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Can A Person With Anxiety Take Care Of An Alzheimer's Patient?
Question: My mother in law,who lives in Michigan has Alzheimer's. She's at home with a caregiver, but getting more and more difficult due to her violent behavior at times. However, we visited homes specialized on memory issues and we realized she isn't still "there." My husband wants to move her to NYC, where we live, to our home, which I think it would be a disaster and a marriage breaker! She has even hit me when I tried to help her go up the stairs. Do you think this move would be very confusing for her? Do you agree that she shouldn't be living with us? She has always been the most difficult person one can imagine! I suffer from anxiety, since my husband suffers from narcisissm disorder. That would be too much for me! I also became an Empty Nesters this year and I need some time to breath and work on my new reality.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry this situation with your mother is so difficult. Here are my thoughts.
People with Alzheimer's who have problems with agitation can be indeed very difficult to manage. Ultimately it is up to each family to decide if the patient needs to be in a nursing home or if they can live with family, but you should not feel guilty if ultimately your decision is to place your mother-in-law in a nursing home or have 24hr care for her at her own home. There is nothing wrong with this decision. If you feel it would be too much to manage in your home, better to leave it to professionals.
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your panic attacks are likely a reaction to the higher dose of mirtazapine. This paradoxical anxiety reaction can sometimes occur when the antidepressant dose is increased. I would cross-titrate from mirtazapine to a different antidepressant such as escitalopram. This would solve the problem and avoid having to use clonazepam.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry this situation with your mother is so difficult. Here are my thoughts.
People with Alzheimer's who have problems with agitation can be indeed very difficult to manage. Ultimately it is up to each family to decide if the patient needs to be in a nursing home or if they can live with family, but you should not feel guilty if ultimately your decision is to place your mother-in-law in a nursing home or have 24hr care for her at her own home. There is nothing wrong with this decision. If you feel it would be too much to manage in your home, better to leave it to professionals.
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your panic attacks are likely a reaction to the higher dose of mirtazapine. This paradoxical anxiety reaction can sometimes occur when the antidepressant dose is increased. I would cross-titrate from mirtazapine to a different antidepressant such as escitalopram. This would solve the problem and avoid having to use clonazepam.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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