How do you manage problematic disinhibited behaviors in patients with neurocognitive disorders?
This includes how to manage hypersexuality, hyperorality, recklessness, and other socially inappropriate behaviors separate from agitation/physical aggression.
Answer from: at Community Practice
This requires a problem-centered approach. I suggest the following thought process.
Analyse the root cause: Is it disinhibition? Unmet needs? Under/Overstimulating environment? Medication side effect?
For disinhibition (frontal lobe dysfunction): I have had success with gabapentin and low-dose D...
Comments
at University of Washington Numerous additional causes of abnormal hypersexual...
at Neuropsychiatry Service Gabapentin is control substance. I tried to avoid ...
at Oregon Health & Science University Agree with low-dose Depakote or possibly lamotrigi...
at Thapar Renu K Office A good history from the patient and collateral cou...
at First Choice Neurology I am a neurologist and read this thread with inter...
at Thapar Renu K Office Dr. @Cohen, I have a long experience with this pop...
at Thapar Renu K Office Hi. Any reason to select Risperdal over other seco...
at Independent Psychiatric Consultants No reason, unless past personal history of good re...
I see this problem, not infrequently, in patients in every stage of dementia, from MCI to severe dementia. Sertraline can be beneficial, but if not, lamotrigine or divalproex often work reasonably well.
Comments
at Erlanger Health System Big fan of sertraline in this circumstance. It is ...
This is a very important area since such behavior often results in caregiver stress and earlier placement in alternative facilities. First, a clear description of the problematic behavior (verbal, physical, timing, apparent precipitants, form of actual behavior, and how this is a change from pre-mor...
Comments
at Elliot Hospital I’ve used Depakote with good results.
at University of Wisconsin In the Parkinson's disease-related populations, if...
at Sheppard Pratt Hospital This is an interesting idea. Does it take a while ...
When medical and other etiologies have been ruled out, and a medication approach is indicated, paroxetine if often the med of choice. Just as it is often not preferered for depression and anxiety due to it's sexual side effects, this becomes beneficial for this population.
I will search for etiology first. Is it physiological? Many patients do not have official partners at that age. As an example, eating is the most direct way to satisfy true biological hunger; other non-food factors like excessive dopamine/testosterone should also consider in mind.
SSRI is not alway...
The use of valproate in this context is common, but I try to avoid it. Valproate has significant cognitive and systemic toxicity as well as a host of drug-drug interactions. There is not much data to support its use for controlling behavioral agitation in patients with cognitive impairment, but quit...
After excluding a treatable etiology, if the behavior is still problematic and not amenable to environmental modification, anti-androgen Provera has worked for my patients.
Numerous additional causes of abnormal hypersexual...
Gabapentin is control substance. I tried to avoid ...
Agree with low-dose Depakote or possibly lamotrigi...
A good history from the patient and collateral cou...
I am a neurologist and read this thread with inter...
Dr. @Cohen, I have a long experience with this pop...
Hi. Any reason to select Risperdal over other seco...
No reason, unless past personal history of good re...