The Neurobehavior Division is comprised of both comprehensive neuropsychology and neuropschiatry services.

Neuropsychology services include comprehensive assessment services for adult, geriatric and pediatric patients in whom impairments of cognitive or neuropsychiatric functioning are evident or suspected. Our services include outpatient evaluation and inpatient consultation services. Neuropsychological assessment involves a systematic evaluation of higher cognitive abilities such as intelligence, academic skill, memory, language, attention, problem-solving ability, and visual-motor skills, as well as sensorimotor and personality/emotional functioning. The Neuropsychology Division can provide assessment and treatment recommendations for a wide range of conditions that may affect functioning, including:

Neuropsychological assessment contributes to clinical decisions about:

The Neuropsychology Division also offers training programs at the graduate, internship and residency levels.

Since 1991, the Neuropsychiatric Division of the Department of Psychiatry has been providing support to patients with brain disease, many of whom suffer from emotional and behavioral problems. Our services include inpatient care, consultation services and outpatient care. Neuropsychiatric services are provided by the Department of Psychiatry in a unique interdisciplinary collaboration with the departments of: Neurosurgery, Neurology, Nuclear Medicine, and Rehabilitation Medicine and Restorative Medical Sciences.

Neuropsychiatric services at UIC offer help for patients with behavioral and/or psychological problems caused by:

Neurological conditions:

• CVA
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurrosarcoidosis
• Parkinson’s Diseases
• Huntington’s Diseases
• All other neurological diseases causing psychological symptoms
• Developmental Disabilities
• Epilepsy
• Head Injury
• Dementia
• Alzheimer’s
• Vascular Neurosurgical treatment complications
• Intracranial aneurysm
• Arteriovenous malformation
• Brain tumors

Common symptoms of neuropsychiatric illnesses include:

• Mood Disturbances
• False Beliefs
• Personality Changes
• Hallucinations
• Disinhibited Behavior
• Aggressive Behavior
• Apathy
• Anxiety
• Inappropriate Sexual Behavior
• Memory Impairment

Outpatient Services

Neuropsychiatric outpatient services provide evaluation, follow up, medication management and consultations. Referrals to brain imaging, neuropsychological testing may be made to help diagnose and develop treatment. Psychoeducation and support groups are provided to help patients and their families learn how to cope with stress related to neuropsychiatric illness.

Inpatient Services

Neuropsychiatric Inpatient Services include require voluntary admission on Psychiatry. The service offers state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques such as brain imaging studies, electrophysiological assessments and individualized treatment programs which combine:

• Psychopharmacological Approaches
• Behavior Modification techniques
• Home Health Care Follow up
• Cognitive Retraining
• Psycho-education

Health Psychology Service

The Health Psychology Clinic provides clinical psychological services for adult patients and their families who are dealing with medical diagnosis and treatment. The service is staffed by professionals who have experience in the psychological issues associated with various medical problems. Comprehensive care is provided through collaboration with the patient's physician, or through consultation with other services in Psychiatry, e.g., for psychotropic medications. Following an initial evaluation of biological, psychological, and social factors, an individualized treatment plan is developed to help the client cope with or adjust to the problems he/she is facing. Many of our clients are struggling to manage stressful medical situations that are associated with anxiety, depression, marital/family problems, end-of life issues, or difficult lifestyle adjustments. Others may have difficulty complying with medical regimens, or may need evaluations of competency to make treatment decisions. Our general treatment approach is to follow a cognitive-behavioral perspective in which we collaborate with patients to alter their behavior or their thinking to promote more adaptive problem-solving strategies and emotional reactions. Research is also an integral part of the Health Psychology Service. Ongoing projects include studies of the psychological impacts of being a stem cell donor, understanding of informed consent in behavioral research, and emotional and social factors in COPD

 

Contact Information
Phone: (312) 996-6139
Neurobehavior Division
Neil H. Pliskin, PhD, ABPP-CN, Chief
912 South Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60612