Odd Mirror Behavior

dcare45 · September 22

Today I found my DW having a full-on conversation with herself in front of a large mirror we have. She has some aphasia so I could only understand a few words here and there. She was asking questions, seemed to answer or respond, smiling, making facial expressions, laughing, and hand motions. Looking directly in the mirror. It went on for about 15 minutes or so until she noticed me and walked my way. Very weird to see.

I know PWD can get to the point where they don't recognize themselves and I don't think this was a hallucination. Was wondering if others have experienced similar and if it foreshadowed a change.

White Crane · September 22

I haven’t experienced that, but I know that my husband no longer recognizes himself in photographs.

blacksparky · September 22

My DW has done this many times in the past. She just goes on and on with a conversation. She also will stand 6 inches from the tv and talk to the people on there. She seems to enjoy the interaction so I just let her enjoy it.

fesk · September 22

It's very common. Be happy she gets along with the person in the mirror! Sometimes they need to be covered when it's an issue.

persevere · September 22

My wife, who also has total aphasia, will acknowledge herself in the mirror sometimes. But one of the funniest moments was when my helper noticed a nose tip and lip prints - she had evidently given herself a kiss.

GothicGremlin · September 22

I never saw my sister talk to a mirror or a TV, but she would often talk to people in photos. The weirdest thing I saw was when she'd talk to a photo of me, even though I was sitting right next to her. Then she'd turn and talk to the me who was sitting right there in front of her. That started right around stage 6 and lasted until she got to stage 7. It was kind of freaky, but I just rolled with it so as not to upset her.

blacksparky · September 22

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/282891#Comment_282891

OMG 😂😂😂😂😂

Gotta love the few times we can laugh

Timmyd · September 22

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/77175/odd-mirror-behavior

DW is stage 6 and has been talking to the mirror in her bathroom for some time now. The conversation is pleasant but does not make much sense (to me). I let her do her thing. Sometimes I wonder if the mirror is a distraction and the cause of some urinary incontinence accidents. Sometimes she gets to the bathroom, starts talking to the mirror and then has the accident without ever sitting on the toilet.

fesk · September 23

Sometimes a mirror in the bathroom can contribute to issues with resistance to showering, etc. They think there are other people or strangers in the bathroom and become uncooperative. Always worth covering the mirror when those issues arise to see if it helps.

persevere · September 23

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/282917#Comment_282917

good observation

dcare45 · September 23

Thanks everyone for the comments. Looks like it is nothing to be concerned with. I'll just let her have at it.

And thanks for the laugh @persevere.

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