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Article: Dementia diagnosis brings patient, caregiver relief.(Mental Health)
- Article from:
- Family Practice News
- Article date:
- February 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ORLANDO -- Contrary to many physicians' fears, disclosing a diagnosis of dementia to patients and their caregivers does not produce negative reactions, and in some cases actually lowers their anxiety and depression levels, according to a survey.
The findings should encourage physicians to be more up front when faced with reporting such a diagnosis, said the study's lead investigator Brian D. Carpenter, Ph.D., of the department of psychology at Washington University, St. Louis.
In a review paper, Dr. Carpenter's team reported that reluctance to disclose a dementia diagnosis is common among physicians (Gerontologist 2004;44:149-58).
"On average, ...