Alzheimer’s can cause a lot of symptoms regarding cognitive function and can impair memory, learning and communication. However, there are also many emotional and mental symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This can be difficult for the individual and their family and can make cognitive symptoms worse by disrupting mood.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are some things that can help you or your loved one cope with it. The whole situation can be daunting and difficult to navigate but knowing the emotional and psychological toll of the illness can be beneficial as it helps you identify the cause and potentially find a better way to manage the symptoms.
Before we go into coping methods, it’s a good idea to learn more about how Alzheimer’s can affect mental health.
Depression
Depression is very common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The rate of depression among people with Alzheimer’s is much higher than in the general population. The reasons for this may be related to both changes in the brain as well as the outlook and mood of the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms of depression in people who have Alzheimer’s can be similar to those of others. Common symptoms include sadness, guilt, shame, changes in sleeping habits, and grief. The person may grieve the fact that their future will not be as they anticipated, and they may struggle to find the motivation to tell their family or move out of the house.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another common mental health problem in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Anxiety can be characterized by excessive worry or fear as well as playful behaviour, aggression and irritability, and doubts about a future or present situation. Someone with Alzheimer’s may have concerns about treatment, timelines, and life in general.
Anxiety can also cause someone with Alzheimer’s to feel isolated or lonely. This can create fear about what people will miss in their lives and whether they will not be able to stay at home. It is often a fear about conflicting sides where the person does not want to know the future but knows it will be affected by the diagnosis.
Changes in Sleep
People with Alzheimer’s are unable to give the brain enough rest to sleep and sleep, and drastic changes in sleep patterns can also be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. In addition, sleep deprivation can also cause difficulty with cognitive function and worsen the development of Alzheimer’s.
Finding an effective treatment option to improve sleep may help slow the progression of the disease. Lack of sleep can also make anxiety worse and lead to other mental and emotional health problems.
Shock and Denial
Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is bound to affect emotional health and can put a person in a state of shock. It can be hard to process the events that are happening, and it can be hard to think logically about the situation.
Some people with Alzheimer’s disease may even go into periods of disbelief and denial. They may feel like the diagnosis is wrong or that they just had a day off during the test. They may even convince themselves that their memory problems are only a sign of old age and not a sign of Alzheimer’s.
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How to Cope
There are lots of strategies for diagnosing and dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It can be difficult to learn to move on and manage it immediately after diagnosis, but it is possible to slow progression and improve quality of life during this time.
First, regular health advice can go a long way in helping to improve mood and health. Symptoms can improve with regular exercise, enough sleep, and eating nutritious foods. You can also use stress management techniques to increase positivity, reduce stress, and relieve stress.
It is also important to have a support system. People with Alzheimer’s may try to isolate themselves but being around loved ones can be great for dealing with a variety of symptoms. It can be enlightening to have a support system to share your concerns and changes. You can also talk to your doctor or visit a mental health professional about your emotional and psychological symptoms.
Some Alzheimer’s patients find that writing down their thoughts in a journal can help them process information and organize their worries. You can write whatever you want, and it remains private. It can help you spot wrong thinking processes as well as places where your own thoughts may be causing distress.
It may also help to compile information about Alzheimer’s disease and seek advice from others who have gone through similar situations. It can also help relieve some of the anxiety because reading about the progression of the disease can help you know what to expect. You can find lots of great articles and resources about Alzheimer’s at BetterHelp. This type of information can help you prepare and find support for yourself and your loved ones.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s can be a debilitating disease and can cause problems with cognition, mental health, and personality. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease also struggle with depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues. These are things to consider when identifying the best ways to cope that you and your loved ones can do to slow the progression of the disease and manage current symptoms.
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