrist. Mom was diagnosed by a Memory Assessment Research Service that was part of the local university Psychology department. They did the cognative testing that diagnosed her ALZ and also gave us guidance as to what her specific cognative deficiencies were. She has not been to a neurologist (CT Scan and other test were done by her primary physician and the results sent to the MARS center). I think either a neurologist of psychologist that specializes in dementia can accomplish this.

What Mom is seeing a psychologist for now is to try to balance her antidepression and antipsychotic medications. It is not for psychotherapy. I totally agree that talking is not going to fix anything. I even shook my head a the psychiatrist telling my sister that Mom needed to learn to grieve. At this point she is not going to learn anything. But, after the last altercation between Mom and Dad (they tend to fight and get physical and well as verbal) the facility recommended separating them. My sister would not hear of it so they came up with another plan. There is a sitter that comes in three times a week to "socialize" Mom and help her adjust and she is going to the psychiatrist (rather than inpatient hospitalization) to get her medication adjusted to see if we can stop the fighting. They felt a psychologist was better qualified to adjust her medication than the infacility doctors.

So either a neurologist or psychologist, that is specialized, can make the diagnosis. What Mom is seeing a psychiatrist for is very different. Hope this answers the confusion I created :wave:

Love, deb

There are neuropsychiatrists, my grandmother saw one for her mixed dementia. I don't know how common this subspecialty is - though Florida would have the most, I'm guessing.

This might help you narrow things down a little and clarify who does what.

Geriatrician?
Is a medical doctor specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that occur in old age, and with the care of the aged.

Psychogeriatrician?
Is a psychiatrist who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders occurring in the aged.

Psychiatrist?
is a medical doctor who specialises in the study, treatment and prevention of mental disorders.

Gerontologist?
Is a scientist who studies the changes in the mind and body that accompany ageing and the problems associated with them

Psychologist?
Is a person engaged in the scientific study of the mind, mental processes and behaviour. They are not medical doctors and are not qualified to prescribe drugs.

Neurologist?
Is a scientist who specialises in the study of the structure, functioning and diseases of the nervous system.

goodluck!!