Alzheimer’s is a condition that changes how you think and react. The loss of a spouse is a huge mental drain that changes your entire outlook on life. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, this causes complications that can affect the progression of the disease. Everyone deals with pain differently, but understanding the source is important to get through the worst parts of it.
Understanding The Range Of Emotions
The most challenging part of dealing with Alzheimer’s is the associated fear of getting worse. An overwhelming sense of dread interferes with normal day to day activities. With a partner, there is someone there that will work as a comfort zone for the sufferer. When that person passes, it is like losing the most stable part of your life. Alzheimer’s and instability are a bad mix, and can quickly accelerate the worst symptoms of the condition.
Memory Loss, But Not Emotional Loss
As Alzheimer’s progresses, memory loss becomes a big part of the overall symptoms. Losing memories of your life partner is troublesome, but can quickly be mitigated by having them there to snap you back to reality. Without that crutch, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s memory loss will find it more difficult to ground themselves in a coherent reality. The emotional trauma of losing that person is still effective, even when memory loss is at its worst.
Stress
The impact of a life lost causes immediate stress on the body and mind. A patient going through the early stages of Alzheimer’s already faces a difficult future. Stress enhances the worst symptoms while nullifying many of the positive exercises recommended for the condition. Too much stress leads to overeating, anxiety attacks, and enhanced paranoia. All of these things are bad for Alzheimer’s, and can quickly accelerate to an uncontrollable state.
How To Deal With The Grieving Process
The grieving process is an important step to getting over the loss of a spouse. Family members and close friends should put a lot of effort into ensuring this is done correctly. An Alzheimer’s sufferer that isn’t allowed to grieve the loss of their spouse will exhibit unpredictable behavior. Even in situations where heavy memory loss has already happened, the grieving process ties up a lot of loose ends.
Every Individual Is Unique
Treatment options for Alzheimer’s will always be different based on the individual. The reaction from one patient will be completely different from another. During the onset of the condition, your reactions to emotional loss will shape the strength of future symptoms. Following the recommendations of professionals will always be helpful in dealing with lasting issues. But the true test is knowing the limitations of an Alzheimer’s sufferer, and whether their symptoms are skyrocketing due to loss.
Wrap Up
Changes are inevitable in a person’s emotions when their spouse passes away. For Alzheimer’s sufferers, it is an entirely different experience. Take care of the problem head on to minimize the ` mental damage caused by their loss.
