My Mom suffers from extreme anxiety, and has lately begun to call me many times in one day just to hear my voice. Any advice?

I agree with the suggestion that others have posted that she might have memory loss, along with the anxiety that sometimes accompanies dementia. My dad calls 10-20 times a day some days, other days he doesn't call at all. It's actually the days when we don't talk that are worse. If I call him in the morning he will often not call me for several hours, but it all depends on whether or not he's having an anxiety attack at that moment. When he does feel anxiety, the first thing he does is call me. If he doesn't reach me, he forgets that he's already left a voicemail and he calls again, and again, and again. So: I guess I want to say, you're not alone, and also, that medications can definitely help. (Without the meds he is currently on, he was calling me in a blind panic, yelling and screaming at me, using profanity, and accusing me of stealing from him on a regular basis, even from some small event like misplacing a piece of paper for a few minutes. It was unbearable, and caused my poor mom so much stress.) Even without a geriatric psychiatrist, you could take her to a neuropsychologist to be evaluated for memory loss, and talk with another primary care doctor about her anxiety. Some anxiety is controlled well with some antidepressants for some people. For others, anti-anxiety meds are needed. I'd agree that Ativan might not be the best (I don't like it, as I believe it exacerbates memory loss, if not outright causes it for some people like my mom). But there are other options, like Buspar (buspirone) and Seroquel (quetiapine) that can work either separately or together to help stave off her anxiety. Small doses of Xanax (alprazolam) can be okay too if used very sparingly (it's apparently been shown to be addictive in the elderly, and can also worsen memory problems). Best of luck, I hope everything works out for you and you get some peace of mind.

Oh, Lord, help! Here, it's been about 12.5 years ... waaay too long to deal w/alone. When my husband was alive (cancer got him at 43), he said, "If your mom needs help when she's older, she can live w/us." Well, he's not been around at help me deal w/her at all ... would sure love to have someone come and help with now & then. :(

I agree that she needs to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. My Mother's anxiety was so intense it was making me crazy. If we have to wait in an exam room at the doctor's office, she wants me to open the door because she's sure they've forgotten her and everyone has left and locked the office. When my husband and go out (once a week) to pick up a takeout supper for all of us, I have to call her every half hour or she makes the sitter call me because she's afraid something has happened to us. Like your mom, she has always been nervous, and age and dementia has just made it worse. I talked to her PCP, who referred her to a psychiatric NP. The NP first prescribed klonipin, but it gave her the rare side effect of double vision. Next prescription was buspirone, which has been a Godsend. She still has anxiety, but seldom has the melt-downs she was having almost daily.

She is 93, has lived with us for 10 years, and had a stroke 2 years ago. No physical after-effects from the stoke - only mental. No short-term memory at all, medium-term is spotty, and she is not well oriented. She often doesn't know where she is or how she got here, and has to ask who I am. Once we re-establish those basic facts, she is fine until the next day.

Given all those things, I guess I would be anxious too.

Oh I forgot to add, my mom started going nuts after a botched endoscopy for an upper GI bleed. They thought they got it and sent her to rehab a crappy one with roaches - my fault my mom was still quite lucid at the time Stage 2 when dementia kind of starts to show and I knew if she went where the doctor wanted to send her she would die of a heart attack if she thought I was going there at night - that is not irrational - it was in gang land and I would have been visiting at night, trembling in the car. So she's in this rehab that is crap but in a nice area for two weeks, she starts throwing up blood again, she goes back to the hospital and they do it again - anesthesia round 2. There was an oxygen machine that I don't think worked somewhere and a few bruises and dislocated elbow noticed by a nurse but my mom wasn't in a place to remember what happened after throwing up for two weeks aka not eating so there was nothing that could be done. Sorry this is so long, its been 18 months but THEY haven't had to live with the fall out. So they sent her back for another 10 days of refusing to eat the crappy food. She came up anemic - 3.5 weeks of not eating... and went back to the hospital. They kept her wallet and other belongings. I went to get it, they were all standing in a row some administrator types in suits and a couple of CNAs. Some preppy white suit guy was playing keep away with my moms wallet. He got slapped I admit it. And he had the wallet yanked from his hand as well. The wall of CNAs closed ranks. The black guy in the suit threatened to call the cops. I literally told them to "go ahead and make my day" so I can tell the cops how they steal 80 year old women's wallets, walkers, get well bouquets and have roaches in the rooms. The cops were not called. I made the doctor sign her out to me when she was stable. I took her home and she never recovered. This was February 2013, her memory was shot and she started the calling 20 times a day thing when I went back to work. She couldn't and barely can remember how her cell phone works. She was crying because she thought I was dead and by September she was obsesses with some reality TV show and thought they were taking over LA. By March she thought they were talking to her, by May she would yell at me to be dressed in front of the TV because those men would come out and rape me. I still remember her pointing to Ben Affleck and accusing him of potential rape and the next day my calling all over town to get someone to see her in my boss's office with a large Argo poster on the wall. Then she got combative and hit the apartment manager with a broom. I'm sure she wanted to do that for 10 years. I did. My mom claimed she stole from us. One would call that dementia except that I never did find the George Forman grill. That woman was a piece of trashy work. Still the point was she was too much for me to deal with. I moved July 3rd. July 2nd was my appointment with UCLA with the neurologist he diagnosed mild/moderate Alzheimers with Major Depression and a psychotic element. July 8th after 3 tried (July 4th an 6th) I had her committed. I thought they would give her some meds and send her home - dump the frigging lexapro. Nope they sent her to "rehab" where she hates it and wants to come home after 3 months. I've been running an unscientific poll since my childhood BFF told me this happened to her dad. And yes, its the anesthesia. It speeds up dementia. I am not sure about causing it but it will speed it up.

