What Is Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a way to measure an individual’s emotional and cognitive abilities. The results of this test are compared to averages based on the individual’s age, education, and background. A neuropsychological evaluation is not just one test but a series of tests to thoroughly examine the brain and how well it functions. The results of such tests allow medical and mental health care professionals to diagnose problems and create personalized treatment plans.
Our brains are incredibly complicated and complex. When the brain is damaged due to injury, tumors, trauma, or disease, it can have a cascade effect on an individual’s mental health. Mental health disorders, such as substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction, can leave a noticeable mark on the brain’s ability to function. Determining the degree of damage allows for precise treatment to aid in healing and recovery.
That’s why at Prospect Hill Recovery, we utilize neuropsychological evaluations to help our staff create compassionate, quality, and individualized treatment plans. With a focus on the individual, such tests allow us to not just provide accurate treatment but also provide answers to questions that may have plagued our clients for years. Understanding what is wrong is the first step to providing healing and relief.
Prospect Hill Recovery’s Program: A Personalized Approach
Every individual is different, and each has a unique brain and nervous system. Applying the same treatment regardless of the individual’s needs wastes time, causes stress, and discourages one from seeking treatment. A personalized approach ensures that each client gets maximum focus and attention during treatment, resulting in a 99% treatment completion rate.
Every treatment plan at Prospect Hill Recovery begins with a wide range of assessments. One of which is a neuropsychological evaluation.
The Assessment Process: Setting the Foundation for Recovery With a Neuropsychological Evaluation
With a staff made up of expert medical and mental health care professionals, clients can be assessed completely to determine their unique needs. Each client begins their recovery journey with an assessment that examines their physical and mental health. Doing so provides an accurate baseline that can be compared later, assists in diagnosis, and provides data for the creation of a personalized treatment plan.
A neuropsychological evaluation is but one part of the assessment process, especially if the client has a concerning medical history or is actively struggling with addiction. This assessment may also determine if further tests are needed concerning an individual’s brain health.
The assessment process is safe, respectful, and compassionate. Clients are allowed to request breaks throughout the process. Each part of the assessment is explained thoroughly before and during the process so the client is never left in the dark.
Forms of Neuropsychological Evaluation
A neuropsychological evaluation is performed by utilizing tests that examine how the brain functions. These tests examine:
- Thought and reaction processing speed
- Cognitive and intellectual ability
- Concentration and attention
- Executive functioning and decision-making
- Short and long-term memory
- Ability to finish tasks
- Emotional functioning
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Visual-spacial skills
The tests used as part of a neuropsychological evaluation are numerous, and not every client will need to undergo all of them. An examiner will instead utilize tests based on the client’s main complaints, existing medical and family history, and behavior observations.
Some examples of the tests a client may encounter include:
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III)
- Boston Naming Test
- Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)
When Cognitive Deficits Are Traced to Substance Use
Some substances can have a severe impact on cognitive functioning. Substances like alcohol, methamphetamine, and opioids can continue to cause cognitive issues long after the person has stopped using them. Thankfully, this damage can often be healed with time and proper treatment. However, healing cannot begin if the damage is not noticed or missed. A neuropsychological evaluation can catch this damage and ensure that the client’s treatment plan will address these areas of concern.
Building Trust Through Evidence
It’s hard to ignore evidence, especially when it comes to one’s health. A neuropsychologist will always discuss the results of a neuropsychological evaluation with the client to help them understand their diagnosis. This collaborative process is important to the treatment process, as it requires trust between the client and their treatment providers.
Empowering Individuals to Learn From Their Disorder
For some clients, they wonder why they feel “behind” compared to other people. They may have wondered if having a “foggy” brain is normal or if it’s just part of life to not retain information very well. A neuropsychological evaluation can answer these questions and reassure the client that their mental health struggles are not their fault. This diagnosis allows the client to take charge of their future and actively participate in their treatment.
Tailored Treatment Plans: Addressing Cognitive and Psychological Needs
To successfully walk the road of recovery, an individual has to have their cognitive (functioning) and psychological (emotional) needs met. Besides a neuropsychological evaluation, clients may undergo other assessments. Psychological assessments include a psychological evaluation, which is useful in determining emotional health and can assist in diagnosing mental health disorders. Vocational assessments help clients identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths.
