Strong feelings are normal in reaction to the diagnosis
“It was very overwhelming, you know, to be really told ‘Yes, you do have dementia.’”
- People with dementia often feel shocked and numb when told their diagnosis.
- Many feel extremely distressed and upset.
- Some describe a sense of grief and loss.
- Some feel anger that this had happened to them.
- Others felt relief, they finally had an explanation for what was happening to them.
Almost all people with dementia describe strong emotional reactions to their diagnosis. This is all perfectly normal. All of us react differently and different waves of emotion may come and go quite quickly. Many people felt overwhelmed and couldn’t listen, think or do much immediately after the diagnosis.
It takes time for feelings to settle down.
For some people it takes a couple of days, for others a couple of weeks. Talking through feelings can help, but if it takes more than a few months and you’re still feeling extremely distressed about the diagnosis, then it’s time to get help to work through those feelings. Strong feelings can get in the way of moving forward with dementia.
Talk to family and/or trusted friends about your feelings
Share your feelings about dementia and talk through the reasons for your feelings, even if feelings are complicated.
Contact the Dementia Australia Helpline on 1800 100 500. The free counsellors will listen and can help you make sense about your feelings about dementia.
If you experience conflict in having these conversations with your partner, children or other family, consider using the services provided by Relationships Australia in your state or territory. Relationships Australia offers specialised counselling and other support to assist people and their families to prevent or resolve family conflict, have difficult conversations and plan for the future (including medical, health, financial and living arrangements).