@stuck1 fight her PLEASE. It took me way too long to get my mom into see a neurologist, I couldn't find a Spanish speaking psych by then because thanks to health care changes the one Spanish speaking geriatric psych in my part of LA (or all of LA) no longer takes medi/medi and by the time I found someone at UCLA it was too late for my mom.

Does she have dementia? That was the first "weird" symptom I noticed in my mom looking back. I have Major Anxiety Disorder and so does my cousin hers was so bad it was more or less agoraphobia from 9 to 50 (her mom died at 9 but the other siblings recovered fast like kids do). Agoraphobia is the only anxiety disorder I don't have. I even like crowds (as long as they don't talk to me: social anxiety) - so while 30 times a day seemed excessive I still didn't think to get her tested.

My mom always thinks I'm dead. She hates when I leave the nursing home I put her in because I have to come to my dark empty apartment - sure I was her caretaker for 10 or 15 years, I've lost track and being alone was weird at first but I kind of like it. I just wish my parking spot wasn't in an alley. I REFUSE to get a roommate. I'm over 40 for God's sake. If I meet a guy then we'll see but I kind of like it.

Back to my mom currently she is on Aricept, Lexapro, Seroquel, Buspar, Ativan as needed and her blood pressure meds. She has been on the Lexapro for anxiety for years way before dementia was even a thought in the furthest reaches of my mind. I think it stopped working. The do that sometimes. I want a psych to remove it or switch it because she is depressed and now she had gone from me being dead to me abandoning her in the home. I would love to bring her home but I can't. It's just me and I am 25 years from retirement. It's 70 for Gens X and Y. Unlike Litldogtoo, we (I) am still working on the perfect cocktail. Oh yes, the Seroquel is one of the bad for seniors with dementia ones but I think it gets a bad rap, the company was marketing it for off label use and got in trouble.

Thanks, Grettaharen, for explaining that you weren't telling me ("stuck1") that there's a remedy. ;) And ba8alou, so far as getting another doctor ... well, you'd first have to convince her to let you take her *TO* another doctor! A problem ... but good idea ... just doesn't work for everyone. Thanks all.

Stuck1, I addressed my response to the original poster based on info she provided. It was not a blanket suggestion to everyone, and clearly not to you as I do not know details of your situation . Good luck to you.

About the pooh pooh-ing docs, my uncle had one of those. She told my cousin "your parents are nice people and nice people don't get Alzheimers". Unbelievable! If the isn't meeting YOUR needs, find a better doc!

Ativan worked well for dad, along with seraqual, there was many times my dad would look for me, he is still living with me and my ma, but he is bed bound and in late stage alzheimers. I only wish that he would call for me or come to my room and spend time with me, anyways, i know it seems bothersome now, but trust me, the day will come where u will want a phone call from her, and u won't receive it. I am not trying to depress u, i wouldn't wish that on anyone, but ask doc about ativan and seraqual,, could make a difference.......one day at a time dear friend,,,,god bless

stuck1, duct tape comes in handy for putting over the refrigerator temp dials, even electric tape will work.... your Mom might still try to pick the tape off but will give up after awhile. Worth a try. No guarantee if the type will ever come off, or leave a sticky mess, but hopefully it will save the food :)

Grettaharen wrote:
"It is unkind to both you and your mother to live this way when it can be prevented."

