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Suggest Remedy For Sudden Outburst Of Anger, Depression And Memory Loss In An Elderly Person
Question: My dad is having old age issues. He is retired from a good post (headmaster) and is now mostly at home. Limited social activities. I would not say zero but he does get involved in community activities on a weekly basis. Also talks to friends and relatives. He has a drinking problem which he does not acknowledge. He gets angry and irritated many times easily. Slight memory loss. If he gets irritated he will start cursing. He wont come to a doctor. A diabetic but mostly his health test are within the normal range for his age. Sometimes he may not talk sense. During his outbursts he will say that we all are trying to conspire against him etc.etc. My mother is old too, she gets affected by this behaviors which almost happens daily. I have restricted his drinking habits by being present with him most of the time and working from home. I go along with him everywhere so that he does not end up buying any drinks. I don't think its entirely drinking that's the problem, I feel he may be slightly depressed. Again 80-90% of his talks are normal but there will be something in there which will XXXXXXX u or shock u. He has had 2 episodes of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) where he showed related symptoms.
Brief Answer:
Depression or Dementia are possibilities for these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals in sixties see changes in their life like change in attitude, retirement from occupation, declining body functions etc. He is 68 years old and is showing symptoms like anger outbursts, irritation, memory loss, suspiciousness and accusing others etc. Such type of symptoms could be occurring due to early stage of dementia or depression. For proper diagnosis he should be shown to a psychiatrist.
MMSE or XXXXXXX mental status examination can help to rule out dementia. If MMSE comes normal then depression is other possibility. After retirement a lot of individuals develop depressive symptoms.
In most individuals low dose antidepressants like SSRIs as Sertraline can help to reduce the symptoms. With proper medicines his symptoms will reduce. Low dose antipsychotics as Risperidone, Olanzapine etc can help to improve symptoms related to suspiciousness. So please don't remain worried, his symptoms will reduce with proper treatment.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Depression or Dementia are possibilities for these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals in sixties see changes in their life like change in attitude, retirement from occupation, declining body functions etc. He is 68 years old and is showing symptoms like anger outbursts, irritation, memory loss, suspiciousness and accusing others etc. Such type of symptoms could be occurring due to early stage of dementia or depression. For proper diagnosis he should be shown to a psychiatrist.
MMSE or XXXXXXX mental status examination can help to rule out dementia. If MMSE comes normal then depression is other possibility. After retirement a lot of individuals develop depressive symptoms.
In most individuals low dose antidepressants like SSRIs as Sertraline can help to reduce the symptoms. With proper medicines his symptoms will reduce. Low dose antipsychotics as Risperidone, Olanzapine etc can help to improve symptoms related to suspiciousness. So please don't remain worried, his symptoms will reduce with proper treatment.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your quick response Dr. I would liketo get some specifics from you. Also I have not got recommendations on alcohol too. How do I approach that? My dad won't go to a psychiatrist or a doctor. He is very adamant on that. That's one more reason I trying to get help from you.
1. Alcohol issues. While I am restricting my dad nowadays, the good part is he is able to manage the restrictions now. Earlier he was very irritable with me that I am around all the time but now those irritations have reduced. He is able to manage his urges some how. But the moment I go to my office(out of town) he goes back to taking alcohol. Are some of the symptoms alcohol withdrawal related? I personally doubt as I made him stay away from alcohol for a month but his dimentia or depression type symptoms remained. But when he takes alcohol, if he is provoked or irritated he will show very prominent symptoms of using accusing and abusive language. My concern with his alcohol is that he takes it without water and food. He pretty much looses control and has even fallen down multiple times. He hides the bottles in some corners of the house. Inspite of explaining through love and affection nothing has worked. How do I get him to quit alcohol? Be sure that he won't come to a doc. We have tried many times.
2. What is the frequency and dosage for the anti depressant and anti psychotics? Can I take the mmse test at home and send you the results?
I completely agree with u that it could be early stage of dimentia or depression. Cause he stays normal most part of the day? I feel he gets irritated more in the mornings. My mom responds to his accusations and that leads to daily fights. She is old too. I have asked her to ignore but she falls into his accusing and abusive talks.
1. Alcohol issues. While I am restricting my dad nowadays, the good part is he is able to manage the restrictions now. Earlier he was very irritable with me that I am around all the time but now those irritations have reduced. He is able to manage his urges some how. But the moment I go to my office(out of town) he goes back to taking alcohol. Are some of the symptoms alcohol withdrawal related? I personally doubt as I made him stay away from alcohol for a month but his dimentia or depression type symptoms remained. But when he takes alcohol, if he is provoked or irritated he will show very prominent symptoms of using accusing and abusive language. My concern with his alcohol is that he takes it without water and food. He pretty much looses control and has even fallen down multiple times. He hides the bottles in some corners of the house. Inspite of explaining through love and affection nothing has worked. How do I get him to quit alcohol? Be sure that he won't come to a doc. We have tried many times.
