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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Losing The Ability To Sign One's Name A Sign Of Depression?

I am terrified right now. My husband is in a very depressed state. Also suffering from memory loss, but not excessive from I can see. We have been consulting several doctors, has been to one neurologist and has had an MRI. No signs of tumors or stroke, just regular signs of aging, mild atrophy, mild bright spots. Also suffering from depression. Have been to doctor for depression as he has had many tearful episodes. Recently he has lost the ability to sign his own name. He was taking Lipitor but has been off it since Sept 11, 2013 and had the shingles in January of 2012. This all started to happen after the shingles episode. Some days I think it is getting better and then other things crop up. Recently he has had days where he is unable to sign his own name. I am so nervous and agitated and feeling very defeated right now. Have another appointment with another neurologist soon and I'm scared to death. Is losing the ability to sign one's name a sign of depression? Please help.
posted on Fri, 28 Feb 2014
Twitter Fri, 28 Feb 2014 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 1 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
It may not be a sign of depression but from what you are stating its possible that your husband may be having symptoms of dementia. The person with dementia may gradually loose the ability to sign or write his name causes of apraxia. Some mild stroked which do not show up in the initial CT scans may also lead to apraxia. A distant possibility is that of parkinsons disease.
He will certainly require a thorough evaluation by a neurologist. For dementia the drugs effective are donepezil and memantinand for parkinsons syndopa and pramipexole is a good drug.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
                                        
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
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Is Losing The Ability To Sign One's Name A Sign Of Depression?

Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. It may not be a sign of depression but from what you are stating its possible that your husband may be having symptoms of dementia. The person with dementia may gradually loose the ability to sign or write his name causes of apraxia. Some mild stroked which do not show up in the initial CT scans may also lead to apraxia. A distant possibility is that of parkinsons disease. He will certainly require a thorough evaluation by a neurologist. For dementia the drugs effective are donepezil and memantinand for parkinsons syndopa and pramipexole is a good drug. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.