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Cognitive behavioral therapy for psychogenic neurological disorders
Jennifer L Hopp1, W Curt LaFrance
1Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
The Neurologist
|November 2, 2012
Summary
Psychogenic neurological disorders (PNDs) are challenging to diagnose and treat. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) shows promise for PNDs, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and understand its role in psychopathology.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Psychogenic neurological disorders (PNDs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinical neurology.
- Limited effective and accessible treatment options exist for patients with PNDs.
- Preliminary evidence suggests cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be beneficial for PNDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the types and presentations of PNDs.
- To examine the utilization of CBT in the treatment of PNDs.
- To highlight the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis for effective PND management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PNDs and their presentations.
- Review of studies on the application of CBT for PND treatment.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on diagnosis and treatment principles.
Main Results:
- PNDs encompass a range of disorders with varied clinical presentations.
- CBT is identified as a potential therapeutic intervention for PNDs.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Neurologists require familiarity with PND types, clinical findings, and CBT principles.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is linked to improved treatment outcomes for PNDs.
- Further controlled trials are necessary to establish CBT efficacy and explore its role in understanding PND psychopathology.
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