Capgras Syndrome

ConcernedandAfar · December 13

I believe my mother has Alzheimers. She is 78 years old. My father is her primary caregiver. The challenge is she often seems to have Capgras Syndrome. She will go through periods where she does not recognise him and thinks he is an imposter. My brother lives with them and tells her this is Dad. My Dad tells her it's him, but she does not believe him. He will be in sitting on the couch and she doesn't recognize him. This is upsetting to my mom, who is convinced it's not him. It is also upsetting for my Dad who does not know what to do and is trying to care for her. I live in a different country, a one hour flight away. Have any of you dealt with this and if so how did you deal with this situation. It is very concerning and upsetting as we are already concerned and upset about her condition but it is so hard that the person that she is denying the person that she is closest to and that is trying to care for her.

H1235 · December 13

Welcome. Sorry you need to be here. What you are describing is not uncommon. It may be that she has forgotten your dad. Some people with dementia kind of time travel in their mind. So it could be that she doesn’t recognize you dad as the older man that he is now, but in her mind still sees him as a young 25 year old she first met. If this upsets her you might want to talk with her doctor about medication for anxiety. We have a very important rule here, never try to reason or argue with a person with dementia. There is probably nothing anyone can say to convince her it is really your dad and trying is only going to get everyone even more upset. It often best to live in their world so to speak. Come up with some kind of explanation why this “strange man” is living in her house. I know sometimes spouses have move to a spare bedroom to avoid upset. You dad may also want to talk with his doctor about anxiety medication. Dementia is awful, unfair, heartbreaking and just cruel. I have attached resources that may be helpful. I think that learning more about dementia may help some.

understanding-the-dementia-experience.pdf

Anosognosia and Dementia - AgingCare.com.pdf

DBAT.pdf

AmandaF · December 13

Hi,

My mom experienced this as well with my dad. It was terrible, and I’m sorry you’re going through it. It would usually last a few hours, maybe a day, and then end abruptly - so disconcerting for everyone. Meds might help - I’d talk to your mom’s doctor or neurologist if you haven’t. For my mom it seemed to be a visual issue, so if my dad called her on the phone from another room, she didn’t think he was an imposter. It’s great your brother is there to help them, but tell him there’s probably no point in trying to talk her out of her delusion when it’s happening, and might make her feel worse. I would just sit with my mom and empathize about how weird the whole experience was/try to reassure her (“There’s another guy here? I haven’t seen him but that does sound scary. Don’t worry we’re safe.” etc) Good luck.

Anonymousjpl123 · December 13

oh my gosh I literally just wrote about this on another post. Yes, it happened once. Mom visited me at home on the holidays in MC. She went back after a few days and said the visit was nice, but I wasn’t her daughter. It was a whole thing. I couldn’t call her, I couldn’t visit. It stopped after about a month.

I can’t give medical advice but seroquel helped my mom. I’m so so sorry for you and your dad. It will pass.

cdgbdr · December 13

My DH is Stage 5-6, currently in MC. He has had this to varying degrees for around a year and a half that I know of. He believes there are imposters of his friend, he doesn't always know me and his sister, we are the same, and he "knows" many he comes into contact with. There has been no way to shake the "imposter" perception.

SDianeL · 2:11AM

welcome. Some more resources that may help: Read the book “The 36 Hour Day” and search online for dementia caregiving videos by Tam Cummings or Teepa Snow. They are very helpful.

Capgras Syndrome

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