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Does The Temperament Your Loved One Has Before Alzheimer’s Stay The Same During Alzheimer’s Or Changes?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Buena Vista, GA

Husband has a narcissistic and selfish personality and has been know to be called a “hot head” and very argumentative. Just hoping he will change from that.

August 13, 2021
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A myALZteam Member

My wife Linda was always true to her MBTI Personality (ESFP) Happy, Doesn't know a stranger, everyone is welcome, Fun loving, Adventurous, gentle, kind, until Dementia or Alzs. Now there are flashes of her old self but that's all. Paranoia dominates her now. Does not want to go out. Doesn't trust anyone. Capable of being down right nasty (not a lot) As long as I love her and reassure her and she is feeling secure a lot of her sweet personality comes to the surface. I don't think there is a particular pattern of behavior anyone with Alzs. fits into. There seem to be too many variations and like someone else said, I think it has to do with which parts of the brain are affected.

August 14, 2021
A myALZteam Member

Kathryn, personality traits are governed by the frontal lobe of the brain. Damage there may show up as a change in personality. As with most things dementia there are massive variations in individual experience that make generalising difficult. Although Jackie was eventually stripped of every ability necessary to live, I choose to believe that her essential spirit was evident throughout her illness right to the end. My hope for you would be that the behaviours you describe in your husband were developed to protect some insecurity, and may fade as his ability to construct and maintain such shields declines. Best wishes, S.

August 13, 2021
A myALZteam Member

It's healing go ahead. I've cried a river

August 18, 2021
A myALZteam Member

I do agree with Steve, it is all so individual. My husband's father who had Alzheimer's was a very stoic man. With the Alzheimer's he became the exact opposite. He wanted to talk to everyone he saw. When we would take him to breakfast he would stop at the tables, especially those with babies. We would have to pull him away. He told everyone he loved them. Something he never said prior to. His mother, however, became quite the handful to take care of. Her personality and language were quite different from what it was before.
My husband, thankfully, is the same sweet wonderful man he has always been. I feel very fortunate for that. This disease is so filled with mystery and why there are so many differences is hard to understand.

August 16, 2021
A myALZteam Member

Hi Leeann, sometimes, change in environment takes its toll on people with dementia. They become confused and irritated.

August 15, 2021

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