Alzheimer's or severe PTSD

AmishDrifter

Hi, Not sure if my wife is getting Alzheimer's or what I know her Grandmother had it. She comes up with delusional thoughts that my parents hate her and conspired with her daughter to ruin her through Tik Tok and just makes up things that are not true. Any thoughts?

Jeanne C.

With my husband, we didn't get the paranoia and delusions managed until he was on meds. You can't reason with your wife if her "reasoner" is broken. Are you able to get her to see a doctor? It's going to take a neurologist and/or geri-psychologist to get her on the right medications.

I'm sorry you and your wife are going through this.

AmishDrifter

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/200271#Comment_200271

Hello, She does not think there is anything wrong with her and get's extremely upset with me if I try to say anything. Now she is saying If I talk to my parents it's over between us. Don't know what to do.

AmishDrifter

She thinks if I talk to my parents I am disrespecting her and not standing up for her. Sad

M1

welcome to the forum. Your instincts are probably right, it's probably Alzheimer's: but there are a number of treatable medical conditions that need to be ruled out. One strategy a lot of folks here have used is to tell her an annual visit to a doctor is required or she will lose her insurance. Then, you should give the doctor a detailed description of your concerns and her behaviors before the visit--probably in writing. Medications can definitely help, these are not things (especially the paranoia) that can be handled without meds, typically.

You need to also be sure you have medical and financial power of attorney for her. this can be done through a certified elder law attorney (look at nelf.org).

Jeanne C.

Unfortunately, she may have anosognosia- basically it's not denial - she truly cannot see that she has impairment because of her illness. Sometimes a therapeutic lie (aka fiblet) is needed. Maybe schedule an appointment for her, give a note to the doctor in advance detailing what you're seeing (make sure they know she is resistant), and then get her to go to the appointment by telling her it's mandatory for insurance. I know it's hard and it feels awful to lie, but you're doing it for her health and safety.

Ed1937

Get her in to see the doctor because she needs to be seen or she will lose her insurance, typically Medicare. You can tell her you think it's BS, but you already had to do it to keep yours intact. Make her think you agree with her, but there's nothing that you can do about it.

"but there are a number of treatable medical conditions that need to be ruled out." It needs to be treated ASAP if there is a reversible problem. If you wait too long, the treatment may do no good. It may not be a treatable condition, but the stakes are too high not to pursue it.

mrahope

I completely agree with the above. FWIW, if you are of Medicare age, there is an "annual Medicare Wellness visit" that you can tell her is free and without it, she might lose her Medicare coverage. Just my .02