Expert: Michalene Peticca - 7/10/2006

Question
My father just turned 70 in May. I have noticed interesting mood swings. he gets angry quickly, he is using old language "ie: colored v. african american" (he is african american) he seems overly sensitive. he has always been a gentile man and now he snaps at people. he has left home driven a few blocks and forgotten where he was, where he was going and how to get home. are these just simple aging signs or is there more?

Answer
Hello,
Thank you for your question. This must be a difficult time for you and your family.  I respect you for wanting to help your father.  

Because of his personality changes and getting lost when driving...i don't think these are "normal" aging symptoms.

Generally, there are 3 categories of which to try and diagnose what is going on with your father:  Depression, Delirium or Dementia (this includes Alzheimer's type).

Depression:  some questions to think about with your father....  Besides the personality change...change in personal grooming? Eating habits? Sleep habits? Social involvement habits (ex, church) Any personal crisis in the last year?

Delirium:  This is an acute state of mind. Most likely brought on by a medication change or sudden illness. (think about when you had the flu..it's that foggy head syndrome..sometimes worse) Has there been a change in your dad's health recently?   Does he take his own medications?  (has he taken too many pills, not enough pills?)

Dementia:  A Physical change in the brain from a Stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. that shows primary symptoms of personality changes and logical thinking deficits.

This is just a real brief, but start, as to what may be happening with your father.   I'd suggest to go see a Neurologist so that he/she may start by reviewing your father's medical history and probably order a CT or PET scan if needed.

Hope that helps!  
Best Regards,
Michalene Peticca, MA