2. What is the frequency and dosage for the anti depressant and anti psychotics? Can I take the mmse test at home and send you the results?
I completely agree with u that it could be early stage of dimentia or depression. Cause he stays normal most part of the day? I feel he gets irritated more in the mornings. My mom responds to his accusations and that leads to daily fights. She is old too. I have asked her to ignore but she falls into his accusing and abusive talks.
Brief Answer:
Alcoholics might develop behaviour to accuse others, rationalise things etc
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
- Alcohol issues could be the cause of these symptoms but withdrawal doesn't result in such symptoms. Chronic alcoholics develop change in personality and they tend to rationalise, project things on others, become suspicious and develop ideas of jealousy. But alcohol withdrawal doesn't actually present with such symptoms. If he is not having motivation to quit then I am afraid its very difficult to make him quit alcohol. Try to motivate him to quit. Gradually reduce the dose of alcohol and this will not only help in easing the withdrawal but will also reduce his irritation. So best things is to try to motivate him and once he is motivated you can visit a doctor for alcohol de-addiction.
- Antipsychotics as Risperidone, Olanzapine etc are even available in tasteless and odourless forms. These medicines can be given to patients without their knowledge. These can be mixed with foods or water. You can visit a psychiatrist and explain the problem to him. He might prescribe these medicines. This would reduce his anger outbursts and he might become ready for treatment. MMSE test should be done by a trained doctor only but with proper learning you can take the test. You can take help of google for that.
- Yes the possibility is early stage of depression or dementia and this should be evaluated.
Thanks, Still have doubts please ask again. Take care
Alcoholics might develop behaviour to accuse others, rationalise things etc
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
- Alcohol issues could be the cause of these symptoms but withdrawal doesn't result in such symptoms. Chronic alcoholics develop change in personality and they tend to rationalise, project things on others, become suspicious and develop ideas of jealousy. But alcohol withdrawal doesn't actually present with such symptoms. If he is not having motivation to quit then I am afraid its very difficult to make him quit alcohol. Try to motivate him to quit. Gradually reduce the dose of alcohol and this will not only help in easing the withdrawal but will also reduce his irritation. So best things is to try to motivate him and once he is motivated you can visit a doctor for alcohol de-addiction.
- Antipsychotics as Risperidone, Olanzapine etc are even available in tasteless and odourless forms. These medicines can be given to patients without their knowledge. These can be mixed with foods or water. You can visit a psychiatrist and explain the problem to him. He might prescribe these medicines. This would reduce his anger outbursts and he might become ready for treatment. MMSE test should be done by a trained doctor only but with proper learning you can take the test. You can take help of google for that.
- Yes the possibility is early stage of depression or dementia and this should be evaluated.
Thanks, Still have doubts please ask again. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks Dr.
1. Are there any good alcohol de addiction medicines in India? If yes what are they and what would u recommend? As mentioned earlier my dad is not an extreme case of addiction. He is able to manage his urges when I am around. I am not restricting his movements in any manner.
2. Can u recommend a good psychiatrist in XXXXXXX ? 2 names would help with contact and address. I would like to visit, with or without my dad.
3. Can you recommend a good psychologist in Trivandrum?
1. Are there any good alcohol de addiction medicines in India? If yes what are they and what would u recommend? As mentioned earlier my dad is not an extreme case of addiction. He is able to manage his urges when I am around. I am not restricting his movements in any manner.
2. Can u recommend a good psychiatrist in XXXXXXX ? 2 names would help with contact and address. I would like to visit, with or without my dad.
3. Can you recommend a good psychologist in Trivandrum?
Brief Answer:
Yes good medicines are there.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
Yes there are many good medicines available for alcohol deaddiction. For replacement Benzodiazepines are advised. I usually prefer Lorazepam or Chlordiazepoxide to replace alcohol. Once individual becomes stabilised dose of these medicines can be tapered easily. To reduce craving Acamprosate, Naltrexone or Topiramate etc are used.
For psychiatrist in XXXXXXX you can visit Sree XXXXXXX institute. I am sorry but I have not much knowledge of good psychiatrists at XXXXXXX You can take help of search option on our site and can choose good psychiatrists for XXXXXXX
Thanks, still have doubts please ask again.
Yes good medicines are there.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up
Yes there are many good medicines available for alcohol deaddiction. For replacement Benzodiazepines are advised. I usually prefer Lorazepam or Chlordiazepoxide to replace alcohol. Once individual becomes stabilised dose of these medicines can be tapered easily. To reduce craving Acamprosate, Naltrexone or Topiramate etc are used.
For psychiatrist in XXXXXXX you can visit Sree XXXXXXX institute. I am sorry but I have not much knowledge of good psychiatrists at XXXXXXX You can take help of search option on our site and can choose good psychiatrists for XXXXXXX
Thanks, still have doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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