Dementia and Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are common in people who have dementia. It can also make thinking clearly and remembering things even more challenging. In particular, anxiety seems to be more common in people with dementia who still have good insight and awareness of their condition. It can be particularly common in people with vascular dementia or frontotemporal dementia (FTD) but less so in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

In the early stage of dementia, anxiety is often related directly to worries about coping with the condition and what the future holds. But, in the later stage of dementia, anxiety may be related more to becoming confused or disoriented. For example, a person may worry that they need to go to work or pick up children from school. They may be cared for by someone they don’t recognise or feel comfortable with.

The person may be discouraged from doing things they want to do for reasons they don’t fully understand, such as going out of the house, getting up during the night, or cooking without someone to help them. In such circumstances it can be natural for someone to become anxious.

Common Causes of Dementia and Panic Attacks

In dementia, the most common causes of anxiety include:

firstly, worrying about difficult issues such as health, money problems or relationships
damage to the parts of the brain involved in emotions
stress, pain or exhaustion
hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real) and delusions (believing things that aren’t true)
drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
side effects of certain medicines
lastly, stopping a medicine too quickly – particularly one prescribed for a mental health problem.

People may also be more likely to have anxiety if they have:

Symptoms Of Dementia and Panic Attacks

People with dementia who have anxiety may have a range of symptoms. Therefore, they may feel tired, insecure, or irritable. They may struggle to think as well as usual.

a history of traumatic or upsetting events, such as violence, abuse or neglect
had anxiety disorders in the past
close relations who have had anxiety
a personality more susceptible to negative feelings
other long-term medical conditions or disabilities.
Lastly, people who have had anxiety in the past are more likely to have it again.

Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations), shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea (feeling sick) or diarrhea.

Anxiety can also cause changes in behavior, such as becoming agitated or restless. A person may pace, fidget or harm themselves by repeatedly rubbing, picking or scratching their skin or pulling their hair. Also, they may feel the need to hoard certain items in the home.

A person with dementia who is feeling anxious may feel scared to be left on their own and so follow a partner or family member around the home. Hence, this can be very difficult to cope with when it happens all the time.

Treatment For Dementia and Panic Attacks

Consequently, your doctor will help you choose the best treatment based on a few things about you, including:

Your age, overall health, and medical history
How severe your disease is
How well a medicine or therapy will work for you and your lifestyle
Your preferences or those of your family or caregivers

In particular, several medications, including lorazepam and oxazepam, can help treat anxiety in people with dementia. These drugs are examples of benzodiazepines. Therefore, a person should take the medications as a doctor prescribes and speak with a healthcare professional if they experience any adverse effects.

If you support a person with dementia who is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, these tips might help:

Firstly, support the person to exercise. If they like to run or cycle but are vulnerable if they go out alone, consider whether you or someone else could go with them. If they have mobility problems, they may be able to do chair-based exercises. Everyday tasks like housework and gardening also count
Encourage them to limit alcohol, which can lower mood, and caffeine, which can affect sleep
Help the person plan, prepare and eat healthy meals
Fourthly, look into mental health or dementia support groups, in person or online
Support the person to take any medication as prescribed – pill organizers, wall charts or reminders on their phone can be useful
Talk to them about how they are feeling and what you can do to help
Encourage good sleep habits
Tell family and friends (with the person’s permission) that they are experiencing anxiety/depression so they can offer support
Support them to engage in activities that they usually enjoy, like exercise, gardening, craft, singing, dancing and volunteering
Spend time reminiscing and sharing photos, memories, favorite music, films or books
Ask their GP about talking therapies – although these may be harder for the person to engage in as dementia progresses
Lastly, try introducing a doll or soft toy that the person can ‘care for’ – this may make them feel more purposeful and less isolated

Conclusion

Subsequently, for more information about Dementia, panic attacks, agitation and aggression

NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
adear@nia.nih.gov
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and free print publications about Alzheimer’s and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. All in all, ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.

Alzheimers.gov
http://www.alzheimers.gov
Explore the Alzheimers.gov website for information and resources on Alzheimer’s and related dementias from across the federal government.

Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106
info@caregiver.org
http://www.caregiver.org

National Respite Locator Service
http://www.archrespite.org/respitelocator