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Suggest Remedy For Psychosis And Agitation In A Dementia Patient
Question: Re: Diagnosing psychosis and agitation in a dementia client. (NYS) Doesn't this kind of diagnosis HAVE to be made by a qualified geriatric psychiatrist? PARTICULARLY when dangerous antipsychotic drugs are given - I was under the impression for example that dentists dx molar decay, derm docs skin cancer and so on....
Brief Answer:
such diagnosis should be made by a psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns for your mother.
Diagnosis of psychosis and agitation in dementia SHOULD BE made by a psychiatrist (may or may not be geriatric psychiatrist).
Antipsychotic drugs are to be specifically preferably prescribed by a psychiatrist.
Although dementias do fall in the domain of neurologists as well, but behavioral agitation and psychosis are specific to a psychiatrist.
Like a skin cancer can be diagnosed by a dermatologist as well as a oncologist.
Hope this clears your confusion.
Feel free to ask further.
Take care.
Thanks.
such diagnosis should be made by a psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns for your mother.
Diagnosis of psychosis and agitation in dementia SHOULD BE made by a psychiatrist (may or may not be geriatric psychiatrist).
Antipsychotic drugs are to be specifically preferably prescribed by a psychiatrist.
Although dementias do fall in the domain of neurologists as well, but behavioral agitation and psychosis are specific to a psychiatrist.
Like a skin cancer can be diagnosed by a dermatologist as well as a oncologist.
Hope this clears your confusion.
Feel free to ask further.
Take care.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks a LOT! That's should and could, and can, BUT and that's a big BUTT, huh?
There is nothing legal or regulatory or an AMA guideline or a geriatrician guideline or an internists guideline or a Special needs assisted living guideline or anything else along those lines....????....!!! that you can think of or ask around....????
that I might be able to figure out???
Any ideas, good Doc???
There is nothing legal or regulatory or an AMA guideline or a geriatrician guideline or an internists guideline or a Special needs assisted living guideline or anything else along those lines....????....!!! that you can think of or ask around....????
that I might be able to figure out???
Any ideas, good Doc???
Brief Answer:
no such guidelines.
Detailed Answer:
There is nothing like those guidelines.
As all the medical professionals are believed to work in good faith of their patients, its very difficult to set such guidelines.
It is the ethical and moral duty of a junior doctor to consult a specialist in case of doubt.
But yes, if you feel that your mother has not been taken care of or ill-treated, you can always take the legal route and approach court of law for your issues.
Hope this helps.
take care.
Thanks.
no such guidelines.
Detailed Answer:
There is nothing like those guidelines.
As all the medical professionals are believed to work in good faith of their patients, its very difficult to set such guidelines.
It is the ethical and moral duty of a junior doctor to consult a specialist in case of doubt.
But yes, if you feel that your mother has not been taken care of or ill-treated, you can always take the legal route and approach court of law for your issues.
Hope this helps.
take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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