Category: Old Age Treatments

All fields of human endeavour use measurement in some form, and each field has its own
set of measuring tools and measuring units. In psychology, we tend to measure behaviour by the use of various standardised tests. Psychological assessment involves the gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a formal psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioural observation, etc. This is necessary for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Psychological testing is always performed by a licensed psychologist and consists largely of paper-and-pencil tests. It is done to help a psychologist better understand an individual and provide valuable insights into the individual’s behaviour, skills, thoughts and personality. Psychological testing commonly includes intelligence testing, personality testing, and skills testing, among other areas.

The family is the foundation on which most societies are built. Family therapy might be necessary where there are disturbances in the family system. Often the problems that a person faces can be understood by going deeper into the interactions between the family members. It must be understood that the exchange between the family members involve a form of communication which can lead to either harmony or disharmony in relationships. Family therapy explicitly focuses on altering the interactions between or among family members and seeks to improve the functioning of the family as a unit, or its subsystems, and the functioning of individual members of the family. By increasing the problem-solving capacity and communication within the family system, the individual client can be helped to recover from his problem. Family therapy is a recognized form of treatment in major psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia, depression, alcohol or drug use, conversion related disorders eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.

Pharmacotherapy involves the remediation or management of a psychiatric condition through the use of appropriate medication. Mental health conditions like Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, OCD, Schizophrenia, Drug Addiction, Eating Disorder, Conversion, Personality Disorders, etc. often tend to require medication. Different conditions require different forms of medication. Advancements in science along with greater understanding of how the brain functions has led to more effective, less toxic, better-tolerated, and more specifically targeted medicines being available, with potentially fewer side-effects. Our psychiatrists and neuro-psychiatrists will evaluate your condition and based on your needs they will provide appropriate psychiatric medication.

1. Counselling professional assistance in coping with personal problems, including emotional, behavioural, vocational, marital, educational, rehabilitation, and life-stage (e.g., retirement) problems.
2. The counsellor makes use of techniques of active listening, guidance, advice, discussion, clarification, and the administration of tests. During the counselling process, the counsellor and client engage in an interpersonal process as they attempt to define, address, and resolve specific problems of the client on a one-to-one basis.
3. Counselling is a form of confidential helping which seeks to elicit each client’s innate internal resources, coping abilities and strengths.
4. Counsellors may help clients with specific problems in the present, but they may also support clients with long-term problems stemming from the past too. Counselling takes place both in individual and group settings.

1. Neuropsychological tests are designed to examine a variety of cognitive abilities, including speed of information processing, attention, memory, language, and executive functions, which are necessary for goal-directed behaviour.
2. By testing a range of cognitive abilities and examining patterns of performance in different cognitive areas, neuropsychologists can make inferences about underlying brain function and evaluate the presence, nature, and extent of brain damage or dysfunction.
3. Neuropsychological testing is an important component of the assessment and treatment of traumatic brain injury, dementia, neurological conditions, and psychiatric disorders. It is also an important tool for examining the effects of psychiatric conditions on brain functioning.

These assessments will help us understand?

1. Span of attention & capacity to concentrate
2. Ability to think, understand, learn, and remember (cognition)
3. Memory
4. Motor functioning
5. Perception
6. Problem-solving and decision-making
7. Verbal ability

1. Couples Counselling is a type of counselling in which a clinical psychologist with expertise in working with couples, helps focus on issues confronting relationships between partners. With the aid of the therapist, the partners can gain insight into their relationship, resolve conflict and improve relationship satisfaction.
2. Every couple comes with its unique difficulties and challenges, most of which is amicably handled through open conversation and free interaction. However, when communication becomes a problem, the stability of a relationship faces a severe threat. In situations where conversation becomes an issue, couples therapy often comes as a solution to strengthen the bond between the partners, and to renew the love and affection in the relationship.
3. Couples counselling has multiple benefits for people, especially those who are willing to put in a little extra effort to make their relationship work. It is short-term and problem oriented; it may include a variety of approaches to provide gentle guidance in difficult areas as shared responsibilities, expectations for the future, and loyalties. Individual sessions may be provided separately to each partner, particularly at the beginning of therapy; most of the course of therapy, however, is provided to both partners together.

Although the practice of couples counselling may vary depending on the therapist’s theoretical orientation, all couples counselling tends to involve the following general elements:

1. A focus on a specific problem (i.e. sexual difficulties, Internet addiction, jealousy)
2. Active participation on the part of the therapist in treating the relationship itself, rather than each individual separately
3. A clear establishment of treatment objectives.
4. Solution-focused, change-oriented interventions early on in treatment.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and resolving problems within those relationships. It is based on the idea that our relationships with others significantly impact our emotional well-being and can contribute to the development or exacerbation of mental health issues.

The central goal of IPT is to help individuals improve their interpersonal functioning and resolve interpersonal issues that may be contributing to their psychological distress. It is rooted in the belief that problems in relationships, such as conflicts, role transitions, grief, and social isolation, can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. The therapy typically involves the following key components:

• Assessment: The therapist works with the individual to assess their current interpersonal relationships and identify any specific problem areas. This assessment helps determine the focus and goals of the therapy.
• Goals: Based on the assessment, specific treatment goals are established. These goals may involve improving communication skills, resolving conflicts, establishing boundaries, or addressing other interpersonal issues.
• Time-limited: Interpersonal Therapy is usually time-limited and structured, consisting of a fixed number of sessions that typically range from 12 to 16. The limited duration helps provide a focused and goal-oriented approach.
• Interpersonal focus: The therapy primarily concentrates on the individual’s current relationships and the difficulties they are facing. It may explore past experiences and how they shape the person’s present interpersonal patterns.
• Core problem areas: Interpersonal Therapy identifies four main problem areas that can contribute to emotional distress:

1. Grief: Addressing unresolved grief or loss and helping the individual navigate the associated emotions.
2. Role disputes: Resolving conflicts or disagreements in relationships, such as with a partner, family member, or coworker.
3. Role transitions: Assisting individuals in adjusting to major life changes, such as starting a new job, getting married, becoming a parent, or retiring.
4. Interpersonal deficits: Addressing difficulties in establishing and maintaining healthy relationships, improving social skills, and building a support network.
5. Techniques: Various therapeutic techniques are used in IPT to achieve the treatment goals. These may include role-playing, communication analysis, problem-solving, clarification, and providing feedback.

Crisis intervention refers to the immediate and direct response provided to individuals or groups experiencing a crisis situation. A crisis is an event or circumstance that poses a significant threat to a person’s psychological, emotional, or physical well-being and overwhelms their coping mechanisms. Crisis intervention aims to provide immediate support, stabilization, and assistance to individuals in distress to help them regain a sense of safety and stability.

Goals:

The primary goals of crisis intervention include ensuring the safety and well-being of the individual in crisis, reducing the intensity of the crisis, restoring the individual’s functioning and coping abilities, and facilitating the individual’s access to appropriate ongoing support or treatment.

Process that takes place in Crisis Intervention:

Crisis assessment
Active listening and empathy
Emotional support
Problem-solving and action planning
Safety assessment and intervention
Follow-up and referral
Crisis intervention can be provided by mental health professionals, counsellors, social workers, hotline volunteers, or emergency personnel, depending on the setting and the nature of the crisis. The approach and techniques used in crisis intervention may vary depending on the individual’s needs, the severity of the crisis, and the available resources.