Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Dementia And Depression

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My mother is 80 years old. Physically and mentally she is strong. She is staying alone in her house with lady tenant. She wants that the lady tenant to vacate. the tenant has been there for 4 months or so. She is a good lady and a source of help for my mother. we the children want the lady tenant to stay for my mothers security and help. For these she is telling lies and framing illicit relationship stories about the lady tenant. On trying to convince my mother , she is fabricating stories. Is it hallucination or any psychic problem ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Age related cognitive decline

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

Thanks for asking on HCM

She is staying alone and is 80 years old. At this age a lot of individuals develop abnormal behavior and suspiciousness. Such symptoms occur mostly due to age related changes in brain, due to dementia. In some elderly people, due to depression, such symptoms are seen. They develop paranoid ideas against some close person, like she has developed against her tenant.

I would advise you to take her to a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment. MMSE or XXXXXXX mental status examination is test to find out level of cognitive decline and dementia. Medicinal treatment is needed for such symptoms. Medicines like low dose antipsychotics as Risperidone can help to reduce her abnormal behavior. For her cognitive decline medicines like Donepezil, Memantine can be used. These medicines help to slow down the neuronal degeneration. Consult a Psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.

Omega 3 Fatty acids supplements and Vitamin B12 capsules can also be used in her condition. This will help in improving cognition.

So, thus is not hallucination. Such symptoms are occurring because of declining cognition and some depression. No need to worry, she will improve.

In follow up please mention details of her routine and other symptoms if any.

Thanks, hope this helps you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E