Sometimes we have questions, don't we? Especially when we notice a slight change in the way our brain works, our memory, our thinking, or our behavior patterns, we can feel a little scared. At such times, a specialist who can help us is called a `Neuro Psychologist` . Today, let's talk about who this `Neuropsychologist` is, what they do, and when you should see them.
Who is this `Neuropsychologist`?
Simply put, a Neuropsychologist is a healthcare professional who has specialized knowledge in how brain damage (such as brain disease or injury) can affect your behavior and cognitive abilities (the way you use your brain).
Think about what these cognitive abilities mean. That is:
- Your general intelligence level .
- Your attention and concentration (ability to focus on something).
- The speed at which information is absorbed by the brain (how quickly you understand something when you see or hear it).
- Language skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading, etc.).
- Learning ability and memory (learning new things, remembering old things).
- Ability to think logically and solve problems .
- Visual and spatial abilities (that is, the ability to visually understand and visualize things like locations, shapes, and distances).
- Your mood and personality (your mood, the way you behave with others).
All of this is very much related to the functioning of our brain. So, if there is any change or discomfort in these things, a `Neuropsychologist` can help find the cause and see what can be done about it.
Are there types of `Neuropsychologists`?
Yes, there are mainly two types of `Neuropsychologists`:
1. Research-oriented `Neuropsychologists` (`Cognitive Neuropsychologists`): They mainly conduct new research to further develop the field of `Neuropsychology`. They look in depth at the connections between the brain, our way of thinking, and our behavior. It is through their research that new things are discovered and new testing methods are developed.
2. Clinical Neuropsychologists: These are the ones who work directly with people like you who need services, along with other doctors. They use various tests to assess how your cognitive function (the way your brain works) is. Then, they work with your medical team (other doctors, therapists) to help you develop a treatment plan that's right for you. Some clinical neuropsychologists are also trained specifically for certain age groups, such as pediatrics.
Importantly, Neuropsychology is a subfield of Psychology, not Neurology. That is, they are trained as psychologists, with expertise in the relationship between the brain and behavior.
Why do we need to see a Neuropsychologist?
Usually, your family doctor ( Primary Care Physician ) or a neurologist will refer you to a neuropsychologist for neuropsychological testing .
The main reason for this is if you notice, or your doctor notices, any new changes or difficulties in your cognitive functioning (such as memory, attention, language, personality). There can be many reasons for these changes. For example:
- Other medical conditions.
- Diseases related to the nervous system.
- Mental health problems.
- Genetic causes.
Neuropsychologists perform this task-oriented testing on people of all ages, from infants, to young children, to young adults, to adults.
They often contribute to assessing situations like these:
- Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Think of it like hitting your head in an accident.
- Epilepsy .
- Brain cancer .
- Stroke .
- Neurodegenerative disorders – for example , Alzheimer's disease .
- Movement Disorders – For example , Parkinson's disease .
But one thing to remember is that when treating conditions like this, it is not just one specialist, but many people working together as a team. The `Neuropsychologist` is also an important member of that team.
What exactly does a `Neuropsychologist` do?
A clinical neuropsychologist conducts neuropsychological exams . They help you and your medical team understand how different parts and systems of your brain work.
In these tests, you are given various tasks to perform. These tests measure your specific cognitive abilities. For example, you may be asked to memorize a list of words and then repeat them, or you may be asked to look at a picture and then draw it.
They assess people who have suffered brain damage from an accident (such as a stroke or a stroke) as well as people with long-term neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. They are sometimes involved in helping to diagnose a disease or to monitor the progression of an already diagnosed disease.
During an examination, a Neuropsychologist will typically do the following:
- Relevant information is collected: your medical records, previous mental health conditions, how symptoms started, and other history.
- Talk to your family and those close to you: Get information about the changes they have noticed in your behavior and thinking.
- You are given various tests or tasks to test your cognitive abilities: these can be oral questions, written tasks, computer tests, tasks involving objects such as blocks or blocks, and puzzles. These take some time to complete, perhaps even a few hours.
- A detailed report is created: explaining how different aspects of your cognitive abilities – such as memory, attention, and language – are working. This report is given to you and your medical team.
- We will explain the test results to you: what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, and how they may affect your daily life.
Neuropsychologists work closely with other healthcare providers (doctors, therapists) as part of a holistic care team . The reports they create give others a complete understanding of your brain damage or condition and the effects it has had. This can help your team make treatment decisions.
What is the difference between a `Neuropsychologist`, a `Psychologist`, and a `Neurologist`?
These three names can be a bit confusing, right? Let's see what the main differences are between these three.
The difference between a `Neuropsychologist` and a `Psychologist`:
The main difference is in the angle from which they view human behavior.
- Psychologist: They have special knowledge about how your life experiences and your environment affect your mental health and behavior. They can help with things like psychotherapy or talk therapy.
- Neuropsychologist: They have special knowledge about how biological factors and brain issues affect your behavior and other cognitive functions. They assess these effects through tests.
The difference between a `Neuropsychologist` and a `Neurologist`:
- Neurologist: This is a doctor with a medical degree (`MD` - Doctor of Medicine or `DO` - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) . They diagnose, treat, and manage diseases of the nervous system – that is, the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They are experts in the structure, function, and diseases of the nervous system. They can prescribe medications and perform surgeries.
- Neuropsychologist: They focus on how brain problems affect behavior and cognitive abilities. Most importantly, a neuropsychologist is not a doctor. Therefore, they cannot prescribe medication like a neurologist.
Simply put, while a `Neurologist` looks at problems with the "hardware" of the brain (such as tumors, blood flow blockages), a `Neuropsychologist` looks at the effects of those "hardware" problems on the "software" (thinking, memory, behavior).
How to become a `Neuropsychologist`?
To become a `Clinical Neuropsychologist`, meaning someone who works directly with patients, you must complete these educational and training steps:
- You need to obtain a bachelor's degree from a university .
- Then you need to study for a postgraduate degree, which means a `Doctoral degree` . This can be a `PhD` (Doctor of Philosophy) or a `PsyD` (Doctor of Psychology) in psychology.
- While pursuing your PhD, you must complete a one-year full-time internship , usually in the field of Neuropsychology.
- After that, you need to complete a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Neuropsychology. This is like specialist training.
- In addition, you must pass a national-level exam and another exam specific to the state/country where you work .
Even after becoming a licensed Neuropsychologist, they still need to attend continuing education programs (CED) every year to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field. These can include conferences, research, and classes.
Important note: Neuropsychologists do not go to medical school for this profession. A medical degree (MD or DO) is not required to become a licensed neuropsychologist.
With all of this, it usually takes about 10 to 13 years to become a licensed Neuropsychologist. It depends on how quickly you complete your bachelor's and doctorate degrees.
Something for you to think about.
Experiencing changes in the way your brain works, your thinking, your memory, or your behavior can be really scary and worrying. It's very normal.
But remember, a Neuropsychologist can help you understand these changes and how they affect you. They are experts in their field, and they have the latest knowledge about the complex connections between your physical brain and your mind. Your Neuropsychologist will work with you and your medical team to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your condition and will bring you the best results. Therefore, if you have any concerns, it is important to talk to your doctor and get a referral to see a Neuropsychologist.
` Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychologist, brain function, cognitive abilities, mental health, neuroscience, psychology
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