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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Sundowners
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Sundowners
by Amy-Polman, Mar 04, 1999 12:00AM
I have a friend with Alzheimer's who has a noticable behavior change when it gets to be late in the afternoon. I was told this is a common occurance and that the term for it is "sundowners syndrome". I can't find anything on this. Could you help me.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS M.D.-HG, Mar 04, 1999 12:00AM
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Dear Amy
Sundowner syndrome usually occurs in older people with dementia, although it can occur in other medical conditions. It is characterised by night time wanderings and confusion which can be a problem for family members or care providers. Sundowning or the emergence of severely disruptive behavior such as agitation, paranoia or inability to maintain sleep is a major management issue in the home care of patients with dementia.The sleep disturbance worsens as the disease progresses. Patients with this syndrome should be medically evaluated. Depending on the patient, certain medications or environmental adaptations can be suggested.
For more information you can refer to " Comprehensive Text Book of Psychiatry" by Harold I. Kaplan and Benjamin J. Sadock, M.D., seventh edition. For thorough evaluation of your friend by a psychiatrist you may call Henry Ford Hospital Behavioral Services Clinic at (313)-874-6680. I hope this information is helpful to you. This information is used for general medical educational purposes only and should not be replaced by evaluation with a physician.
Key words: Sundowner syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease.