Are you sure it can be prevented? If your parent's doctor pooh-poohs things (found out via another incident how flaky she was, anyway, so haven't been back there), and your mother refuses to budge (you cannot carry her!) to see another doctor, especially since her doctor says there's no need ... is further pain, suffering due to her state in which she refuses to cooperate with you when you want her to go somewhere else, really preventable? Her separated-35-yrs+ spouse (tho' not divorced) spouse isn't here to deal w/it ... I feel like I'm left having to deal w/what he should be dealing with ... with no authority to do so, but left to bear the brunt of the whole situation.

Just how preventable ... ?? It will continue as is until ... until something finally shows up that's bad enough for someone else to intervene ... for her to realize she HAS to listen, has to go see another doctor (which might at least calm down some of the daily junk, w/help?). Just the other day just one of the things made itself evident again: I start getting some things from the fridge for dinner, tho't they seemed a bit warm ... looked, & she'd turned it way down (again) ... "to save energy." Hey, Ma! You'll wreck many more $$$ FOOD than the few pennies energy you'll save~ "DON'T turn the fridge down again. You WRECK FOOD that way!" Don't even feel like buying any decent meat now, after that happened again. Ought to buy just veggies, etc, that won't be harmed so much if warm too long ... you don't know when she might do it again! I'd like to make it to somehow NOT be able to be turned down w/the thermostat that's too handy ......
That's only one of a multitude of things that occur .........

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking about a psychologist. I am definitely going to do that. I think a visit or two would be good for me, also. Anger makes decision-making difficult. I need to work on my reaction, also.

You don't say what her insurance is but patients and families have a CHOICE as to Doctors and health care decisions. If you are not satisfied with her current doctor, find another that is going to meet the needs (I would as her symptoms are out of control). If the plan requires a referral from her primary to geriatric psych, ask for it. Call her plan for info and provider names. Many insurers nowadays have Nurse care managers assisting with members needs. Your Mom needs professional help and you have the right to choose it.

Sounds as if an antianxiety medication may be needed; ask her primary care physician.
How about making a CD of your voice for her to have or some movies that she can watch of you now? We have all this new tech., use it to your & her advantage.

Get her some CALM from the health food store. Or on line. It is magnesium, it will calm her nerves and yours too if you use it also. Most of us are lacking magnesium. Get the raspberry-lemon flavor. Take one teaspoon with h2o as needed.

She's lonely. That will solve most of the issues. I feel you. My mom lives with me and my bf ...I've gone through 2 husband's ..she's nearly 84 and has dementia and I do her pills...and we have a great nurse that comes once a month unless needed more..so yes I feel ya.

Thing is the place your mom is at...isn't helping her the way she needs them to.

You take your mom to see a geriatric psychiatrist. Or a gerineurologist. Make up some excuse. Obama care is my favorite. Dementia is not necessarily loss of memory, it's loss of reasoning ability and reality testing, due to cognitive decline.

As we had to say elsewhere where the subject was bro't up ... what do you do when someone's doctor pooh-poohs what you see all day, everyday, because she doesn't see it when in her office for a few minutes? This doctor would not take seriously the cog decline/actions experienced when not at the doc's office! So, of course, she's not going to suggest some evaluation ... and you can't just haul Ma off to the doctor/psych, b/c she "doesn't need it." Now what ... ?? It's driving me crazy, and I don't want to end up early like her, b/c of all the stress dealing with her causes ...........

Don't add to moms anxiety by not answering phone. You must get her to a geriatric psychiatrist immediately for the right medication. It is unkind to both you and your mother to live this way when it can be prevented. Her anxiety is debilitating to hers and your quality of life.

My mother did this to my sister. Maybe 5 times a day, which was more than enough. I live 1500 miles away, but i begged my sister not to answer the phone. She wouldn't listen, but would still complain, to me. My mother has outlived my sister and is perfectly satisfied in a NH. Long story short - set boundaries and do not answer the phone.

