科普 | 如何应对认知症患者的烦躁和沮丧情绪

认知症长者在遇到不顺心的事情时，有时会做出烦躁或愤怒的反应（沮丧）。这种情况可能主要发生在认知症的早期阶段。本期科普，带你走进认知症的世界，学习如何减少认知症患者的烦躁感，防止其恶化……

Dealing with Irritation and Frustration in Dementia

People with dementia can sometimes react with irritation or anger when things don't go their way (frustration). This can happen in the early stages, but it can also occur in someone who has been living with dementia for a long time. What can you do to reduce the feeling of irritation in the person with dementia? And how can you prevent it from getting worse?

Cause of Irritation and Frustration in Dementia

People with dementia may sometimes snap at their loved ones unexpectedly or react irritably when you only want to help. If you notice this, it is important to address it. The sooner you take action, the better.

First and foremost, it's important to understand where these intense reactions come from. Having dementia is not easy. You can feel very lost, especially if you realize that you will not get better. This can lead to sadness about being ill, and you might take out these feelings on those close to you.

However, the disease itself can also make someone irritable. When parts of your brain are damaged, you may exhibit different behavior, even if you don't want to. This can happen even if you care deeply for the other person.

Recognizing Frustration and Irritation

Irritated behavior is often easy to recognize, such as snapping or saying something mean. Frustration, the emotion you feel when something doesn't work out, is harder to identify. The following examples can be recognized as frustration:

· Getting upset over mistakes and memory problems

· Crying over things that previously weren’t important

· Defending oneself and blaming others for things that go wrong

· Snapping and frequently being grumpy

· Picking fights and criticizing others a lot

· Getting angry at noise or too much activity. Note: Noise or activity can really be overwhelming for people with dementia

What Can You Do About Irritation and Frustration Due to Dementia?

· Take the Feelings of the Person with Dementia Seriously: It can be difficult to talk about it together, especially when dementia makes it hard for them to express what is wrong. Respond calmly and with understanding. If you can't manage that at the moment (which is very human), step away from the situation for a while.

· Identify Triggers of Frustration: Try to determine if there are specific moments that trigger feelings of frustration. Is it boredom? Or is it due to an overwhelming environment with too much noise and too many people? Keep a list of activities or situations that bring relaxation versus those that cause agitation or anger.

· Consider Practical Adjustments at Home: Sometimes, a practical solution can eliminate the source of frustration. If making phone calls is difficult, consider using an assistive device, such as an easy-to-use phone with photos of all contacts (look at other tips in the chapter: ‘Checklist: Safe and Comfortable Living at Home with Dementia’).

· Ask Your Loved One to Help with a Simple Task: Engage in activities like planting seedlings together, folding laundry, or doing other tasks they can still manage. This helps reinforce a sense of control and usefulness.

· Ensure You’re Not Rushed: Feeling rushed can increase frustration in others. Is it really a problem if something takes a bit longer?

· Physical Activity Remains Important: Getting fresh air and going for a walk together can provide a positive feeling, even if it's on a subconscious level.

策划：秦林林

编辑：周小意

编审：姚倩玉、云京、安德烈·雅阁