Diagnosing Dementia-Related Psychosis: Using Tools and Communicating With Patients and Caregivers

The Journal of
Clinical Psychiatry

Neurology Dementia

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Psychosis is common in patients with dementia; therefore, clinicians should carefully evaluate psychotic symptoms reported by patients or their caregivers. A variety of tools exist for the diagnosis of DRP, such as the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and new diagnostic criteria. It is important to talk with patients and caregivers about the impact of DRP on well-being, their level of distress (and patients’ insight), the potential risks of medication to treat DRP, and the potential course of DRP because, then, it is possible for people to contribute knowledgably to discussions of the best treatment options. Certain techniques can help clinicians communicate with patients and carers about DRP symptomology and appropriate care strategies.

To cite: Ballard C. Diagnosing dementia-related psychosis: using tools and communicating with patients and caregivers. J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;82(1):AD19038BR3C.
To share: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.AD19038BR3C

From the University of Exeter College of Medicine and Health, UK