Why Everyone With Alzheimer’s Disease Should Prioritize Mental Health Care

After an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, your focus may shift quickly to treatments, appointments, and planning for the future. Yet there’s one aspect of your care that also deserves attention: your mental and emotional health. Prioritizing your mental well-being may even help protect your brain health.

“There are good reasons to treat issues like depression and anxiety more aggressively and not just let them fester — not only for your peace of mind but from a functional standpoint,” says Charles Bernick, MD, MPH, a staff neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.

“People may worry about what the future holds for them or have a sense of loss over how they’d envisioned their future,” says Karen Martinez, PhD, a neuropsychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. “And sometimes, in the later stages, you can have some irritability, anxiety, and depression from the disease process itself.”

Dr. Martinez says Alzheimer’s tends to affect an area of the brain that borders the amygdala, which helps regulate emotions. Sometimes the neurodegeneration that occurs there can cause mood changes, she says.

“If you have an underlying condition [such as Alzheimer’s] and you add an extra burden onto it [such as depression], it can really reduce your abilities from a functional standpoint,” says Dr. Bernick. With that in mind, tending to your emotional well-being should be a core component of your treatment plan.

• Stay social. Alzheimer’s can be an isolating disease, so try to maintain close contact with your family and friends. The Alzheimer’s Association also runs social engagement programs that connect people in the earlier stages of dementia.
• Use relaxation techniques. Stress can take a toll on your mental health. Try doing some light exercise, such as walking or yoga, listening to relaxing music, or doing another restorative activity you enjoy.
• Keep a consistent routine. Doing something, such as bathing, eating, or exercising, at a specific time of day can help alleviate some of the confusion that comes with managing everyday tasks and provide a sense of comfort and predictability.
• Join an Alzheimer’s support group. “A group allows you to talk to others who’ve received this diagnosis and ask how they’re coping and what kinds of strategies they’re using,” says Martinez. The Alzheimer’s Association has in-person support groups and runs a free online community for people with dementia and their caregivers.

• Feelings of sadness most of the day, nearly every day
• Persistent feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Decreased interest in activities you once loved
• Tiredness, fatigue, or a loss of energy
• Anxiety that disrupts sleep, eating, and other daily functioning
• Thoughts about death or not wanting to live

If you or a loved one is experiencing significant distress or having thoughts about suicide and need support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900. If you need immediate help, call 911.

Your doctor may suggest seeing a mental health professional to help you cope with the Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Working with a psychologist or licensed therapist is not a shortcoming or a sign of failure. It’s an opportunity to prioritize your well-being, protect your brain health, and get personalized advice to help you feel better as you navigate a new reality.

Reframing mental health care as a key part of your treatment plan can help you live a happier, more independent life with Alzheimer’s.

“There are a lot of things you can do to help your quality of life and day-to-day functioning,” says Martinez. “It may not seem like a top priority at the moment, but it’s an important factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.”