Hypersexuality is an Alzheimer's symptom that can be uncomfortable to talk about. It can be embarrassing when our loved ones begin to make inappropriate comments, want to spend time with themselves, or show an interest in sexual intimacy. These symptoms can be a sign of progressing disease, depression, or medication side effects. Read more here and don't be shy about bringing it up with your doctor.
On myALZteam, the social network and online support group for family and friends caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer's, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Hypersexuality is one of the top topics most discussed.
Here are some question-and-answer threads about hypersexuality:
• Personality changes: My dad has started to make some sexual comments using language he would have never used in the past. Any suggestions?
• Has anyone experienced hypersexuality in their loved one? After a couple of years of absolutely no interest in intimacy, now my husband is obsessed with becoming sexually active constantly.
Here are some conversations about hypersexuality:
• He became 'hypersexual'...the term they use for dementia patients that can't keep their hands to themselves. Anyway, their solution to 'help' him was to send him 3 hours away to a psychiatric ward. I was told it was to get him on a regimen of drugs so he would stop being inappropriate with the ladies and to help with his aggression. HA! All they did was drug him up, when he came back three weeks later, he is like a vegetable!
Can you relate?
Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to myALZteam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.
Feel free to ask a question here.