Anxiety Related to the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or Related Diseases

Overview

Improving the diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders is a major public health challenge. This diagnosis occurs too late in the majority of cases, or is even sometimes non-existent for some despite the presence of clinical signs and symptoms. However, the etiological diagnosis of a TNC is crucial for the patient and his family to understand the most appropriate decisions for the future, to plan the organization of his life as long as he is able to do so, to access the clinical research, to promote dialogue between patients and their caregivers. On the contrary, a late diagnosis may be responsible for the fact that the patient and his / her family are less able to benefit from certain psychosocial interventions, services and treatments. But the diagnostic announcement is retained. One of the negative and dreaded effects of such an announcement is the negative psychological impact. Some studies show that the diagnostic announcement would worsen the level of anxiety or depressed mood and the risk of social isolation. On the other hand, other studies show that symptoms such as anxiety, psychic distress and depression remain stable, or even decrease slightly after the announcement of the diagnosis, in patients and their relatives. However, the literature is questionable because the majority of the studies are retrospective, mono-centric, and the patient numbers are low. While the first reactions of patients may be negative after the announcement, some report resignation experiences, or form of relief, because they have finally found a clinical explanation for the symptoms encountered. While doubt or diagnostic uncertainty, as well as the feeling of not knowing the truth, seem to have a more damaging psychological impact on the patient and those around him, increasing anxiety and confusion. The primary objective is to study if the level of anxiety 2 months after the announcement of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related disease is not superior to the level of anxiety before the announcement with patient / caregiver. This present study aim to explore the feasibility with 14 patients.

Improving the diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders is a major public health challenge. This diagnosis occurs too late in the majority of cases, or is even sometimes non-existent for some despite the presence of clinical signs and symptoms. However, the etiological diagnosis of a TNC is crucial for the patient and his family to understand the most appropriate decisions for the future, to plan the organization of his life as long as he is able to do so, to access the clinical research, to promote dialogue between patients and their caregivers. On the contrary, a late diagnosis may be responsible for the fact that the patient and his / her family are less able to benefit from certain psychosocial interventions, services and treatments. But the diagnostic announcement is retained. One of the negative and dreaded effects of such an announcement is the negative psychological impact. Some studies show that the diagnostic announcement would worsen the level of anxiety or depressed mood and the risk of social isolation. On the other hand, other studies show that symptoms such as anxiety, psychic distress and depression remain stable, or even decrease slightly after the announcement of the diagnosis, in patients and their relatives. However, the literature is questionable because the majority of the studies are retrospective, mono-centric, and the patient numbers are low. While the first reactions of patients may be negative after the announcement, some report resignation experiences, or form of relief, because they have finally found a clinical explanation for the symptoms encountered. While doubt or diagnostic uncertainty, as well as the feeling of not knowing the truth, seem to have a more damaging psychological impact on the patient and those around him, increasing anxiety and confusion. The primary objective is to study if the level of anxiety 2 months after the announcement of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related disease is not superior to the level of anxiety before the announcement with patient / caregiver. This present study aim to explore the feasibility with 14 patients.