My 81 yr old mother seems to think that demons are attacking her. She is on medications for sleep and anxiety. I tried working with her doctor and psychiatrist and cannot seem to get a resolution. She had a brain scan, and passed the dementia test. Last night she showed me bruises that she has on her legs. Keep in mind that she tapes her legs and the socks on her feet. She piles her bed with everything so that the “demon” cannot get to her. She slept in the spare bedroom upstairs last night and just told me it was in that room. I am not equipped to handle this as it has been going on for months. Any suggestions?
So, maybe your mother is thinking that demons are attacking her due to combining sleeping pills with anti-anxiety medication. I would think her psychiatrist should have an idea about that and want to take her off of all meds to see if she has an improvement. It shocks me that doctors wouldn't try such a thing as their FIRST course of treatment in such an extreme situation!
If the medications aren't at the root of this matter, then it sounds like she needs psychiatric evaluation at the hospital. The situation is not tolerable for you OR for her, especially since it's been going on for months. I'm so sorry you're all going through such a terrible ordeal.
I hope you can find answers SOON! Best of luck
It is time to return with your diary of what is happening. Is it happening only at night? It is sounding like some Lewy's bodies symptoms. Does she have trouble with an unsteady gait or ever have trouble swallowing? Does she live with you?
My brother's Lewy's hallucinations always hit at night, with exception of some few brought on by the day with marble walls, busy carpets, or other highly patterned things. He said the day ones transformed people into "deamonic looking". At night he could see whole visions of immigrant woman and baby, of a pool party outside the window, etc. He was diagnosed by symptoms according to diaries and descriptions of these "visions". They were worse with any anxiety.
Assisted living made them almost a thing of the past.
I think you are either dealing with mental illness (is there a history) or of undiagnosed dementia. In either case it may be time to consider placement. I am so sorry you are going through all this, and wish you and Mom good luck.
I saw this. Had to respond. What is she using for sleep-aid??
Ambien causes hallucinations, bad dreams, causes ppl to walk in their sleep & an entire host of
Very scary things.
Happened to me...pls look at medications closely
Thx
When I worked for a Swami on an ashram he was also in his 80s and in hospice he also saw demons and they told him he wasn’t seeing them which put him in distress. When we are closer to the other side maybe we can see things others can’t, in both cases both were highly spiritual and on no medication.
In truth we don’t know what they can see, I wanted to tell the Swami my grandmother saw them too in case that gave him peace but I didn’t want to go against the ashram.
Maybe there is comfort in validation, put a bible out or say the Lord’s Prayer. Give them something to work with like we do when our kids see monsters in the night.
So many comments on this thread explaining how their loved one started having hallucinations when starting on various medications.
The pharmaceutical companies have a lot to answer for
my husband, also 81, is in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease and about a year ago started having hallucinations - thankfully not as frightening, but disturbing. We’ve been on the carousel of meds for a while, but a sleep med and anti anxiety med have been a constant. I have found that when his neurologist adds a new medication or adjusts dosage on other meds (especially MAO inhibitors) there is a period of adjustment and his hallucinations and freezing episodes increase. I’ve learned not to pick up a 90day supply of any new medication (I love doctors that want to “try” a $400 med). I get 2 or 3 weeks. If there’s improvements great, but sometimes there is significant decline and we take him off, or cut dosage.
when the hallucinations come, I sit with him and we talk through it, maybe determine why he is seeing what he sees.
we have the new challenge of Sundowning. I don’t know what it’s like to get a good nights sleep anymore.
You can google "medical studies on the efficacy of lecithin in ameliorating symptoms of Parkinson's " (sorry for the big words) Also fresh sage tea. 3 times as much fresh herb as dry. So 3 teaspoons to 1 cup or 2 ozs herb to 1 pint of water...These simple foods the Creator gave us will ease your husbands suffering. I hope this is of some help to you