My dad's 78 years old. He just recently became claustrophobic. He hyperventilates (sweats, shakes, gets very nervous) in the car, can't be seated in corners at church, can't take crowds or small rooms with lots of furniture... you get the idea.
The thing is, this phobia is new. I've never heard of somebody suddenly getting a phobia at 78! Is this common? Is it a side effect of, or precurser to, dementia or some other more serious illness? Any suggestions for helping him to deal with it? Doctors are out of the question. He hasn't seen a doctor in 40 years and refuses (yes, therapists/shrinks count). Anything else?
Does he drink diet soda or eat/drink anything else with artificial sweeteners? This can often cause an onset or intensify anxiety/phobias. Just throwing that out there as a possibility.
just my first thought - my grandparents are in their 80s, and my brother and i had a conversation recently, after finding out that they visit housebound parishoners from church and people at nursing homes, like, regularly. my grandfather's calendar had about ten funerals on it for the month of january, we think from all these friends he makes. i think it's his way of dealing with the end of his life nearing. maybe your dad is thinking about caskets, death, etc? i can see where that might cause some phobia. everyone deals with it differently. the only thing you can do if he's refusing medical advice or treatment is to talk to him about it.
also, i know many people become afraid as they get older - being weaker and unable to do things for themselves, unable to drive, it's terrifying. it could be some kind of anxiety about those kinds of things, subconsiously. who knows.
hi
personally, I don't think it's unusual... in that , I myself who was NEVER claustrophobic , now can't stand to be in closed quarters such as elevators or crowded buses... Could be something within triggered this.. (some would say, post-traumatic stress) for example.. an incident in his earlier life happened and he put it aside, all the while the sub-conscious retains it and then BAM.. it rears its ugly head in the way of a seemingly new fear or phobia.. when really, maybe he was already a little uncomfortable being in crowds..... also... now this may sound far off, but in relation to phobias, I have read that the underlying current is often anxiety and it's the anxiety that drives the phobia... did something in his life suddenly change? could be something VERY simple.. In addition, diet can trigger anxiety. I myself suffer from anxiety at times and have read that lack of minerals and vitamins can bring on anxiety... so it's not just a mental, emotional dilemna, but also a physiological one as well... it's worth reading up on. I wish your dad the best :)
My grandmother is 85 and has devolope so very odd phobias and habbits these past few years. In the beginning the doc said it was normal then she was diagnose with alzheimers. So if u can I would get him to see the doc. I know older people are sat in their ways. but paranoia is a sign. This website helped us alot. http://www.namenda.com/sections/about-alzheimers-disease/... I hope it might help you. good luck
He really should see a Doctor.
Or, I know nowadays its not common... but can a Doc come to your/his house? I've read of some Docs that will do that.. for homebound people.
It could be an onset of something.. but yes, as some people get elderly... they do become afraid of some things that prior was a common thing.
My Mom, is about that age... she says sometimes she feels "anxiety."
But she goes to the Doctor.
really, nothing can be conclusively diagnosed in him, unless he is seen by a medical professional.
Or, do you know of any Doctors personally, friends or something, that might come and see your Dad at home?
All the best,
Susan
I am a neuropsychologist and evaluate older patients for dementia. Behavioral changes can be both medical or psychological but there is no way to know unless he is seen by a doctor. You need to figure out a way to get him to see a neurologist or at least a good general practioner. Good luck.
Hi, M.,
I do research on cognitive impairment in the geriatric population. I agree with most of the comments already posted. I developed social anxiety over the age of 40, although I used to love to giving speeches and regularly talked to strangers. My father-in-law, at the age of 81, developed an extreme case of anxiety. Dementia could cause the symptoms you described. Other things could cause these symptoms. I think a neuropsychological exam is in order.
Good luck!
Lynne
I think it's actually common for people to develop anxieties as they get older. He really should see a doc.
