The role of the psychiatrist in Alzheimer's disease.
Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to provide a variety of important services to patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families and professional caregivers. This paper highlights the role of the psychiatric physician in the differential diagnosis of dementing illnesses. Psychiatrists are also uniquely trained to evaluate and treat the psychiatric symptoms and problem behaviors in Alzheimer's disease. The psychiatrist may be asked to utilize and monitor antidementia compounds as well as to orchestrate functional and competency evaluations. As the leader of the mental health team, the psychiatrist serves as educator and resource provider to patients and their families. Lately, the psychiatrist works closely with caregivers to monitor for and prevent burnout and depression.
Department of Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63104, USA.
G T
GT
Grossberg
J T
JT
Lake
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D000077265:Donepezil; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005192:Family Health; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010819:Physician's Role; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011570:Psychiatry
D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil