Dementia: Management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms - Couverture souple

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms. This book focuses on the clinically distinct categories of non-cognitive symptoms. These are grouped together under the umbrella term Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD). BPSD include agitation (describing a cluster of related symptoms including anxiety, irritability and motor restlessness, often leading to behaviours such as wandering, pacing, aggression, shouting and night-time disturbances), psychosis (referring to three main categories of symptoms: hallucinations, delusions and delusional misidentification) and mood disorders (depression, anxiety and hypomania). Other symptoms include sexual disinhibition, eating problems and abnormal vocalizations (shouting, screaming and demanding attention). There are many reasons why a patient with dementia may develop BPSD. Because of these potential different aetiologies, a full and careful assessment of possible physical, psychological and environmental factors is essential. This book will inform all of those responsible for caring for the patient with dementia about the identification of BPSD, the nature of the symptoms, assessment of their severity and recommends a structured and sequential approach to management. The authors are internationally respected, combining expertise from the fields of clinical research, psychiatry and clinical psychology to provide an integrated approach to the topic.

The book is clear, well laid out and it can and should be read by anyone, lay or professional, who is involved in the care of an elderly person with Dementia . . . I think this is one that you should have on your desk for your own personal use. (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry)

. . . for experienced practitioners this is a welcome and very thorough review of the literature and evidence for best practice in managing BPSD. For newcomers it constitutes an excellent introduction to a person-centred, comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to their assessment and treatment. Highly recommended. (Aging and Mental Health, 6 (4))

This is an excellent book for clinicians, as well as a reference for specialists and researchers. It is also well written, concise and well referenced. (International Psychogeriatrics, Vol 15, No 1)