Optimizing cognitive functionality in severe mental illness. An evidence–informed medicine clinician primer

Dr Joel Lamoure RPh; DD. FASCP

Volume : III, Issue : V, May - 2014

Optimizing cognitive functionality in severe mental illness. An evidence–informed medicine clinician primer

Dr Joel Lamoure Rph, Dd. Fascp

Abstract :

Cognition involves a series of mental activities such as seeing, attention, memory, reasoning, and problem solving and is integral to the well being of patient care and assessment. There are a variety of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and affective disorders that can diminish a patient�s ultimate goal of functionality. Functionality, which is integrally linked to cognition, covers the individual�s ability to engage in daily activities. Inability to have �clarity of thought� inherentlyturns the patient to forms of self–medication in order to advance cognition (eg: smoking) and miss medications. As medication use is the cornerstone of psychiatric interventions, selection of agents utilizing receptor affinities, patient history/response, co–morbidities and unique dosing formulations (eg: long–acting injectable) that enhance cognition should be optimized. This paper is designed to provide a primer for clinicians to optimize adherence, medication selection and identify/monitor cognitive changes in their patient population from a question–based, narrative approach.