I’m wondering who generally diagnoses Alzheimer’s in a young patient. My 58 year old husband came home from work a different person.

Question

I’m wondering who generally diagnoses Alzheimer’s in a young patient. My 58 year old husband came home from work a different person.

Follow

Share

I have taken my husband to his medical doctor for personality changes. I come home one day to find him hiding in the bushes trying to catch me cheating on him and him accusing me of having sex with all his co workers on a construction site. He said they told him they were in our house so he figured he would catch me . The doctor did all kinds of blood work and a few test they referred us to a neurologist . The neurologist also did some test and MRI which showed normal. But his behavior still has been bazar he seems okay for the most part but even if we go to a restaurant and the server says people kill for this he takes it literally or offensive. And thinks woman bending over infront of him is done purposely to entice him and get him in trouble . A set up if you will . I’m still thinking dementia but I don’t know they tested for everything including metals in his blood from contaminated job sites . All clean blood except Lyme disease but the doctor said it’s not an active infection. He said he had Lyme disease at some point .But stated he don’t need antibiotics.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Delusions Medical Care Paranoia Spouse

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

11 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

It's less common, but sometimes, schizophrenia onset can take place later in life. Experts consider late-onset schizophrenia to mean a diagnosis between the ages of 40 and 60, while a diagnosis beyond age 60 is considered very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis. People with late-onset schizophrenia are more likely to have symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. They're less likely to have negative symptoms, disorganized thoughts, impaired learning, or trouble understanding information. Doctors think genetics may be to blame, just as it is with early-onset schizophrenia. They also think late-onset might be a subtype that doesn't affect the person until the right trigger appears. People with cognitive, vision, or hearing problems or those who are suspicious, isolated, or reclusive may be more likely to get it. Source: https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-onset-symptoms Is there anyone else in his family with a history of mental health problems? The challenge with delusions and paranoia is that the simple act of trying to get a diagnosis feeds into their paranoia. If I were you I'd see an attorney (by yourself) to see how you can protect your share of your assets. Who knows what his delusions and paranoia will cause him to do to you? You should also know what your options are if/when his behavior becomes intolerable or dangerous: if he threatens you, you can call 911 and tell them he is acting strange and you are afraid of him. They will hopefully take him to the ER and "Baker Act" him (hold him in the psych wing in the hopes of getting his behavior under control with medication). He can be held there for quite a long time. He would be an "unsafe discharge" if you cannot live with him in your home. You may want to consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist for strategies. You will need to be preemptive if he's resisting diagnosis and help. Are you sure he doesn't have any other bad habits? Cocaine use can produce the symptoms you describe (been there, done that with a former business partner), and other illegal substances as well. I've known a few people who smoked a lot of weed and developed paranoid schizophrenia later in life. "There is now reasonable evidence from longitudinal studies that regular cannabis use predicts an increased risk of schizophrenia and of reporting psychotic symptoms. These relationships have persisted after controlling for confounding variables such as personal characteristics and other drug use." Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2424288/#:~:text=There%20is%20now%20reasonable%20evidence,characteristics%20and%20other%20drug%20use. Do whatever it takes to protect yourself, even having a standing agreement/arrangement with a trusted family member or friend so that you have a place to escape to if he spirals in a more dangerous way. Have a "Go" bag ready in the trunk of your car or in your closet. Make sure you protect your assets. I wish you success in finding solutions as you move through this mystery.

Helpful Answer (6)

Report

Geaton,

I agree with you here about drug use. Ex would use drugs to medicate the symptoms of schizophrenia along with abusing alcohol. The hospital would have to detox him first before starting treatment for the schizophrenia. He was a heavy Marijuana user while in high school.

The psychiatrist admitted him to the psych ward to get his condition under control. He had three hospitalizations while we were married.

I've seen it all even the extreme paranoia that eventually lead to domestic abuse. The accusations of having other men and me stealing the rent money even though I paid the rent, and paid all the bills with my own hard earned money!

(2)

Report

See 1 more reply

My second husband would come up with some strange analogies as well similar to what you've mentioned here. He nearly drove me insane with these delusional thoughts. Of course, according to him, his family was abusive to him and on and on. If he watched a movie, the movie was about him. Public displays about folks who were minding their business and going about their day was about him.
I finally contacted my Employee Assistance Program at work and got us both into therapy. He was referred to a psychiatrist by our therapist who diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. His condition was regulated for awhile until he would stop taking his medication again. Then those symptoms would come back full blast. It was so bad, we ended up separating and getting a divorce. I couldn't deal with the paranoia any longer and the fear of being attacked.

Untreated bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other organic mental illnesses causing a chemical imbalance in the brain can lead to delusional beliefs and paranoia to the extremes. I would seek out a psychiatrist since the neurologists couldn't find anything.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

Teeth, I’m so sorry you and your husband are going through this. Would it be possible to see a second neurologist? Also, maybe keeping a log of symptoms and physical and mental changes might be helpful as well to show to the professionals you speak to as you try to get some answers.