Good ideas, but some I have tried with no success. To respond to gladimhere, my daughter keeps her cell on silent. This helped her greatly as she works in the college Chem lab One day, a gun wielding student got into another part of the lab. The college's emergency alert system was activated and allowed the lab techs to leave safely. The guy just showed the gun and left, but it was scary. I like the idea of a geriatric psychiatrist, because she has many isues that need to be taken care of. I am going to do the same and see a psychologist for anger issues. I am also considering an ALF for when I do go back to work. Turning off cell doesn't work, because she gets neighbors to call. I've got to make her doctor see the need for antidepressant. I am already taking one. Thanks to all. We are all in this together and you are all helpful and thought-provoking.

I know exactly what your feeling. My mom absolutely bombards me with calls. They start after I leave her house. I won't have my butt parked on my own sofa yet, and my phone will already start ringing. Her record for calls made in one day is 56 calls. I've gone to my phone carriers website and physically blocked her calls just so I could get one day of peace. The downside is the tremendous guilt that eats at you for blocking your own mother, and my OWN paranoia that something WILL happen to her and she won't be able to reach me.

I took a dry erase board and wrote on it that she could call me at 11:00 am, 5:00 pm, and 10:00 pm. I also wrote if there was an emergency, she could dial 911 at any time. I put the dry erase board by her phone and a clock. She did adhere to this (for a few days at least.)

Just thought of something else... since your Mom wants to hear your voice, could you set up a very basic landline phone with an answering machine and the only person who gets this telephone number is your mother. On the answer machine record a conversation that is directed only to your Mom, like you were actually talking to her if she was on the phone.

That landline will also come in handy if there is a 911 emergency at your home, as the fire/police dispatcher will know in an instant your home address.... even if you are unable to speak.

If she has dementia, she may not remember that she has already called you. So, it makes sense to call over and over. She may never be satisfied with the call, because she forgets she reached you 5 minutes earlier. If this is the case, there is no way to make her remember to only call you once. She thinks every time is the first time.

I would have her memory checked. Some people can cover up memory loss pretty well until it gets very bad.

debsent, this is just a suggestion, start the day early by calling your Mom.... tell her what you plan to do for the day [I know, she may or may not remember what you said] and that you won't be able to answer your phone until evening.... then you will call her in the evening to see how her day went. I know this is a long shot.

p.s. your bro has nothing to do with this. It seems it's all on you, so forget about him. You do NOT need the stress of having to be angry with him while trying to figure out how to deal with your mom. Only YOU know your mom. So, don't stress over your brother. Forget about him. Deal with your mom.

Buzz word for me is 'dead'. She thinks you're dead. I wonder how she feels? I can't imagine having thoughts like that where I feel I have to call someone. Must be very nerve wracking for her.

My mom thought people were dead until doctors got her meds straight, and this included psychiatric medications, one of which is supposed a drug that 'dangerous' with people with dementia. We weighed the benefits, the quality of life it would give her, versus the downsides.

It's been a year. There has been no downside. At one time I tried to wean her off this, but the paranoia (i.e., dead thinking) came back. Right back on the drug, on which she will stay.

Not saying this is the problem. Just stating what we did. She's 91, mixed dementia, was in diapers in the hospital on her way to a nursing home. Got her out, has never had an accident, wears underwear, but after a year, there is cognitive decline which is to be expected. Does she drive me nuts? Yes! All the time.

How long was she on the anti depressant? It takes at least six weeks for it to work. It may have been the wrong anti depressant. You don't tell them they're taking it, you just give it to them. Don't know how that works in assisted living, but it works we me at home. Different people - different classes of drugs.

A doctor is not the person to give an anti depressant. You may need to find a geriatric psychiatrist or at least a psychiatrist with some sort of background dealing with people who are older. You're mom may have the beginning of dementia? Has she been tested?

This is a hard one to deal with. My mom lived with me and she would always ask where I was if I left the room. She wanted to be with me all the time. It starts to drive you nuts. Now look at it from their view, nobody really knows what goes on in their mind. For some reason my mom felt secure being with me. They seem lost and you are their lifeline. For some reason you mom associates talking with you as a lifeline. Thats how they are coping now. My mom comforted me when I was growing up, and I tried to comfort her. What kind of effect on her if you don't answer. Sometimes it is a brain thing. Some anti anxiety meds could help! Dementia is such a cruel disease and hard to understand.

Turn the ringer off on your cell or block your mom's number. Your call log will sill show that she called only you won't see her come up on your caller ID as she is calling. At the end of the day you can sit down and see how many times she's called.

I think once a day is reasonable. 30 times a day is way out of control. And don't break down and answer. If she has called you, for example, 13 times that day and you answer on the 14th time your mom gets the message that it takes 14 calls to get you to the phone.