Together, these assessments determine what the clients need as part of recovery. It can be as simple as bolstering self-esteem to addressing deep-seated harmful thought patterns. Regardless of what a client needs, there will always be a treatment or therapy that can assist them. Choosing the right treatment and therapies can take time, but these assessments narrow down available options and include clients in the decision process.
The Power of a Multi-Disciplinary Team and Collaborating With Neuropsychologists
Having access to a team of medical and mental health care professionals allows clients to get accurate and comprehensive treatment. Utilizing the help of neuropsychologists helps clients treat and work around their cognitive and behavioral difficulties due to brain injury or illness. Though not all clients will need the help of neuropsychologists, their presence can be life-changing to those who are struggling with chronic conditions or injuries to the brain.
This team of medical and mental health care professionals also works to continuously monitor the health and progress of their clients. Continuous monitoring ensures that adjustments can be made as needed, especially when a client progresses in their recovery. These adjustments ensure that a client is always moving forward, never lagging. This doesn’t just ensure progress but also safety, as these observations can be noticed immediately when a client is struggling.
The Synergy of Neuropsychology and Holistic Therapies
Holistic therapies are specifically designed to help all aspects of a person. This includes the mind, body, and spirit. The brain is connected to all parts of ourselves and thus has an impact on us as a whole. To address neurological needs, it’s important to provide well-rounded and comprehensive treatment. When our physical and spiritual health improves, so too does our mental health.
Reversibility and Hope in Cognitive Recovery
The damage left by addiction can be healed with time and comprehensive treatment. Other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, are a permanent part of a person’s neurological landscape. However, steps can be taken to promote healing and wellness enough to provide comfort and reduce pain. Holistic therapeutic practices enhance the recovery process and help train clients to make healthy choices. Some examples of these holistic practices at Prospect Hill Recovery are:
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Nutrition counseling
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Art and sound therapy
- Yoga
- Recreation therapy
Regardless of the damage, there is always hope that one’s life can change and improve for the better. Here at Prospect Hill Recovery, we ensure that every client gets what they need to retake their life and succeed at any goal they set.
Book an Appointment with Prospect Hill Recovery Today
At Prospect Hill Recovery, all sessions are confidential. We understand the importance of privacy, and we ensure that all sessions are conducted with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality. Additionally, our expert team, with extensive experience in administering these therapies, ensures that clients receive top-notch care every step of the way.
What should I expect during the neuropsychological evaluation process at Prospect Hill Recovery?
Neuropsychological evaluations are fairly straightforward at Prospect Hill Recovery. Clients are first interviewed about their health history and background. Once the neuropsychologist has a general idea of symptoms that are present, they will have the client perform tests to gather data. When the tests are completed, the neuropsychologist will examine all available data and either request more tests or provide the client with their findings and potential diagnosis. This is then used to help create a personalized treatment plan.
Does insurance cover a neuropsychological evaluation and tests?
Neuropsychological assessments may be covered by insurance, depending on the type of test and specific insurance coverage.
How often are neuropsychological assessments conducted during treatment?
The first assessment is always to establish a baseline before treatment and at least one more during treatment to determine any improvement. How many assessments are needed in total depends on the individual’s needs and the types of treatment they are receiving.
What conditions can a neuropsychological evaluation diagnose?
Neuropsychological evaluations are used to help diagnose several mental health conditions, such as learning disabilities, brain injuries, brain tumors, developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and early signs of dementia.
What are the limitations of a neuropsychological evaluation?
Because of the complexity and individuality of the brain, it’s challenging to perform a neuropsychological evaluation with 100% accuracy. Neuropsychological evaluations also only look at functioning during tests, not everyday functioning, which may also skew results. The tests used are also constantly improving as our understanding of the brain grows. In time, a neuropsychological evaluation may become more comprehensive. For now, a neuropsychologistmust work carefully to gather as much wide-reaching data as possible for the clearest picture of a client’s neurological health.
How does a neuropsychological evaluation differ from a psychological one?
A neuropsychological evaluation is used to determine medical issues related to brain function, such as injury or developmental disorders, while a psychological evaluation determines mental and emotional wellness. Psychological evaluations can diagnose a mental health disorder, such as depression, while a neuropsychological evaluation can determine the medical cause of that mental health disorder, such as a traumatic brain injury.