When you are an adult and you see your loved one having a temper tantrum for the first time, it can be rather uncomfortable. We have a tendency to think that emotional outbursts are only applicable to very young children or teens, but the reality is that these types of outbursts can happen at any point in one’s life. Acting out is nothing more than a lack of composure that is brought on by intense sentiments such as anger, grief, fear, or any combination of these three emotions. Observing your loved one throw a fit is unsettling for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it appears morally repugnant. A great number of family caregivers feel humiliated and do not know how to respond when their parent lashes out in a way that they have never encountered before. It is essential to gain an understanding of the causes that lie behind an outburst in order to determine the most effective strategy to deal with one without losing your composure. Here are 5 ways memory care in Lawrenceville, GA can help but first we need to understand why this happens.
The Reasons Behind Their Unpredictable Behavior
Your loved one has a tendency to lose their cool for a variety of different reasons. Changes in personality are frequently the cause of this condition, which can be caused by Alzheimer’s disease as well as other types of dementia. Mood swings and irritability are two symptoms that can be caused by the unfavorable side effects of some prescription drugs, as well as interactions between those medications. Those who are anxious or depressed about their deteriorating health may experience outbursts of emotion as a result. Nevertheless, the explanation that your loved one in question is acting out simply because they are obstinate and want to do things their own way is the one that is the most challenging to go into.
3 Ways to Handle Temper Tantrums in Seniors
- If your loved one has another tantrum, you should NOT engage them in conversation. Don’t bother giving it any kind of energy. Make it quite obvious that you will not be listening to their outburst in any capacity. Say it in as calm a manner as you can, and then leave the room. Leave the room and wait a sufficient amount of time before interacting with them again. This will allow them time to calm down.
- Remind yourself that you are deserving of a break and that you require one, and then take one. You don’t have to make it a full-day affair, but making time every day to do something simple for yourself will help you reach your goals. You should arrange a time for relaxation in the same way that you schedule all of your other appointments. Your loved one will eventually have a greater capacity for accepting your need for self-care and the personal boundaries you set.
- Make sure that the poor behavior of the person you care about is not being driven by any new or worsening medical or mental health concerns by making an appointment with the individual’s primary care physician.
