Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is concerned with the diagnostics and treatment of cognitive deficits following brain damage, as well as emotional changes and other behavioural disorders.

The clinic has its own sight centre and a variety of investigative methods at its disposal for pinpointing concentration disorders, memory impairments, planning and transactional disabilities and other emotional and functional disturbances.

Neuropsychological treatment of disordered functions and behaviour takes the form of individual care or group therapy. Computer programs are applied whenever needed.. If there are prospects of reintegration in the working world, the earliest-possible involvement with job-relevant material will be prioritized.

Neuropsychologists also conduct interviews that can help patients to come to terms with the illness and help to avoid hurdles to rehabilitation, for example, when induced by conditions of reactive depression.

The next of kin are also given information on how best to support the patient and on the possibilities of further neuropsychological treatment of outpatients, and are given advice on how to come to terms with their own, often difficult situation.

To help promote social competence, the adoption of a critical attitude towards one's own deficits and the learning of everyday activities, a therapeutic resident group was set up within the clinic in May 1994. This group that comprises eight patients is required to cope with and handle as many day-to-day activities as possible, e.g. independent housekeeping.

Special difficulties are encountered in cases of emotional disturbances and difficulties in social adaptation; in such instances psychiatric crisis intervention is often required. The resident group is under neuropsychological guidance. Thanks to the combined efforts of the therapeutics and nursing staff, very good results can be targeted at this stage. For consultation on medical questions and problems the department has its own ward physician.