For the last several weeks, my husband starts crying for no obvious reason. He can't seem to stop. He's on anti-depressants and his MD won't increase the dosage. I ask him if I've said or done something, and he shakes his head no. These jags can last up to a half-hour, and are happening more and more frequently, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week.
He does seem to go into a funk when I have to give him a gentle nudge about something harmful, i.e. "please don't give the dog chocolate," but he does anyway, and I have to clean up the carpet (!!), then he says, "I can't do anything right. I wish I were dead." (most recent example.)
Best of luck!
A crying jag or coughing jag, laughing jag would be any uncontrolled crying, coughing, laughing that lasted a while.
Is it possible to give him safe treats for the dog? I always keep things my girl can safely eat for my mom to give her, otherwise I am dealing with a sick puppy and I can not get my mom to stop. She equates love and food, so I don't want to be angry with her, but I don't want her to kill my dog.
Sometimes we have to offer solutions and never say that's not okay. Especially when they are feeling very sensitive. This quarantine is starting to get everyone down. So find things that he can feel a win about. New treats to teach the dog how to do a new trick or something he can accomplish and get a well done from you.
The VA can be of great help later on in this journey as well.
Is it also possible to get your husband to see a therapist that he can talk to?
You might even want to contact the Alzheimer's Association and find out if there are any Support Groups FOR people with dementia not the caregivers or spouses.
Try this the next time he starts to cry...
Give him a hug. Rub his back and tell him that he is alright, he is safe and that you love him.
Don't ask if you have said anything or done anything to upset him. (if you did he might not even remember and he may be reacting to something you said an hour ago or a day ago.)
The gentle nudge while gentle to you might seem like another..."I did something wrong" comment and that can hurt more if he is in a heightened emotional state. Let as much go as you can. Pick your battles. Don't buy chocolate get something that is safer for the dog. And if possible keep a jar of dog treats near him so he can give the dog a treat. (and if he over does it make the treats green beans, or baby carrots or cut the amount of food the dog gets and use the kibble as the treats)