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A Systems Approach For The Assessment And Treatment Of Memory Problems

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The Comprehensive Handbook of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

The differentiation of “normal” forgetting from “abnormal” memory failure and the effective treatment of memory problems are two major areas of concern for clinicians and laymen today. Although it may be relatively easy to identify classic memory dysfunction in cases related to amnesia, Korsakoff syndrome, cerebral accidents, and advanced organic brain syndrome, the differentiation of mild and moderate cases from normal functioning presents considerable difficulty. The purpose of this chapter is twofold. The first is to evaluate our current practices in processing memory complaints and in diagnosing and treating memory dysfunctions. The second is to suggest a systems approach for diagnosing and treating memory problems. Specifically, this chapter will describe the use of behavioral techniques in the treatment of memory problems.

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  1. Leonard W. Poon
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gifford Mental Health Center, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, USA

    James M. Ferguson M.D. (Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) (Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

  2. Department of Psychiatry, VA Hospital, La Jolla, USA

    James M. Ferguson M.D. (Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) (Medical Director, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

  3. Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA

    C. Barr Taylor M.D. (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry)

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Poon, L.W. (1980). A Systems Approach For The Assessment And Treatment Of Memory Problems. In: Ferguson, J.M., Taylor, C.B. (eds) The Comprehensive Handbook of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7277-6_10

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