Can things settle down?

Nanpr

I haven’t been on here in awhile. My mom does not have a formal diagnosis. She first showed behaviour and personality changes 2 years ago. Along with some hallucinations. She has been living with me for a year now, since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. We are still noticing some subtle changes, but for the most part things have been relatively calm for the last  4-5 months. I find myself always trying to figure out what is coming next. I know it’s so different for everyone. It sure can cause anxiety not knowing what to expect. 

Have any of you experience severe behaviour and personality changes only for them to go away? Do they eventually come back or does it just depend on the person? I also wonder if having a purpose to help me has helped her?  I find this disease so confusing and stressful. 

Stuck in the middle

I think having someone to help definitely helps any conscientious person.  Having purpose in my life improves my mood and well-being, and I see no reason it would not do the same for your mother.  

You have stated your mother hasn't been definitely diagnosed with an organic brain disorder.  I suspect her symptoms (behavior and personality changes) just might be unrelated to any dementia she may experience.  

I'm sorry you have cancer.  I am a survivor of the male equivalent of breast cancer and I hope your outcome is as good as mine has been.  Maybe you and your mother can continue to assist one another and both benefit from that interchange.  Good luck.

sandwichone123

My LO hasn't had any severe behaviors, but I will say that he improved in many respects when we reduced the stress in his life (got him retired out of a job he hadn't successfully been able to do for many months). I still see progression in some ways, but despite that he looks better overall than he did a year ago, when he stopped working.

Mint

My mom has personality and behavior changes.  Makes some things very challenging.  Has went on for a number of years.

Nanpr

Thanks for your response ‘stuck in the middle’. I do think that my mom having a purpose has helped. Also having my family around. I think that when she was isolated during covid is when we started noticing more behaviour and personality changes, but we definitely had started noticing small things prior to this. I’m just glad we’re having a bit of a break from the behaviour. I expect at some point it will return. 

Thank you for sharing about your own diagnosis! I’m glad you are doing well! It’s definitely a tough journey.

Nanpr

Thanks for your response ‘sandwichone123’. I think that my mom moving in with me has reduced some stress in her life, so this may be also why she seems a bit more calm these days. I know with this disease things can change from one day to the next. I need to try and take one day at a time. I find it so hard to do. I’m always looking for changes and answers. Which gives me anxiety if I don’t find answers or know what’s coming next. I need to shift my thinking around this terrible disease.

Nanpr

I’m so sorry ‘sayra’ that your mom has behaviour and personality changes. We went through this for at least a year and a half and right now things have settled for the time being. It is not easy to deal with. It makes like very stressful. I still see personality changes, but they’re not accompanied by the difficult behaviours right now. One day at a time is what we have to try and do with this disease. It’s not easy.