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Aging News & Information
Changes in Personality in Senior Citizens Can Signal
a Problem
Mayo Clinic has suggestions on what seniors or
caregivers can do
May 11, 2007 - For better or worse, people have
certain personality traits they can be outgoing, shy, demanding,
boisterous, guarded and the list goes on. Past adolescence, personality
traits usually dont change much throughout adulthood. But in older
adults, personality problems can suddenly emerge.
This change can be due to a difficult challenge, a
life change or a medical or psychological problem. Family members or
friends can encourage steps to find the root cause of the sudden
personality problem. Its often the first step toward trying to regain
balance.
The May issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers
ideas that may help when a persons personality change interferes with
work, relationships or the ability to enjoy life:
● A medical or psychological exam: A
sudden personality change may indicate a medical problem that may
improve with treatment. If there is no effective treatment, knowing that
someone has a particular disease or condition causing personality change
makes it easier to understand the situation.
● Finding substitutes for whats lost:
Retirement, the death of a spouse or other major life changes can
trigger personality changes. Adapting to changes that come with age is a
key to maintaining a balanced personality. Finding new ways to use
skills that are appropriate for ones life stage may help fill some of
the void of physical or social loss.
● Changing a behavior: Asking a loved one
to work on changing a behavior or two may help the person function
better, and make the person more tolerable to be around.
● Refusing to play along: At some point,
family members and friends may need to decide they wont tolerate
negative personality traits. Open and direct communication is a first
step toward giving others an idea of how their personality style affects
others.
● Looking inward: Whose personality has
changed? When a spouse has tolerated her husbands personality
traits for years and suddenly cant take it any more, it could be the
wife, not the husband who is experiencing personality changes.
● Therapy: Group therapy is often the
treatment of choice for those with personality problems. Group members
may gain insight into their behaviors and learn healthier ways to
reacting to people or problems. However, many people with troublesome
personality styles dont see themselves as having a problem. Getting
them to attend a therapy session may be difficult. Its unlikely that an
uncooperative person will benefit.
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