![]() They may even attempt to hide the real source of their discomfort by expressing frustration through criticism of everything and everyone around them. Ironically, they often continue complaining about aches and pains to their family members. Many elders “don’t want to complain,” so they refuse to go to the doctor. If your father or mother constantly complains or acts out, make sure they see a physician to check for painful changes in their health. To make matters worse, research has consistently shown that negative mood states can modify pain perception and interfere with the effectiveness of pain management strategies. Participants living with chronic pain also exhibited neuromotor deficits in coordination and reaction time. One study published in the journal Pain Research and Management found that chronic pain patients reported higher negative mood states, such as anger-hostility, depression-dejection, fatigue-inertia and tension-anxiety, compared to control subjects who reported no measurable pain. In addition to the physical effects, pain can be mentally and emotionally distressing as well. Chronic Pain Can Make Seniors IrritableĬhronic pain can come on suddenly or very gradually over time, and it can be detrimental to a person’s quality of life and functional abilities. Read: Polypharmacy in the Elderly: Taking Too Many Medications Can Be Risky 3. Drug interactions can also be problematic, so if your loved one takes several medications, the combination should be double checked by a physician or pharmacist for potential issues. Anti-seizure medications, statins, blood pressure medications and even anti-inflammatories can cause personality and behavioral changes in some people. Other types of medications can have negative effects on personality, too. ![]() Communicate with your loved one’s doctor about any changes in mood and behavior to ensure the new medication and dosage are still appropriate for their condition. Some of these drugs take several weeks to reach their full effect, whether it is positive or negative. ![]() If your loved one has started a new antidepressant or another type of psychiatric medication, don’t just assume things will get better. In some cases, the wrong medication can actually cause their condition to worsen. ![]() Certain types of these drugs simply may not function well with a senior’s brain chemistry. They are intended to alter a person’s brain chemistry to improve mood and behavior, but the way they work in the body is very complicated. Many prescription medications have serious side effects that include personality changes. Read: UTIs Cause Unusual Behavioral Symptoms in Elders 2. This is one of the first things that caregivers should check for if a loved one experiences sudden and unusual changes in behavior. But for many older individuals, atypical behavioral symptoms like irritability, angry outbursts and confusion are the only signs of infection. Most people are aware of the physical symptoms of UTIs, such as pain, burning and a persistent urge to urinate. Mood Swings and Behavioral Changes May Indicate UTIĪ urinary tract infection (UTI) can have a sudden and significant impact on a senior’s demeanor. Fortunately, new personality changes are often easier to address, and many can be remedied. If your mother was always sweet and timid, but now she’s implacable, or your husband was jolly and supportive throughout your marriage, but he’s become controlling and angry, it is a serious red flag. 5 Causes of New or Increasing Negativity in Older AdultsĬonversely, a negative mindset or more frequent complaining is a new occurrence for some seniors. It can be very difficult to stay upbeat around incessant criticism and pessimism. Primary caregivers for chronic complainers should take this into account when making care decisions. In fact, the physical and mental frustrations that come with aging are likely to intensify an already negative disposition. However, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to change their personality at this point. No, their constant complaining and negativity-especially when it comes to the things you go out of your way to do for them-is not acceptable. It is likely that they aren’t even aware of how their attitude affects others. If an aging loved one has always been abrasive, complaining may be the only way they know how to communicate. Some Seniors Are Prone to Chronic Complaining
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