Fact 4: The Role of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. These symptoms can range from depression and anxiety to hallucinations and delusions. The presence of NPS, including delusions, plays a significant role in the prognosis and management of dementia.
In the early stages of dementia, NPS might be subtle and dismissed as part of aging. However, as dementia progresses, these symptoms can become more apparent and more disruptive. Delusions, in particular, can cause considerable distress and confusion for the person with dementia.
It’s not uncommon for a person with dementia to firmly believe in something that is demonstrably untrue. For example, they might insist that someone is stealing from them or that their spouse is being unfaithful. These false beliefs can lead to confrontations, accusations, and a breakdown in relationships, escalating the already challenging care scenario.(4)
