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Understanding your mental health

Cognitive & Behavioral Symptoms

Changes in memory or behavior can be concerning for you and those who care about you. They can have many causes, including sleep difficulties, depression, medication effects, medical illness, or a neurocognitive condition. A symptom is not the same as a dementia diagnosis.

Recognizing the experience

Symptoms you may notice

Experiences vary from person to person. These symptoms can have different causes and are not a diagnostic checklist.

  • Increasing forgetfulness or difficulty following conversations and familiar tasks
  • Changes in attention, planning, judgment, or managing medications and finances
  • New withdrawal, irritability, agitation, or other changes from usual behavior
  • Changes in sleep, mood, or everyday independence noticed by you or a caregiver

How daily life can be affected

Cognitive or behavioral changes may affect confidence, relationships, safety, and independent living. They can also increase caregiver strain. Understanding what has changed from your usual level of functioning helps identify appropriate supports while protecting dignity and personal preferences.

Looking at the whole picture

What an evaluation considers

Assessment is a conversation about your history, your health, and what matters to you. Your provider may:

  1. Review onset, pace of change, daily functioning, medical history, and current medications; include an authorized caregiver when appropriate.
  2. Use cognitive and mental health screening when indicated, recognizing that a screening result alone cannot establish a diagnosis.
  3. Coordinate with primary care, neurology, or other specialists for medical evaluation, testing, and assessment of potentially reversible contributors.

Support, shaped around you

Psychiatric care can address contributing mood, anxiety, sleep, or behavioral concerns alongside appropriate medical assessment. Care may include medication review, supportive routines, caregiver education, and coordinated referrals. Psychiatric evaluation does not replace a comprehensive medical or neurological workup when needed.

Explore Geriatric Psychiatry

Know when to seek help

Warning signs that need attention

Sudden or rapidly worsening confusion is not a normal part of aging and requires urgent medical evaluation. Call 911 for possible stroke signs such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty, or for a serious injury or immediate danger. Do not wait for a routine psychiatric visit.

Do not wait for a routine appointment in a crisis.
In the U.S., call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate danger or a medical emergency. For suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Marenova Wellness is not an emergency or crisis service.

Further reading from a public health resource

MedlinePlus: Understanding Dementia (opens in a new tab)

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For your understanding, not a diagnosis
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace an individualized psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, or professional treatment plan.