Symptoms of dementia?

Some people are really miserable patients. When my mom was rehabbing her knee likes and dislikes changed around with her mood. She refused to do the exercises saying the therapist was making her work too hard. She preferred some other therapist from the past who let her take it easy. I don't know why they are called "patients", we should have two categories, "patients" and "impatients".

Not saying she doesn't need a psych consult, its possible it could be more than an impatient being fussy.

Maybe they were very attentive at the rehab place? Some people do love attention.

LOL! I just left a message for her Primary Physician, strongly requesting a referral to a psychiatrist. Barring that, I will demand that she be seen by a psychiatrist.

We have a history of psychiatric disorders in my family. My mother fits the criteria for Histrionic PD, Avoidant PD & Dependent PD. She may also have a mild form of bi-polar so the doctor would need to prescribe a mood stabiliser before an antidepressant can be used. I learned this the hard way. I was diagnosed with severe depression about 15 years ago, was prescribed an antidepressant and went into full manic mode, which almost got me killed. Yippee.

If things don't improve, get her on that great new "heart" pill, Zoloft! She sounds very depressed. Could she be in pain? That can cause depressed feelings. See if she's more cheerful after taking a Tylenol, if that's ok for her health.

Best wishes.

Thank you Carol, I agree about the change in environment. She's receiving PT & OT from a health care service, but refuses to do the exercises between their visits.

I know that she is depressed which can exasperate dementia. Often it seems that she is deliberately avoiding anything that could possibly make her feel better, as though she is emotionally attached to feeling bad.

This sounds more to me like the changes in environment have her a bit off her game. It's different, too, to have an adult child provide the OT & PT exercises (which I'm assuming from your note is what is happening) than it is to have a professional come in and say "now we're doing this."

You're likely to have family dynamics going on here that can make it all more difficult than it was in rehab. Try to be patient. If she goes downhill in any way, make sure she sees a doctor. Depression is a real threat and of course, different types of dementia are a possibility.

Take care,
Carol