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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For A Bedridden Patient, Who Has No Interest In Life

my uncle is bedridden or actualy he chooses to lie in bed in the nursing home doesnt participate in any activity does not read watch tv nor listen to radio etc he has become abusive to caregivers and spits at them he has been like this for months and he is 81 already went from 150lbs to around 120 now he doesnt want to live he is miserable and its not very enjoying to visit him to say the least please any sggestions Dr
Mon, 30 Jan 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

I understand your concern.
It seems your uncle is severely depressed, which is not very uncommon in this age group, especially in elderly patients with long chronic illnesses. After a complete and thorough check up, in order to exclude any contributing factors that would also explain his mood changes, I suggest you get him to see a therapist who will verify or confirm the diagnosis and get him on an anti depressant.
Getting him to engage in conversations where he can express what he feels, and the reason of his frustration can also help to revive his interest in his surroundings.
I wish him good health and all the best.
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Suggest Treatment For A Bedridden Patient, Who Has No Interest In Life

Hello, I understand your concern. It seems your uncle is severely depressed, which is not very uncommon in this age group, especially in elderly patients with long chronic illnesses. After a complete and thorough check up, in order to exclude any contributing factors that would also explain his mood changes, I suggest you get him to see a therapist who will verify or confirm the diagnosis and get him on an anti depressant. Getting him to engage in conversations where he can express what he feels, and the reason of his frustration can also help to revive his interest in his surroundings. I wish him good health and all the best.