Alzheimer s The Dsm 5 - 2104 Words

Alzheimer’s in DSM What was previously known in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as dementia is now known in the DSM-5 as major neurocognitive disorder, with the lower degrees of impaired cognition are now found under mild neurocognitive disorder. The latter category was found in previous editions of the DSM as Cognitive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) Regardless of the new titles and categories in the DSM-5, dementia is referred to throughout the text for the state of standardization and continuity between clinicians and physicians. The reasoning for this change to neurocognitive disorders refers to dementia typically being the title of degenerative disorders given to†¦show more content†¦The general diagnostic criteria for major neurocognitive disorder is as follows, as reported by the American Psychiatric Association (2013). There must be a a decrease in cognitive performance from at least one co gnitive domain, including complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor, or social cognition. This must be supported by evidence of concern regarding significant cognitive decline by the individual, their loved ones, or their clinician as well as a quantified clinical assessment, such as a standardized neuropsychological test, reporting a significant decline in cognition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These significant cognitive declines must show a decline in independence through typical day to day activities such as needing help in remembering to pay bills or keeping up with medications. Lastly, this cognitive decline are not occurring as a result of delirium only and are not better evidenced as a mental disorder such as major depressive disorder or schizophrenia. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) The second specifier for this disorder, with the first in this instance being major cognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’ s disease, is in relation to whether or not there is a behavioral disturbance present. Examples of these potential disturbances include â€Å"psychotic symptoms, mood