Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects various aspects of an individual’s mental abilities since it is a degenerative brain disease. Along with thinking, reasoning, and memory, the disease can also impact a person’s personality.
Personality Changes
Personality changes in Alzheimer’s patients can be wide-ranging, as the disease can potentially affect any or all personality traits that an individual had before its onset. The changes can also be minor or drastic. For example, an individual who was usually calm and collected might become nervous and agitated, while someone who was prone to anger and irritability could become gentler and more placid.
Tom’s Story
In the case of Tom, he was more of an outgoing guy who loved to be with his buddies. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease approximately 3 years ago, it’s now obvious his personality has changed. For example, over the past few months, when his guy friends called to invite him out for a game of pool or out for lunch, he stated he didn’t want to go. His wife wasn’t sure why he was acting this way and reached out to us for some support and guidance. She couldn’t understand why Tom didn’t want to be with his good friends anymore. She was aware he was losing his ability to recall things due to his Alzheimer’s disease but found it hard to comprehend why he wasn’t interested in doing the things he used to do.
The Reason for The Changes
The reason for these changes is that Alzheimer’s disease causes the degeneration of brain function. Personality is a combination of instinctual behavior and learned actions that are based on an individual’s way of thinking, learning, understanding, and emotions. As the disease progresses, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may forget what they have learned, including their learned and instinctual behaviors.
Observing a loved one’s personality transform over time is a challenging experience. It can trigger feelings of grief in family members as they mourn the loss of the person they once knew.
It can be incredibly heart-wrenching to witness significant changes in the behavior of someone you care about, whether they have been diagnosed with dementia or not. As you watch your loved one struggle with these changes, it can be difficult to come to terms with the loss of the person you once knew and cherished.
Seek Advice
However, it is essential to seek the advice of a specialist to identify the root cause of these changes. This can help in determining the best course of action and ensure that your loved one receives the appropriate care and support.
In addition to seeking medical guidance, it can also be helpful to seek emotional support for yourself and your family. Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences, either through individual or group support, can offer comfort and solace during these challenging times. Remember, you are not alone, and there is help and support available to you.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this blog are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional.
