mild cognitive impairment ???

[petros 1]

Hi!

I am just posting a senario that is not a PMP, has not happened in clinic (yet), but in a social situation...!  

I would welcome your thoughts and advice please!

Here goes:

29 year old male complains of memory problems...

..on closer questioning clarifies that he cannot remember names of people he has met recently and also is very 'impossible' with phone numbers etc...!

On the surface, it does not seem like there is any problem, but how would one proceed to make sure there is no problem and also reassure the person?

[rajeevkrishnadas 18]

Rule out

Major depressive disorder;

Substance use;

Social phobia...

Any other signs of organicity that could explain this... :-/

[justme 0]

Sounds like a common day to day occurence. Lots of people forget names / faces. If one is really busy with work and home life, it might be more pronounced.

You could consider the usual differentials which affect concentration and attention, but it might equally be non-pathologic.

[RosyWood 1]

As psychiatrists, we are used to seeing people who have already been triaged by GPs. Therefore our natural assumption is to assume something is really wrong.

In a social situation, it is different, but a general practice tack would be more towards why is he worried NOW; has anything changed, or has he always been like this (in which case-psychoeducation- everyone has strong points and weak points etc). If it has changed, what else has happened at the same time? Especially stress? Any other symptoms, neuro, psych etc.

Common things occur commonly.

My excuse for this symptom is exams......

[petros 1]

My excuse for this symptom is exams......

[superv 0]

Hi

I sit in a memory clinic and these sort of complaints are not very uncommon. Such sort of a client would score high on neuropsychological tests (MMSE/ACE). However, they usually have some anxiety features which affects the attention and concentration.

A bit of psychoeducation about anxiety, relaxation techniques and prompting techniques seems to help most patients.

Hope the above helps

[koosman 0]

Is there evidence of social or occupational decline as a result?

Depression or anxiety?

Substance misuse?

If not, then self-help book on cognitive improvement

[petros 1]

thank you very much for the replies...

no such evidence of decline and no symptoms of depression or other mental illness....and no substance misuse...

so which self help books for cognitive improvement would you recommend?

looking forward to hearing from you..!

[JazP 0]

MMSE then DEMTECT.

May be worth using a Becks or HADS too.

[petros 1]

thanks!

but what about self help books....?