Can a person tell you they have alzheimer's, and still have anosognosia?

Ed1937

Gothic Gremlin had a thread that made me think about that. Here's what I came up with. This is interesting. Can a person tell you they have alzheimer's, and still have anosognosia? I think the answer comes down to if they understand they have the symptoms they have. If their banking account always needs to be corrected, but they think they are doing just fine with it - yes, that's anosognosia. They've had several minor fender benders, and they get lost, but think they are just fine behind the wheel - yes, that's anosognosia. They started a fire in the kitchen, and had other problems cooking, but they think they're just fine - yes, that's anosognosia. So can a person tell you they have alzheimer's, and still have anosognosia? I'd say the answer is yes. Do they understand what it means to have alzheimer's? That's another question. If you don't agree, or if you do agree, please speak up. I'd like to hear it.

HollyBerry

Absolutely.  She's sitting across the table from me right now.

Last week she told the PT she has Alzheimers and might not remember the exercises she is supposed to do. Then on the way home she tore into me because I never let her drive any more.

She knows she has this disease and she knows her brain doesn't work like it used to. And at the same time, she thinks her solutions to problems are perfectly fine even though they're not.

GothicGremlin

Hi Ed and HollyBerry -

Yes, I think I agree with you both.

I've seen this with my sister -- She knows she has this disease and she knows her brain doesn't work like it used to. And at the same time, she thinks her solutions to problems are perfectly fine even though they're not.

This also feels true - Do they understand what it means to have alzheimer's? That's another question. After much thought, I don't think my sister understands what it means to have Alzheimer's even though she knows she has it.

So maybe not understanding how impacted she is can be a form of anosognosia? I'm starting to think so.