I don’t know anything about Lyme disease or how likely it could be the cause of your husband’s problems but in case you decide to look into that further this website looks reputable and has a search function to find local providers:

https://projectlyme.org/

Thinking of you.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

You should also try to get another opinion from a neurologist who specializes in neurocognitive disorders. When my late husband was placed on indefinite paid leave from his position as a college professor, he was required to get a complete physical from his PCP, and see a neurologist that they chose. That neurologist ordered an MRI and CT scan of his brain, and tentatively said my husband had early-onset Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal degeneration. But he also said, "I'm a generalist neurologist, not a subspecialist; he needs to see a specialist in neurocognitive disorders," and recommended two of them at academic medical centers in our state. One was nearby and the other over 2 hours each way. Both had long waiting lists and he had appointments about 6 months away. In the meantime, we saw hubby's PCP for the required physical. I told the PCP that hubby couldn't see either neurologist for about 6 months. The PCP offered to send the same records to both neurologists with a letter that the patient was a college professor with many years of experience and now couldn't perform in the classroom, participate in meetings, etc. He said these academic doctors might find hubby an "interesting case". Within a couple of weeks, we received calls from both doctors' office offering appointments within a week. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to have an advocate in your loved one's corner.

(3)

Report

Even after proper treatment for Lyme disease, some individuals may still experience symptoms like paranoia due to the neurological effects the disease can have on the brain, sometimes referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome" (PTLDS), where lingering symptoms like cognitive difficulties and psychiatric issues can persist; if you are experiencing paranoia after Lyme treatment, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional." Source: AI browser search result If you can't get your husband to the doctor or ER, you can consider calling 911 and telling them you think he's having neurological symptoms from Lyme's disease and they will hopefully get him in for more testing. If you or someone else is his PoA, this person needs to bring the PoA documents in with them to wherever he is getting diagnosed and treated.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

Lyme's is such a monster. It can mimic so many things. This just doesn't sound to me like any manifestation I have heard about it.
He certainly needs followup by experts here!

(1)

Report

I am afraid you are stuck now with the medical community. You have seen a neurologist and you have no real diagnosis that I can see here. I have no idea if you are dealing with early onset dementia, mental illness, lymes, or what, and it appears that the medical community doesn't either.

As a retired RN it would be pure guessing and conjecture on my part to even hazard a guess. I wouldn't try.

What does your father's doctors say about next steps at this point?

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Drugs?

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

my husband now refuses to see anyone stating there’s nothing wrong with him . Also another symptom is thinking everyone wronged him and constantly complaining about his childhood being horrible stating all his family were mean to him . He doesn’t understand why . Now I’ve been married to him for 30 years and he never complained about his family and I find he often cries a lot more than normal over everything. At any given time even while driving.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I often thought about mental health issues but he acts normal for the most part , then randomly if something breaks in the house he will say it’s someone messing with him , not that the house is old snd stuff breaks .mental health issues run in the family, but I find it hard to believe given the fact he has never had an issue in the past and he is 58 years old wouldn’t this have presented itself earlier in his life .

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

My ex husband was diagnosed around thirty four years old. He had some strange behaviors earlier on in his teen years, but was never diagnosed. He was actually diagnosed as hyperactive as a child.

Anything is possible. I have a niece that was misdiagnosed and was later discovered in her mid forties as bipolar disorder.

Oh, my ex husband could function normally at work and out in public at times as well. Even appear normal at home except during those scary flareups.

(0)

Report

I would follow up more on the Lyme Disease aspect of this as well as a visit to a psychiatrist.
As several have pointed out this could well be Schizophrenia or bi-polar mental illness.
The Lyme disease would be an infectious disease specialist or possibly a rheumatologist.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I second your thought Grandma1954 that the Lyme disease needs to be followed up on as I know that it can cause dementia type symptoms.
The OP should definitely take her husband to see a Lyme disease specialist. That would be my first step.

(1)

Report

My Ex was similar. Extreme jealousy and accusations. Suddenly a wacko out of nowhere. He was normal and my "go to" guy for 20 years, then suddenly (within the first year of Covid lockdown) became a trash hoarder and a skittish, paranoid mess.

After total medical workups for possible reasons, CT and MRIs of his brain, nothing substantial was found (other than normal aging). Even Stanford came up empty. I suspected a brain anuerism, since his sister had one that caused a stroke.

I've read plenty about dementia, certain things seem to fit, but I'm still not convinced. He's been getting his car lost in parking lots for 15 years. After he lived here 3 years, I believe deep down he is running a game 90% and is just an old, lazy and selfish senior the rest of the time. What we describe here often as a Senior Brat.

I'd also suspect drugs, but he has no access or connections. I personally think PSTD from combat in Vietnam. That alone would blow anyone's mind. My Dad (Army Colonel) said they never debriefed those returning vets at all.

I’m wondering who generally diagnoses Alzheimer’s in a young patient. My 58 year old husband came home from work a different person.

11 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions