Problems at work; coworkers say that your poor memory is causing too many mistakes Making many errors in balancing a checkbook or writing checks Difficulty in naming common objects or finding words Apathy, irritability, and other personality changes accompanying memory loss
Seeing Your Doctor for Memory Loss
Any one of the following categories of professionals can evaluate memory loss:
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS (internists, family practitioners) can identify the medical causes of memory loss (e.g., hormonal abnormality or medication toxicity), but they often miss the early signs of subtle to mild memory loss because most are not very skilled at testing for it.
NEUROLOGISTS are physicians trained in the diagnosis and evaluation of neurological disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis. They are generally good at identifying early signs of memory loss. However, only some neurologists have developed expertise in diagnosing and treating memory disorders.
PSYCHIATRISTS have a medical degree and specialize in the treatment of mental disorders. They are excellent at identifying causes such as depression underlying memory loss. However, like most neurologists, most psychiatrists are not skilled at diagnosing and treating memory
disorders.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGISTS have a Ph.D. and not a medical degree. They are expert at administering tests of cognitive function, including memory, and interpreting the test results as normal or abnormal. They usually work in collaboration with a primary care physician, neurologist, or psychiatrist.
Taken From: The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss
and Enhance Memory Power
