Alzheimer's Mood Swings in the Early Stages
Alzheimer's mood swings in the early stages can be stressful and frightening for loved ones and caregivers. The best thing you can do to help the person with AD and yourself is to learn all you can about Alzheimer's and how it affects the brain. Oftentimes the person experiences anger, personality changes, impatience and gets upset with changes. In the beginning everyone has to learn how to cope with these changes.
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Causes of Mood Swings
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Determining the cause of mood swings is key in understanding how to handle the situation. Unfortunately, it is not always clear what the cause is; many factors come into consideration. The mood swings may be a result of medication reactions or it can indicate a urinary tract infection or a fever. In the early stages the person with AD is usually able to communicate any physical distress.
In the early stages of Alzheimer's, the individual may know that something is wrong, it can lead to feelings of anger, frustration and sometimes depression. Confusion and memory loss cause the same feelings.
Pay close attention to what may trigger the onset of mood swings and learn how to effectively handle the situation. Also, keep in mind the mood swings may be completely random, going from laughing to crying in seconds and no particular incident seems to have set this off. All you can do at that time is provide quiet comfort or try to redirect the patient to an activity.
How to Handle Mood Swings
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Arguing with someone suffering with Alzheimer's is usually a wasted endeavor; it will only cause you to become angry and frustrated as well. Instead you are better off using a calm voice and switch the focus to something else. Offer support when appropriate; don't point out mistakes or failures. It is best to just say comforting things, like "I understand it's hard," put the patient's mind at ease tell her she is safe and you are there to help her if she needs you. Keep your statements positive and supportive.
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Keep Things Simple
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In the early stages struggling with choices and decisions can cause mood swings, what used to be simple, like choosing clothes for the day, may now be complex. Limit choices and keep tasks simple. Do everything one step at a time.
Establishing Routine
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Alzheimer's mood swings can be reduced by keeping routines, the person with AD will feel more safe and secure. Usually the person in the early stages finds his own routine and derives comfort by keeping that routine. Let him keep as much control as possible, arguing or trying to "rearrange" the schedule causes unneeded stress and confrontations. As the disease progresses, a caregiver will generally dictate schedule or routine. For now, relax your standards about what you feel he should be doing.
Medications
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Medications should be considered as a last resort to deal with Alzheimer's mood swings, according to The Alzheimer's Association. Putting more drugs in the system should only be considered with severe symptoms are present or when physical harm to themselves or others is indicated. Only then should anti-depressants, tranquilizers or anti-psychotic drugs be carefully considered. No drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat behavioral symptoms with Alzheimer's.
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- Photo Credit Amanda Niecamp: Flickr.com
