A recently widowed patient complains of memory loss, trouble concentrating, and an inability to perform daily activities. Neuropsychological evaluation shows an above average ability to learn long lists of words, with a moderately impaired recall of these words and a normal recognition memory. MMPI-2 results suggest depression. The most appropriate diagnosis for this patient would be ___.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms and test results suggest pseudodementia, which is a condition where cognitive symptoms are caused by depression rather than an underlying neurological disorder. The presence of depression, as indicated by the MMPI-2 results, and the specific pattern of memory performance (good learning ability with moderately impaired recall but normal recognition) are more consistent with pseudodementia than with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or stroke.

A Recently Widowed Patient Complains of Memory Loss, Trouble Concentrating