A neuropsychologist is a medical professional who focuses primarily on the brain, how it functions and what effects an injury or debilitating illness will have on a person in terms of their behaviour and cognitive and emotional skills.
A person should visit a neuropsychologist when they exhibit the following symptoms;
- Memory loss
- Language difficulties
- Behavioural Difficulties
- Difficulty recognising people, surroundings, etc.
- Changes in mood or personality
- Difficulty with concentration and attention
- Inability to recognise objects
Neuropsychology is related to defects in the brain and the correct functioning thereof. It is sometimes difficult to detect whether you need a see a neuropsychologist but if you need some assurance, read the article below. It will shed some light on when you or a loved one should see a neuropsychologist.
When Should You See A Neuropsychologist
You see a neuropsychologist when you deal with issues related to the brain, such as a brain injury from an accident or improper brain functions. A neuropsychologist is trained to assess and diagnose an individual’s cognitive, verbal, social, emotional, memory, and motor skills.
A neuropsychologist deals with patients with neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive disorders resulting from an injury, and neurodevelopment disorders like ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, etc.
They combine a series of tests to diagnose the disorders mentioned above. Suppose you or a family member suspect you have any of the disorders mentioned above or experience any of the symptoms listed below. In that case, it may be time to see a neuropsychologist.
- The person will misplace or forget where they place typical household articles.
- There are changes in short-term memory. The patient will ask the same questions several times.
- They get distracted easily and appear not to listen. They will sometimes seem to lose track of a conversation.
- They experience difficulty with language. The person experiences difficulty finding the right words or speaking or does not understand what they are saying.
- The person has difficulty with visuospatial, which refers to the brain’s ability to identify and analyse space and visual form, structure, and spatial functions regarding dimension. Such a person also finds it difficult to draw or write.
- The person will experience difficulty in making decisions and judgments.
- There may be an increase in anxiety, depression, personality changes, and the development of hallucinations or delusions.
- The person may have difficulty concentrating and focusing on a single task.
- They may appear to lose a sense of where they are, unable to make sense of visual cues and process the things they see.
- If the person cannot remember what day or year it is.
- They may find difficulties reading, writing, and understanding what they’ve read or written.
- Whether the person is an adult or child, a neuropsychologist will assess the person for autism, ADHD, or other learning disorders.
- Following a car crash, sports injury, or other head-related accident, the person must see a neuropsychologist.
Conclusion
When a person shows signs of memory loss, anxiety or depression, difficulty in speech, or loss of motor skills, it may be time to see a neuropsychologist. A neuropsychologist will devise a series of tests and analyse the cause of these symptoms. In this way, the neuropsychologist finds the best treatment for the patient.
