Can A Person With Anxiety Take Care Of An Alzheimer's Patient?
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry this situation with your mother is so difficult. Here are my thoughts.
People with Alzheimer's who have problems with agitation can be indeed very difficult to manage. Ultimately it is up to each family to decide if the patient needs to be in a nursing home or if they can live with family, but you should not feel guilty if ultimately your decision is to place your mother-in-law in a nursing home or have 24hr care for her at her own home. There is nothing wrong with this decision. If you feel it would be too much to manage in your home, better to leave it to professionals.
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your panic attacks are likely a reaction to the higher dose of mirtazapine. This paradoxical anxiety reaction can sometimes occur when the antidepressant dose is increased. I would cross-titrate from mirtazapine to a different antidepressant such as escitalopram. This would solve the problem and avoid having to use clonazepam.
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