Can Alzheimer's cause a person to become paranoid?

I suppose that post-traumatic stress disorder could be a factor here. Are you aware of traumas in your husband's history?

In his very interesting book, "Sleep", sleep specialist Dr. Carlos H. Schenck explains the differences between PTSD, night terrors, and nightmares. He states that sleep terrors "are not usually related to psychiatric conditions," and that "nightmares are more closely linked to psychological trauma."

If you are interested in learning more about these conditions, I think you will find Schenck's book highly readable and not too technical for a non-medical audience. If your husband's night activity is a major concern, I suggest that you take him to sleep clinic.

Good luck!

Yes! My fiance's step dad locks his bed room door because he is convinced we will steal from him.

My husband seems to be having nightmares. Lately he sleeps in the day and screams all night. I check on him and sometimes he is sleeping. Are the screams from something in his past life or from facilities in which he was abused? He did not do it until more recently.

Yes! paranoia and accusations are extremely common. A good read is "36-hr day" Johns Hopkins univ. It has excellent insights and I found many references to my moms behavior in nearly every chapter. It is part of the disease and not rational but very real for the person experiencing it. We must use a lot of patience and reassurance and although it passes for the moment, you may experience it over and over again. My mom gets in a loop over something I've "stolen" or "misdeed" I've done and there is no reasoning with her. I try to just redirect her or listen without agreeing or disagreeing (admittedly, I'm not always 100 percent and sometimes argue cause I'm at my wits end) and it passes.

I no longer take personally, have a good laugh and brace myself for the next funny episode.

a dementia patient imo , is likely to show exxagerated symptoms of whatever type of personality previously existed in their lives. a defeatist might do a lot of hand wringing, a dictator will further dictate, a paranoiac will see more black helicopters than ever before. its just a manifestation of the human spirit without filters.
nothing to see here moderators, better luck next post.. ( plicks )
" a person who doesnt tip in a chinese resteraunt "

Thank you jeannegibbs!!

Sharon I was just venting!! I am very patient with my Mom and have been caring for her over 12 years...

As my Dad would say " someone has their boxing gloves on"!!

This job requires humor and patience which I have been blessed with.

"Good day, I said Good day"..

sharonholmes, welcome to the AgingCare forums. This is a place where we ask and answer questions, discuss topics of mutual interest, and also come to vent.

When I am in the shower and my mother screams in a panicked voice "Where are you??" I am very patient and reassuring with her. I write my whereabouts on a little whiteboard for her, but I don't get angry when she forgets to look at it.

BUT ... that doesn't mean I'm not gritting my teeth and going grrrrrr behind the shower curtain! Sometimes what we post here is a glimpse behind the shower curtain, and not necessarily how we interact with out loved ones.

Just so you know ...

to assandache7: your response reflects serious burnout at best. Anyone carrying the burden of Alzheimer's suffers confusion and often resulting fear and/or anxiety. You need some down time so that your mother's responses to her fears do not trigger your anger, frustration or impatience. Of course you will have to explain AGAIN because of the nature of your mother's disorder, not because she is ignorant or stubborn or trying your patience intentionally. Please, for your sake and your mother's sake, call your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for support and help,

Yes. Paranoia is often a part of dementia.

Yes it does.. I deal with it everyday. Ugh!!

Just this morning I was in the shower and Mom was looking for me and I wanted to scream.. She knew where I was. She was watching the weather and they said it was slippery outside so she was afraid I went out and might crash my car.. She told me she saw my purse and looked through it to see if my wallet was in it because I might have just taken my wallet and left.. I have never done that or left the house without telling her. Things like this happen daily!! It bugs the crap out of me.. When I explain AGAIN that I would never leave without telling her, she some how turns it around that it's my fault...Grrrrrr!!!!