Understanding Behavior in HD.final.8-18-05 - Huntington's Disease ...

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Preface
This book was written for the caregivers and people affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD). Caregivers
may include family members (partners, children, parents, and siblings), friends, and direct care staff (nurses,
nursing assistants, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and social workers). The materials
will also be useful to other professionals, such as neurologists, general practitioners, psychologists and
psychiatrists, who provide advice to persons with HD and their caregivers. This book was intended to help
better understand the various causes of behaviors in HD and to provide strategies to cope with difficult
behaviors.
People used to argue about whether behavior was “caused” by genes, diet, weather, politics, child-rearing
practices, or a variety of other potential influences. Today we find it more useful to think of multiple causes of
behavior, including past experiences, current health, and expectations for the future. Over the past several
years, scientists have discovered many ways in which the brain contributes to behavior. Many of the behavior
patterns observed in persons with HD are similar because the same part of the brain is affected in everyone
with HD. Throughout this book I have addressed some of the major behavior patterns that we see in persons
with HD.