Talking to self in mirror
My DH with Alzheimer’s has been greeting himself in the mirror and I was wondering what people’s thoughts are about this. He also says hello to birds that fly by and waves hello at things when we drive by.
Comments
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My first thought is better him waving and saying hello than being scared. I might even engage with his reflection too, see what happens. Young children also wave and say hello to strangers etc… and we know our demented LOs often revert back to a childlike reality. When I first brought mom to live here, the PT said she was probably presenting, as far as walking, at about 18-36 mos of age. Her mind definitely followed suit.
Im sure others more articulate and knowledgeable than me will chime in.
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I would not be at all concerned.
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My DH, Stage 5 ALZ-PCA, no longer recognizes himself in pictures. So if your DH doesn't recognize himself he may think he's talking to a stranger. My DH comments on the beauty outside when we go for a drive. He comments about the beautiful clouds, flowers, trees. He's also now obsessed with the moon. Very child like. He insists I go look at it with him. On a more positive note, he also is now telling me that I'm "so beautiful" several times a day. Very heartwarming. ❤️
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DH was staring at himself in the bathroom mirror some months back (maybe even a year ago, I don't know...time is a blur anymore). Anyway, that day I noticed him making a funny face and then shaking his fist at the reflection so I asked what was going on. He said, he just wanted the guy to know not to mess with him (or something like that).
It let me know he thought the person in the mirror was someone else entirely. But he also recognizes himself in the mirror regularly, when washing his hands or brushing his teeth, etc. So, for us at least, it comes and goes.
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This sounds so much like my husband! He still recognizes himself, but everything else is him to a T!
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This is very interesting. Thank you.
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This could be happening with my DH. He's very up & down--in & out with all his symptoms. He definately still recognizes himself, but he could have moments when he doesn't & I don't know.
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I feel like you’re describing my husband. When he waves at himself in the mirror, I suspect he thinks it’s someone else at least for a moment but he always plays it off. He also waves at the cemetery and some houses when we’re driving. We used to walk the dog around a local old cemetery and hubby said I don’t like it here last time. He seemed very disturbed.
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My mother waved at herself and said that is my mother. I waved with her. It is one of the more beautiful memories of this disease.
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It's great when we can see the beauty in this challenging and mysterious experience.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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