For the past year, Mom’s been exhibiting signs of dementia. I was extremely concerned. I pushed and pushed for my father to take her to a doctor. After months of pushing and offering my help, he took her. She has since seen two neurologists, done several brain scans, had blood drawn, and taken the MOCA test. Both neurologist have recommended a psychologist. She has “good” days where she’s perfectly normal, but most days she repeats herself and (I feel pretends) to forget grandchild's name, won’t cook, won’t clean, and does mannerisms someone would expect of an Alzheimer’s person.
My gut tells me she’s faking. It’s so incredibly infuriating. Are the neurologists saying, without actually saying, that she’s faking it? Am I crazy? Should I treat this as an actual disease in case something is really wrong?
Ps. She’s always exhibited “needy” tendencies and issues with control. This only exacerbates my suspicions.
Fronto-temporal Lobe Dementia? It seems to strike younger people but probably very hard to diagnise early on.
If the Neurologist cannot find anything physical I suppose the Psychiatrist is next - to look at mental health.
Won't cook or clean could be depression? Or Adjustment Disorder? (Adjusting to being an empty nester). Dependant Personality traits or even disorder?
It may take a while for a correct diagnosis but it does sound like something is not right. Trust your instincts.
What??? That is no diagnosis, that is a brush off. Somebody needs to ask - what does that mean? If they feel she is faking then they need to say that too, no hedging! Why a psychologist? If mental illness was suspected then surely a psychiatrist would be more appropriate?
If she's failing cognitive tests then there is a reason for it and it needs to be addressed for her sake as well as yours, then a plan needs to be made that doesn't include you becoming her caregiver for the foreseeable future.
I discovered, after my mom stopped driving and I started taking her to doc appointments that my notes on what the doc had said were not what my mom "heard".
My oldest brother (now deceased) was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident. He should have died. I was the only relative present at the hospital immediately following the accident. His death was unrelated to the accident.
I knew how serious the injuries were because the doctor told me everything in detail, including that he nearly died during surgery. He also told me how the accident would effect his future health.
In spite of many obstacles in my brother’s life, he was tough but he still had many complications from the accident. My younger brother always accused him of faking his issues. I told my younger brother that he was fortunate to have a few good days and that it may appear that he is faking but that I absolutely knew that he wasn’t because I spoke directly to his doctor.
I took care of him after the accident. His bike was totaled so he needed transportation to and from his doctors.
He asked me to accompany him during his doctor visits while being examined because he was afraid of forgetting something the doctor had said and I could speak to him about the visit afterwards.
I think if you joined your mom for doctor appointments and testing it could be helpful to both of you. If your mom allows you to join her and have medical access then you get to hear the facts straight from the doctor.
How is your mom’s walking? Is she in continent? I had a similar experience with my mother, her doctors were telling me she was fine. Two neurologists and a psychologist. My mom ended up having normal pressure hydrocephalus. I took her to Yale and they figured it out after 2 years Passed. They had just diagnosed her with dementia up until that diagnosis. The good day, bad day is definitely an occurrence with someone with dementia. If I were you, I would find a reputable neurologist (memory specialist) and try to have her see someone regularly so they might be able to see some trends. Good luck with your journey and I hope you get some answers.
Oh, and by the way, she can be extremely manipulative when she wants to be. Told my DH that she threw tantrums when she wanted to get her way as a child...has done the same as an adult, but in more subtle ways when she wants attention.
I'm 59, and my mom is 78. My mother is incredibly intelligent and has been diagnosed with major depression since the 1960's. I've spent a lifetime trying to figure out how much of her behavior is organic/physical versus just plain sociopathic/diabolical.
Don't waste any more years trying to figure her out. It's a no-win situation, since there's obviously something wrong with any person who would fake such symptoms. Munchhausen Disorder comes to mind; narcissistic personality disorder; borderline personality disorder, and just plain self-centeredness.
It's possible our mothers have a little sprinkling of all of the above, including memory loss. And yes, when a person with these mental issues actually has a little age-appropriate memory loss, they might exaggerate and use it to their advantage to get attention. In my case, I think mom has a little memory loss, and true to form, is milking it for all it's worth. I sense yours might be the same.
I am a big fan of Nancy Levin's book Setting Boundaries will Set You Free, and, although it may be unpopular to post on this forum, the book Divorcing a Parent by Beverly Engel. The second book doesn't mean you actually have to end your relationship with a parent, but the emotional gaslighting can be permanently stopped.
In my case, the quest to find out whether she was faking or not was exhausting and there was no relief at the end of that road. It sounds like you are doing right by her, that she has been tested and checked out. Please make sure to take care of yourself, even if your decision is unpopular with others. Nobody has walked a mile in your shoes on this one. All of our situations with our parents are unique. I support you 100% and say ALWAYS trust your intuition.
I agree with everyone that she should have a complete work up.
Good luck and stay strong.
Dr. Gross
I have had many families sure the family member is faking or trying to fool them. In almost every case, this was not true even when the affected person had always been "needy." Personality traits can get more severe in early dementia, however.
A complete eval will address your questions and provide recommendations. We can reassess over time to determine whether there is decline and whether it fits a specific disorder pattern. Contact the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) to find a board-certified specialist in your area.
Dr. Gross
Of course none of us on this site have any ability to guess things with your mother. My suggestion would be to keep her safe, but try not to get a very exhausting run around. Eventually things will become more clear. In worse circumstances, I was still glad to know that my father was being cared for, even if he didn’t deserve it. That was enough.
That, or a heavy metal build-up, like aluminum or lead.
Something is really wrong.
Either a) she is not faking, there is something seriously wrong.
Or b) she is faking, a person's choosing to imitate symptoms of advanced Alzheimer's Disease is quite an extreme way of acting out, and you would conclude that there is something seriously wrong.
What's your father's view? What sort of way forward is he hoping for?
How would you describe the impact your mother's behaviour is having on her and his life?
And what does your mother say about her own condition? If she believes she has Alzheimer's Disease, for example, how does she feel about that?
Definitely, definitely not a first recourse here.