Personality changes

jsmale

so my husband was diagnosed with early onset within the last year. I (and the kids) have noticed some personality changes, only word I can think of is silly acting. Before we told my son (adult) he said on more than one occasion “why is dad acting weird”? Is this “normal”? Thanks and Merry Xmas

White Crane

jsmale, my husband went through this silly acting stage early on. It was embarrassing at times to watch him act that way…especially when my friend's husbands were all behaving normally. I remember watching a movie about Glenn Campbell, the singer. He had Alzheimer's. It hit me that he was acting silly just the way my husband was acting. As time has passed, the silliness has stopped. I'm sorry you and your family…and your husband…are having to go through this.

Brenda

WeepingWillow

My dh has early onset as well and the personality changes are one of the biggest things I've noticed. I have noticed he seems much less inhibited at times but then swings to very easily irritated.

jsmale

yes! Almost giddy at times (which is not a problem just a drastic change from his personality) and it seems to be more when he’s around a group of people. Thanks for your response :)

jsmale

thanks for your input. As you know it’s just so frustrating to know what is the disease and what isn’t. Good to confirm my suspicions tho….this is exactly why I joined this group :)

jsps139_

That stage does pass … thankfully! I remember being at a Christmas Dinner with over 50 people. My husband rolled up 2 napkins and put them up his nostrils and said, “I’m a pig!” I was so embarrassed and everyone at our table just looked away. I was so so happy when that silly stuff ended. He was always a funny guy, but not childish like he became for awhile.
Welcome to this wonderful group jsmale. Caregiving is more bearable with a group like this one!

amgold07

Hi everyone I am new here. My dad was formally diagnosed about 2 weeks ago although I cant say we were totally surprised. One of the first signs for us was a total personality change. He was always such a sweet, kind and easy-manored person. Then he started with the agitation about 5 years ago. It was brutal. He would be down right nasty at times. Thankfully that stage has subsided. Now he's more quiet and more confused and back to being sweet most of the time. Definitely becoming more helpless. All the stages suck. Now hes getting lost and more confused. Ugh. I miss my old Dad a lot. Merry Christmas everyone 🎄

harshedbuzz

@jsmale

A change in personality/behavior is pretty common early on. With my dad, it preceded overt memory issues by a couple years.

A couple of dementia-related issues can play into this. One is a loss of social filter and increase in impulsivity which can lead to inappropriate behavior. Another is that many people with earlier stage dementia do attempt to use humor to deflect from their confusion and memory issues.

HB

jsmale

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232117#Comment_232117

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232085#Comment_232085

oh no! That must have been hard on you but I did get a laugh out of it🙊 Guess I’ll just be ready for anything.

jsmale

thanks for your reply. It’s nice to be able to get on here with my questions and hear different experiences!