DH is in denial

sunshine5

He says nothing wrong with me.

He says he has no AD.

Iris L.

This is anosognosia.  It is distinct from denial.  If you try to convince him, he will become upset.  Don't confront him.  Someone may have a link to an article for you to read more about it.  

Iris L.

sunshine5

Thanks Iris

I did some reading 

He is having a 4 hour neuropsychological testing next month, so we will know more then.

HSW

My DH was the same except he did acknowledge being forgetful. Since he was in denial he decided to believe it was from all the knocks on the head. I would add all his drinking killed his brain cells. It was a real tough time for us, a lot of drama

Southernmemere

My DH is the same & gets very upset with my reminders! At first he would say, “it’s just my age & this is what happens when you get old”, not anymore, he’s in total denial. We too have an appt. with a Neurological Memory Specialist  for an evaluation & my prayers are that he can give us a correct diagnosis.  I am so concerned about his lack of interest in food. Our cleaning lady saw him feeding his lunch to our dog…no wonder she’s gaining & he’s loosing!

Iris L.

Knocks on the head is called pugilistic dementia.  This can be from sports like boxing or soccer or football.  Or from whiplash or other accidents or falls or work injuries.  Alcohol also cause its own dementia.  A thorough evaluation by a neurologist can help determine the correct etiology.  Some treatment might be available. 

 Iris

jfkoc

The diagnosis is not as important as the care.  Do a lot of reading.

Crushed

Iris L. wrote:

Knocks on the head is called pugilistic dementia.  This can be from sports like boxing or soccer or football.  Or from whiplash or other accidents or falls or work injuries.  Alcohol also cause its own dementia.  A thorough evaluation by a neurologist can help determine the correct etiology.  Some treatment might be available. 

 Iris

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy Other names Traumatic encephalopathy syndrome, dementia pugilistica,[1] punch drunk syndrome

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated blows to the head. The encephalopathy symptoms can include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking.[1][2] The disease often gets worse over time and can result in dementia.[2] It is unclear if the risk of suicide is altered.[1]

Most documented cases have occurred in athletes involved in striking-based combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Muay Thai—hence its original name dementia pugilistica (Latin for "fistfighter's dementia")—and contact sports such as American football, Australian rules football, professional wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, and association football (soccer),[1][4] but also in semi-contact sports such as baseball and basketball. Other risk factors include being in the military, prior domestic violence, and repeated banging of the head.[1] The exact amount of trauma required for the condition to occur is unknown, and as of 2021 definitive diagnosis can only occur at autopsy.[1] The disease is classified as a tauopathy.[1]

Ed1937

When someone has anosognosia, it is not the same as denial. Anasognosia is the inability to realize something is wrong with them. If the doctor shows them test results that confirm the diagnosis, they will say they got the tests mixed up with someone else or the doctor is a quack. You will never make them believe the diagnosis. It's best to never mention it to them. No good can come from it.

Stunned805

We always thought some of my husband's dementia came from the hits to the  head he experienced when he was younger, from fighting and such. It's such a shame. I'm sure now that he's passed so young, he would not have done that if he had known.

Stuck in the middle

We all think we're so tough that it won't happen to us.  That didn't work out for Mohammad Ali, and he was the best there ever was, but you can't tell us that when we're young.

HSW

By the time I finally got my DH to go to a doctor his short term memory was about a day. I guess for him having issues associated with drinking and fighting was manly. Old age was never in the picture as he was 54 when diagnosed. His rejection of Alzheimer's was immediate and often violent during my learning phase. Nothing could be discussed in front of the doctor nor would he go to any doctor related to psychology. I faxed the journal of his behavior and provided updates prior to appointments. His reaction to pain was so terrible, I would have to go outside and call the doctors office. Imagine believing you are being raped every night or someone is forcing antifreeze down your throat. It was awful. He had rock hard pops which ripped and a mystery pain which turned out to be Celiac artery compression syndrome.

 Now due to covid restrictions, I will say he has Alzheimer's and he has no reaction.