Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Diseases and injuries that damage the brain can impact the way we interact with the world and lead to significant and disabling behavioral and psychological symptoms—also referred to as neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). These NPS that lead to mood and emotional changes are rarely talked about because they are highly stigmatized and often dismissed as willful behavioral problems that caregivers need to deal with and worry about.

These symptoms are as much of a product of the disease or injury as changes to memory or motor skills, and can include agitation, anxiety and depression, psychosis, sleep disturbances, wandering, and many more.   

NPS can put the person at risk of injury and have devastating effects which can accelerate mortality and even lead to the need for earlier institutionalization. Unfortunately, long-term care facilities often turn these patients away because they are perceived as being too difficult and staff intensive. While some NPS can be treated medically, others may need to be managed with behavioral interventions, changes to environment, and professional care.