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What does a neurophysiological test involve?
The patient is placed in front of a computer screen. A specialised cap is then placed on the patients head and conductive gel is used at the terminals of the cap. Brainwave activity from the patient is able to be registered, transposed onto a screen, and recorded in graphical form. Recordings of brain function can be analysed against normative data. This is an entirely painless and risk free procedure. The test takes approximately 30 - 40 minutes to conduct.
To obtain a Medicare rebate for the test you must have a referral from your doctor or specialist. This referral should be made out to Dr. E. Zeltzer
Dopamine, Noradrenaline and Serotonin are all Catecholamines. These are neurotransmitters and they are responsible for the normal functioning of the brain. A balanced mix of these chemicals in the brain is very important. They allow you to lay down new memories, to stay alert, to be happy, and they contribute to the person you are and to your well-being.
The neurophysiological tests (qEEG) measure the signals in the brain, i.e. frequencies. Different frequencies are given different names: theta, beta, alpha, delta etc.
The concept of DAMP (deficits in attention, motor control, and perception) has been in clinical use in Scandinavia for about 20 years. DAMP is diagnosed on the basis of concomitant attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and developmental coordination disorder in children who do not have severe learning disability or cerebral palsy. In the clinically severe form it affects about 1.5% of the general population of school age children; another few percent are affected by more moderate variants. Boys are overrepresented; girls are currently probably under diagnosed. There are many co-morbid problems/overlapping conditions, including conduct disorder, depression/anxiety, and academic failure. There is a strong link with autism spectrum disorders in severe DAMP.
Evoked Response Potential's (ERP's) are obtained from EEG's, however unlike EEG's which represent spontaneous brain activity, the ERP is generated to a specific stimulus, i.e. visual or auditory cue.
These are broad definitions describing different types of Attention Deficit Disorders. Depression is not a fleeting sadness but a relentless sense of despair. A lack of interest in life accompanied by weight loss, loss of appetite, feelings of uselessness and sleep disturbance are some of the more common symptoms. Mild Depression -usually causes symptoms that are detectable and impact upon our daily activities. There is a loss of interest in things previously enjoyed and an accompanied unusual irritability. Reduced motivation in work, home or social activities are common however the person continues to function - perhaps not as well as previously when mentally healthy. Mild depression often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are not considered to be 'bad enough'. Moderate Depression - can cause real difficulties with work, social and domestic activities. The characteristics described for mild depression are worse here - by definition. There is usually a detectable reduction in self confidence and/or self-esteem which can have a 'snowball' effect as motivation is greatly reduced hence reducing productivity. Often there is a growing sense of worry about things unnecessarily such as performance at work, even when there has been an ability to maintain previous standards. There is greater sensitivity and susceptibility to having hurt feelings or being offended within personal relationships. Severe or Major Depression - causes considerable distress, agitation, loss of self-esteem or feelings of uselessness and guilt. There is an inability to continue to function in work or in social and domestic activities. Severe or major depression usually causes severe enough symptoms for a change to be noticeable by others even though the person tries to mask his/her feelings. Suicide - While the person may be managing one moment, they can plummet very quickly into feelings of hopelessness and despair. It is common for people to feel that they are somehow responsible or 'to blame' for the way they are feeling and believe that others are better off without them. Frequently Asked Questions About GP Mental Health Care Plan What is involved in a GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)? The GP must first complete a detailed assessment and diagnosis of the client. The GP must then prepare the GP MHCP which includes documenting results of the assessment, patient's needs, goals and actions, referrals and required treatment/services, and a review date. There is no particular form that is used for preparing the MHCP. The GP MHCP entitles the patient up to 12 psychology services rebated by Medicare. How often does a new GP MHCP have to be prepared? There is a restriction of one GP MHCP per patient in a 12 month period. This means that if a GP MHCP was drawn up in March 2007, a new one can not be made until March 2008. A new GP MHCP should not be prepared unless clinically required. There is also a restriction of 12 psychology sessions in a calendar year, which means that whether sessions come from a 2007 plan or a 2008 plan, there can only be 12 sessions in total for a calendar year. Can my specialist refer me for psychology services or do I have to go to a General Practitioner? Yes, a specialist such as a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist can refer patients for psychological services as long as they use their private Medicare Provider Number. It is different to the MHCP that General Practitioners set up, but patients are still able to claim Medicare rebates. Speak to your specialist about this if you are unsure. What happens if I haven't used up all the sessions I was referred for by the end of the calendar year? If all the referred services (sessions) are not used during the calendar year in which they were referred, the unused services may be used in the next calendar year, where they will count towards the maximum number of services able to be received during that year. For example, if a patient was referred for 12 psychology sessions under the GP MHCP in September 2006, and used 6 by 31st December 2006, the patient can have the remaining 6 in the following year until a new plan can be drawn up in September 2007. When the new plan is granted, the patient can only use a maximum of 6 of these sessions, as they have already used 6 from the old plan that goes towards the 12 session limit for the calendar year. Are there any circumstances under which a patient can receive more than the allowable 12 rebatable psychological services per calendar year? The referring medical practitioner (GP) may consider that in 'exceptional circumstances' the patient may require an additional six psychological services over and above those already provided (to a maximum 18 services per patient per calendar year). In these cases, a new referral to the psychologist should be provided and exceptional circumstances noted in that referral. What if I have private health cover? Can I claim the GP MHCP and rebates on my private health cover? No. Patients will need to decide if they will use Medicare (GP MHCP) or their private health insurance to pay for their psychology service. They can not use both. Patients may wish to use their private health insurance in circumstances where they get a better rebate, have exhausted their 12 GP MHCP sessions, or do not have a specific mental disorder (i.e. the GP MHCP does not apply to them). (Information above is taken from The Australian Psychological Society. Further information about the GP MHCP can be found at www.psychology.org.au/medicare/faqs/, by calling Medicare Australia on 13 20 11 or by calling our head office at the BrainWave Centre on (02) 9879 8000) |
