i suspect that my mother may have a form of dementia, how do i convince her to get a diagnosis and see a doctor without her getting agitated and/or aggressive and suspicions.
how do relative of individuals with similar conditions/ symptoms of dementia including personality disorders deal with it ? where do they seek help and advice ?
Hi Anna,
Welcome to Caring's groups. I'm really glad you posted! 
I'm not sure what the best way to approach this is. Words like "dementia" really seem to generate a big response...and not a good one, unfortunately. Is it possible for you to go with your mom to a doctor about this? Maybe you can sort of disguise your concerns by phrasing it that you're concerned that some of her other meds are having side effects?
Good luck!
Anna,
Have you talked to your mother-in-law yet? I'm curious how cooperative she's been to getting evaluated.
Dear Anna,
Boy does that sound familiar! Had similar issues with my father, including the pre-existing personality disorder. We were fortunate in two ways - he was receptive to observing some problems with remembering names and worried about it. Also, he used to be a professor and really respects teaching hospitals. So when I suggested we go see the doctors at a big teaching hospital to see if they could helps us with the memory/word finding problems, he agreed. He was fascinated by the process. Having a dx of Alzheimer's from them has not changed his denial about it one bit, however! It did help us to get clarity and be sure we were on the right treatment path. Hope that helps!
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