"Doctor, my husband has recently deteriorated in memory and concentration, and even lost his ability to take care of himself. My son and I can't take care of him. We have already arranged for him to be admitted to a nursing home. Does my husband suffer from dementia? Does he need medication? Today, Mrs. He accompanied Mr. He to the psychiatric clinic. She anxiously told the doctor about her concerns.
Written by: Dr. Lin Tianqi, School of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital
It turns out that Mr. He and Mrs. He have been married for many years and have been deeply affectionate.
But since Mr. Ho retired early, Mrs. Ho has noticed that he is depressed and unhappy and listless at home all day long.
Mr. He usually likes to visit the mountains and the water, but after retirement, he is not willing to pay much attention to the invitation of the mountain friends.
At first, Mrs. He thought that her husband just didn't adapt to the leisurely life after retirement, and that she and her children were busy with work, so she didn't care too much, and she didn't expect to bring him to seek medical treatment.
But half a year later, Mrs. Ho found that her husband was lying in bed all day long, and could not even take care of basic self-care such as brushing teeth and bathing by herself. With the encouragement of the social workers, "He Qixingan" accompanied her husband to see a psychiatrist.
When the couple came to the outpatient clinic, the doctor noticed that Mrs. He was mainly responsible for answering questions during the consultation. Mr. He had been frowning and looked at the floor with "fixed eyes".
Even if the doctor took the initiative to ask Mr. He's question, he only answered softly, and the answer started with two sentences and three sentences, sometimes even by nodding and shaking his head.
After careful questioning, it turned out that Mr. Ho's mood deteriorated after retirement, and he felt that he was useless, and even thought of committing suicide because he felt that there was no hope in the future.
The continued depression also made him lose motivation and energy, and he couldn't afford to take care of his appearance, let alone participate in the hiking activities he liked in the past.
What other people said to him, he couldn't concentrate at all to listen, and his wife mistakenly thought that his memory was bad.
After seeing the doctor, he arranged blood draws, computer scans, and cognitive assessments for him. He was diagnosed with depression and he was required to take antidepressants.
With the help of drugs, Mr. He's mood has improved, he has more motivation and energy, and gradually regained his ability to take care of himself.
Seeing that Mr. Ho's condition improved, the doctor referred him to the community center to participate in activities and interest classes organized by social workers and occupational therapists in response to his leisure time after retirement, so that he could regain his regular daily life.
With the cooperation and hard work of the employees of the nursing home and his wife, Mr. He's self-care ability, concentration and memory have returned to the original level, and his wife is also relieved to let him go home and live with him.
Five years later, Mr. He and his wife still came to the psychiatric clinic hand in hand, and his wife would also laugh with the doctor and say that her husband's memory is better than hers now!
Elderly people have the chance to suffer from dementia. I believe everyone has heard of it. This is no stranger to this.
However, before making a diagnosis of dementia, doctors must rule out other reversible or possible causes of similar symptoms.
In addition to physical problems (such as brain tumors, thyroid secretion imbalance, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, etc.) can be detected early through blood tests and computer scans, emotional problems-depression is also one of the patients with pseudocognitive impairment Disease (Pseudodementia).
Most of the above reversible causes can be improved after receiving appropriate treatment, and even return to the mental state before the onset.
If readers find signs of dementia in their relatives and friends, or notice that they are depressed or even affect their lives, they can be encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible for corresponding examinations and treatments.
"Hong Kong 01" "01 Medical Clinic" cooperated with the School of Mental Health of Castle Peak Hospital to publish a column written by medical staff every Tuesday.
"Climbing" means leaving the water still, allowing the water to settle and then become clear.
May you calmly savour each little story, see the small knowledge, understand the inner heart of yourself and others, and see things and emotions more clearly.
See clearly, know how to cherish, I hope this column can soothe your emotional waves, and enjoy the quiet and good years.
I hope you can share this experience with the people you care about, so that you can have one more partner on the road to a better life.
The details of the story have been modified to protect patient privacy.
Under the epidemic, novice mothers are prone to postpartum depression. Taking care of newborn babies. Insufficient rest and easy accidents Overcome experience and win teaching excellence award
