Why is my mother afraid to go to sleep?

Question

Over the past year, my Mom has been experiencing symptoms of state two dementia. One of the oddest symptoms I've noticed is a kind of generalized anxiety that takes place at night, when it's time for her to go to sleep. She'll announce around 9 p.m., "I'm going to bed," and then she does everything BUT go to bed! She does dishes I've already done, feeds the cats I've already fed, fidgets with papers she's already looked at, mutters to herself, shuffles around the kitchen, brushes her teeth...does everything except go to bed. Is this normal behavior for someone with stage two dementia? She seems fine...until it's bed time. Then she becomes a nervous Nelly. Why? At first, she was anxious about sleeping in the bed she'd shared with Dad after he died. But that was two years ago, and she has a completely new bed now, and once she's asleep, she sleeps like a stone!

Answer 1

Maybe she's having bad dreams. This could account for her behaviour, even if she doesn't consciously remember the dreams when she wakes. You could try broaching the subject by saying something like "I had the oddest dream last night! I dreamed I was on a bus sitting next to . . . . ." etc.

Alternatively she may just be aware of her own mortality and be afraid that she won't wake up.

Answer 2

First Sorry for all what you've been going through, I cant imagine how painfull it is to watch your mom suffer like that. Most likely, she might be suffering from sleep depression. This is actualy a psychological deffect, its cause varies widely in different people, in your mom's case:maybe she gets nightmares or dreams that make her not to want to sleep. She shud use antidepressants but after going to a psychaiatrist first. Maybe she just needs councelling otherwise go for the antidepressants but be very carefull with the prescription, she shud take the right dosage at the right time. U shud also be carefull and aware of the sidefects, some antidepressants have bin heard of causing suicide attempts, confussion, & other weird stuff especially if she'll be using other medication

Answer 3

Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline

The patient has no complaints of memory loss. No memory deficits are evident.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline

The patient is beginning to notice some memory problems, but continues to function at home and at work. There are still no measurable symptoms. Memory complaints usually involve "losing" familiar objects such as keys, glasses, pens, and forgetting familiar names.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline

Memory deficits are now becoming obvious to friends, co-workers and family. Problems with word and name-finding may be evident. The patient may have become lost. The patient has difficulty remembering information recently read or heard. The patient may be withdrawing or becoming anxious in social situations and may be having noticeable difficulty at work. Coping strategies such as list-making may begin. At this stage clinical testing will reveal deficits.

Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline

Family members and intimates will identify that there are memory deficits. The patient will be noticeably less able to concentrate. Recollection of personal history may be impaired. Current and recent events are not remembered reliably. The patient often withdraws from challenges, becoming defensive and denying any disability.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline (Early Dementia)

The patient cannot reliably recall significant facts pertaining to his own life, such as telephone numbers, addresses, some family members' names. There may be some disorientation about time or place. Eating and toileting are usually still accomplished independently, but complex tasks such as choosing clothing or bathing require assistance. Preparing meals becomes problematic. The patient can no longer live without some assistance.

Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline (Middle Dementia)

The patient may not remember the spouse's name and recent events are forgotten. Assistance is required with many activities of daily living, and incontinence may begin. Often the "rhythm" of daily life becomes disturbed, resulting in insomnia and night wandering. The patient may begin misreading items in the environment such as reflections in mirrors. Obsessive and repetitive behavior may occur. Anxiety and agitation are common. The patient can no longer carry through with activities. Close supervision becomes necessary.

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline (Late Dementia)

Verbal abilities disappear, and the patient requires full assistance with toileting and eating. The ability to walk disappears. The patient becomes chair confined, and eventually bed-bound. The body appears to be "forgetting" how to function.

Remember that these stages are just very general descriptions. Everyone will progress differently. Your grandmother may move back and forth between stages. Depending on the day, and even the hour, she may appear to be better or worse. These are just general guidelines to help you anticipate what may come next


Hope this helps!!!!1

Answer 4

I think that's the whole point - that dementia ISN'T normal. I don't know if she's afraid to sleep, or if she just can't wind down enough to sleep. This is really a question for her doctor; perhaps you can go along and talk with him/her the next time she goes.

Answer 5

Most important thing is to ask her (I know this sounds obvious but assuming that you haven´t - maybe you are afraid of asking or she was not comfortable enough to tell you). Talk to her, spend some time with her - as it seems that despite the dementia she is well cognitively and is probably conscious about what are her fears.

Answer 6

When people get old, they have lots of wierd problems. My husband refuses to sleep in our bed. He says the only way he can sleep is on the couch and he doesn't lay down, he sits up. I don't even know what my husband has because he won't go to the doctor's. Be happy, at least you know what she has.

Answer 7

It is common, my grandmother has done the same thing for the past two or three years. It is called sundowners. It only occours at night for some reason, it is really odd.

Here is a link about sundowners

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sundowners-syndrome.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Alzheimers-and-Sundowners&id=328886

Most of these refer to it in conjunction with alzhiemers but my grandmother has never been diagnosed with alzhiemers.

Answer 8

ok?