The psychological consequences of learning a diagnosis of dementia: Three case examples

Husband, Hilary J.

doi:10.1080/13607869956352

Cited by 65 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The findings of this study would therefore parallel the findings of studies [37,38] that people with dementia are often unaware of their condition, pre-diagnosis.The news of a diagnosis of dementia was met with feelings of shock and disbelief and was upsetting for all three women. This study therefore supports previous findings [39][40][41] with regard to a diagnosis of dementia causing emotional distress.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

The lived experience of people newly diagnosed with dementia: A narrative study using a phenomenological approach

Holland

Kydd²

2013

Clinical Nursing Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim: This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the lived experience of people newly diagnosed with dementia at one local post-diagnostic counselling service in Scotland. Methods:A interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted, data was collected by means of one-to one interviews with people newly diagnosed with dementia.The process of ethical approval was lengthy and conditions attached to recruitment. Of 9 possible participants, 3 women were recruited. Due to the small number, results were presented as individual narratives. Results:The 3 women all reported a long wait for the service following diagnosis and they were unclear as to the purpose of the service. All reported a reluctance to attend the counselling service.Two women had family support and found talking to the nurse counseellor very helpful.One woman had no such support and perceived the service to be a covert form of further assessment. Conclusions:Although positive steps have been taken towards improving the service, the uptake was poor. One of three participants perceived this service to be another form of assessment, which shows the heightened anxiety of people newly diagnosed with dementia. This is especially so for people with no supportive friends and/or family.Recommendations: From this small study it appears that post diagnostic counselling needs to be offered at time of diagnosis. It also appears that careful attention should be given to all forms of communication with people newly diagnosed with dementia, as they are at a vulnerable time in their lives and are frightened by service interventions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

The lived experience of people newly diagnosed with dementia: A narrative study using a phenomenological approach

Holland

Kydd²

2013

Clinical Nursing Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is some evidence, for example, that cognitive behaviour therapy can help people with an early diagnosis of dementia to view their condition less negatively, address stigmatizing thoughts and feelings, and cope better; it also plays a role in assisting users to come to terms with their diagnosis (Husband, 1999). The capacity of self help activities to perform a similar function is also relevant.…”

Section: Stigma Discrimination and Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Loss of independence, roles and identity, and feelings of low self esteem, value and worth are widely noted in research with people with dementia (Husband, 1999). There is considerable evidence that receiving a dementia diagnosis allocates the older person to a new lower status social group and results in social dislocation, a process that is a function both of the condition itself and responses to it (Katsumo, 2005;Lindesay 2008).…”

Section: Stigma Discrimination and Dementiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The ‘D’ word: Reflections on the relationship between stigma, discrimination and dementia

Milne

2010

Journal of Mental Health

138

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…The benefits of a sharing a diagnosis include (Pratt and Wilkinson, 2003;Bamford et al, 2004) ending uncertainty, confirming suspicions, increasing understanding of problems, giving access to support, promoting positive coping strategies, facilitating planning and fulfilment of short term goals. (Husband, 1999(Husband, , 2000Smith and Beattie, 2001).…”

Section: Benefits and Hazards Of Early Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary care and dementia: 1. diagnosis, screening and disclosure

Iliffe

Robinson

Brayne

et al. 2009

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

167

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYObjectives To write a narrative review of the roles of primary care practitioners in caring for people with dementia in the community. Methods The systematic review carried out for the NICE/SCIE Guidelines was updated from January 2006, Cochrane Reviews were identified, and other publications found by consultation with experts. Results The insidious and very variable development of dementia syndromes makes recognition of the syndrome problematic in primary care. Dementia is probably under-diagnosed and under treated with an estimated 50% of primary care patients over 65 not diagnosed by their primary care physicians. This problem of under-diagnosis is probably not due to lack of diagnostic skills, but rather to the interaction of case-complexity, pressure on time and the negative effects of reimbursement systems. Primary care physicians often over-estimate the prevalence of dementia syndromes, but in some countries may also overestimate the prevalence of vascular dementia compared with Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosis is a step-wise process which can be aided by use of a cognitive function test, of which there are a number suitable for primary care use. Evidence based practice protocols can enhance detection rates in primary care, and there is growing evidence that communication skills in talking to people with dementia about dementia can be improved. Nevertheless there are multiple obstacles to bringing recognition forward in time, both in public awareness and professional understanding of the early changes in dementia. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence of benefit to justify population screening in primary care but earlier recognition of people with dementia syndrome is possible within primary care. The diagnosis of dementia is a shared responsibility between generalist and specialist disciplines. Primary care physicians should explore patients' ideas and concerns around their symptoms prior to referral and tentatively discuss possible diagnoses. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the primary care physician should provide both practical and emotional support to allow the patient and their family to come to terms with living with dementia, and refer them for additional psychosocial support if required.

show abstract

The psychological consequences of learning a diagnosis of dementia: Three case examples

Cited by 65 publications

References 12 publications

The lived experience of people newly diagnosed with dementia: A narrative study using a phenomenological approach

The lived experience of people newly diagnosed with dementia: A narrative study using a phenomenological approach

The ‘D’ word: Reflections on the relationship between stigma, discrimination and dementia

Primary care and dementia: 1. diagnosis, screening and disclosure

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About