Neuropsychological testing gives an in-depth look at how you think, your ability to process and remember information, and other aspects such as attention and emotions. A diagnosis can help you identify the tools and skills you need to improve your life. Understanding the testing process will give you more insight into what to expect and how to prepare.
What is neuropsychological testing?
The study of the connection between psychological processes and the structural components of the brain is known as neuropsychology. Experts in mental and behavioral health pay close attention to how external stimuli cause psychological events that affect the brain’s neurons.
Psychologists with extensive training conduct neuropsychological evaluations. Similar to how physical and blood tests provide detail for a diagnosis to determine treatment, neuropsychological testing for adults and children can do the same for mental health. The doctor will run the evaluation procedure that typically involves a variety of different tests.
What does neuropsychological testing help to identify?
Your strengths and limitations are uncovered via neuropsychological evaluations, which aid in creating rehabilitation and therapy plans. They are utilized to make decisions regarding job, school, and other aspects of life following an accident, mental disorder, or because of developmental issues. An appropriate assessment of a child’s capabilities can serve as an important basis for getting the right educational and medical resources.
To help the psychologist gauge both short- and long-term recovery of patients, the evaluation may be repeated to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. There are many tests available to help clinicians examine cognitive functions simultaneously. Neuropsychologists will consider the patient’s symptoms to establish which tests will be beneficial to identify if problems are caused by:
- Concussion, severe brain injury, or stroke.
- Mental illness, depression, or anxiety
- Cognitive decline due to age or dementia.
- Motor disease like Parkinson’s.
- Neurodevelopmental issues, such as autism and ADHD.
What are the main questions this test answers?
A neuropsychological assessment can determine the severity of an existing problem or result in a new diagnosis. It can detect mental health conditions like anxiety and bipolar disorder as well as physical conditions including stroke and head injuries.
Evaluation after injury
A neuropsychological test can help investigate the extent of an injury to the brain, for example, assessing a stroke victim to see which areas of the brain were impacted. These neuropsychological tests can also benefit patients with seizures, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory.
Identifying developmental disorders
Neuropsychological testing can aid in the diagnosis of a child’s learning difficulties or establish if they are missing developmental milestones, enabling parents to choose the most suitable course of treatment. Tests can determine if there is a sensory processing disorder, autism, language impairments, ADHD, and dyslexia.
Diagnosing mental disorders
Neuropsychological testing can help when a patient has mood issues that are challenging to identify. These examinations, which may include imaging, can assist in diagnosing conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, and depression.
What does a neuropsychological test procedure look like?
Testing for neuropsychology does not hurt physically nor does it require being connected to tubes or machines all day. It usually consists of two stages. First, there’s an interview to acquire background information and learn about the issues, followed by brain function tests called cognitive testing. Through conversation, observation, and questionnaire testing, a neuropsychological examination gauges and analyses thinking, mood, and behavior.
Professionals may perform a variety of tests to establish the presence of an illness or to rule out others. Depending on the patient’s symptoms, particular physical examinations could also be a part of this process. While some may be anxious about having their emotional or cognitive abilities tested, it is important to remember it is a non-judgmental process with the goal of helping the patient recover.
How to prepare for neuropsychological testing?
Although you cannot study for the exam, you can ensure that it is a fair assessment of your skills by being well-prepared.
Get sufficient rest
Your actions the day and night before the test could have an impact on the outcomes. Because of this, it is highly recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol or taking other intoxicating substances the night before. It will leave you feeling exhausted, dehydrated, and hungover the morning of your test. Get a good night’s sleep so your brain can function optimally.
Eat before the test
Although a healthy diet is most important for keeping your body and brain nourished and ready to take on difficult tasks, a nutritious breakfast before the test can be especially important. It helps to promote mental performance and provides more energy and sustenance.
Ask questions
In advance, before your test, ask your psychiatrist what kinds of neuropsychological assessments you are expected to take. Enquire about the anticipated duration and if possible, book the appointment at a time when you are most alert during the day.
What to bring
Bring any items you may need to complete the tests such as glasses and hearing aids. If you are taking any prescribed drugs and supplements, note these down for the clinician with detail of dosages. Include any other paperwork you may need including a list of any additional questions, your photo ID, and, if necessary, your insurance card.
How can neuropsychological testing benefit you?
Neuropsychological testing should be performed by psychologists who are clinically certified and have solid experience in neuropsychology. They can differentiate the characteristics of neurological, emotional, and behavioral aspects that affect functioning.
The evaluations are intended to shed light on how your brain works and identify potential strengths and areas of difficulty. Even though these are tests, there is no such thing as passing or failing. The benefits of neuropsychological testing include:
- The evaluation creates a baseline to track future changes in cognitive abilities, mood, and personality, including treatment effects.
- Useful in identifying the presence and severity of cognitive dysfunction.
- Tests help separate biological and functional deficits to avoid misdiagnosis.
- Neuropsychological assessments benefit everyone from children to senior citizens who struggle with cognitive, verbal, and motor function issues.
- Testing pinpoints the exact root cause of the problem so you can get the most effective treatment.
Neuropsychologists are best able to differentiate the characteristics of neurological, emotional, and behavioral aspects that can affect functioning.