Fears caused by Alzheimer’s disease
Mollard-Palacios, Judith
Fears caused by Alzheimer’s disease - 2016.
29
Today, Alzheimer’s disease generates and spreads many fears. Even before diagnosis, a person with Alzheimer’s disease, and their family, will feel a diffuse anxiety, followed by fear. The diagnosis constitutes a trauma that provokes fear, facilitating the establishment of a defence mechanism among people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Support to both the person with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers must be provided to overcome the passivity caused by the fear, in order to facilitate access to changes in behavior. Due to increasing disruptions of the psychic apparatus of the person with Alzheimer’s, a diffuse fear may appear. As the disease progresses, this shared fear is replaced by a more ancient fear that leaves the family feeling powerless. Caregivers may have doubts about their support; are they doing too much or not enough? These fears affect each individual’s identity structure, as well as the family environment. The ability to listen and the availability of health professionals and of volunteers of France Alzheimer and related diseases associations are required to deal with these fears and to support the relationship between the caregiver and the cared-for throughout the hardship of the disease.
Fears caused by Alzheimer’s disease - 2016.
29
Today, Alzheimer’s disease generates and spreads many fears. Even before diagnosis, a person with Alzheimer’s disease, and their family, will feel a diffuse anxiety, followed by fear. The diagnosis constitutes a trauma that provokes fear, facilitating the establishment of a defence mechanism among people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Support to both the person with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers must be provided to overcome the passivity caused by the fear, in order to facilitate access to changes in behavior. Due to increasing disruptions of the psychic apparatus of the person with Alzheimer’s, a diffuse fear may appear. As the disease progresses, this shared fear is replaced by a more ancient fear that leaves the family feeling powerless. Caregivers may have doubts about their support; are they doing too much or not enough? These fears affect each individual’s identity structure, as well as the family environment. The ability to listen and the availability of health professionals and of volunteers of France Alzheimer and related diseases associations are required to deal with these fears and to support the relationship between the caregiver and the cared-for throughout the hardship of the disease.
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