Has your beloved mother, father, or grandmother suddenly started saying strange things, being afraid of someone, or being angry with you for no reason? Do they see or hear things that are not there? You may feel very sad, scared, and worried when you see this. This is what we medically call dementia-related psychosis, or psychosis. This is part of dementia itself. But remember, if left untreated, it can lead to very serious problems.
Why is it so important to treat this condition?
Simply put, dementia is a disease in which brain function gradually deteriorates, especially memory loss. Psychosis is a group of additional symptoms that can occur with this disease. This is when you are unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
Everyone with dementia will experience this condition at some point in their life. More than memory loss, this mental confusion is the most distressing thing for the patient and for you, the caregiver. Although there is no cure for this, with the right medication and other treatments, these unpleasant thoughts and feelings can be controlled and major problems can be prevented. Let's now look at what can happen if left untreated.
| Possible problem if left untreated | A description of what can happen from it |
|---|---|
| Relationship breakdown | The patient suddenly becomes aggressive, suspicious, and scolds. For example, they may accuse their own child of "you're stealing my money." Even if they realize that these are just words spoken because of the disease and not what they really mean, those words can still cause great pain to the listener. |
| Shame and loneliness | The patient may be embarrassed to tell others that they are seeing or hearing things that are not there. They keep these things to themselves for fear that "others will ostracize me, laugh at me." The loneliness they feel when they feel that no one understands what they are going through is terrible. |
| Sleep problems | The dark of night is a very scary time for them. They may see a shadow on the wall and shout, "A thief has come." Some people are confused about whether their dreams are real or fake. This makes it difficult for the patient and others in the house to sleep well. |
| Hospitalizations and nursing homes | Sometimes, when a patient's behavior becomes unmanageable, caregivers have to take them to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). If this situation continues, some may even decide to send their loved one to a nursing home. This is both painful and costly. |
| Physical injuries and accidents | This condition can cause the patient to harm themselves or others. For example, they may think, "My wife is trying to poison me," and try to attack her. Or they may think, "Someone is chasing me," and try to jump off a balcony or run into the street. |
| Disease worsening and life expectancy decreasing | If this mental disorder is left untreated, dementia can get worse more quickly. Studies have even shown that people with these symptoms are more likely to die sooner than those without them. |
What should we do?
If your loved one has symptoms like these, the most important thing to do is not to be afraid or embarrassed, but to see a doctor immediately and talk about it.
Remember, this is not your loved one's fault, nor is it something they do on purpose. It is just part of the disease. It's like a wound that doesn't heal quickly when someone with diabetes gets it.
The doctor will carefully examine the patient's condition and prescribe the necessary medications to control this mental disorder. These medications work by controlling certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that are unbalanced, reducing those dangerous thoughts and feelings.
Benefits of treatment
- Patient calming down: Aggression, screaming, and suspicion decrease, and the patient calms down.
- Safety is ensured: The risk of harming oneself or others is greatly reduced.
- Comfort for the family: When the patient is calm, you also feel a great sense of relief in caring for him. It helps to preserve family relationships.
- Increased quality of life: Both the patient and you will be able to live a more peaceful, quality life.
Things you can do as a caregiver
In addition to the treatments your doctor provides, there are several things you can do.
- Stay calm: Don't yell or get angry when the patient is upset. They are more likely to calm down when you speak calmly and gently.
- Don't argue: Don't try to prove what they're saying is "false." For example, if they say, "There's someone in the room," instead of arguing, "There's no one," say something like, "Okay, let's see. I'm with you, don't be afraid."
- Distract them: When they're feeling stressed, play an old song they like, talk about looking at an old photo album, etc. That way, you can divert their attention.
- Create a safe environment: Reduce harsh lighting in the bedroom at night. Remove objects that create dangerous shadows. Don't leave things like sharp weapons where they can get their hands on them.
This journey is difficult. But remember, you are not alone. With the right medical advice and your love and kindness, you can face this challenge.
Take-Home Message
- Psychosis associated with dementia is part of the disease itself, not the patient's fault.
- Leaving these symptoms untreated can have serious consequences, such as the breakdown of family relationships, accidents, and worsening of the disease.
- If you notice symptoms such as seeing or hearing things that aren't there, don't be shy or afraid and see a doctor.
- With the right medications and treatment, this condition can be very successfully controlled and the quality of life for the patient and you can be improved.
- Avoid arguing with the patient. Instead, try to calmly, kindly, and distract them.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න