This morning my mother woke me up because her car wouldn't start. She was in a state of panic or so it seemed to me. I have noticed this before but never thought about it as very part of the disease. It seems like anytime any thing goes wrong it is the end of the world. Even minor things seem to get her upset. Something that the rest of us would just shrug off seems to mean to her everything is falling apart. Is this AD?

I think the panic is a natural reaction to having everything seem strange. Nothing works like it used to, even the smallest tasks seem confusing. I know I would panic under those circumstances.

I know Grams does that too. Drives me nuts at times as I am more laid back. I am not sure if it is part of AD or if that is just her. She was always uptight about things.

That's my problem too. I was away from her for 20 some years and don't remember her being that way before but she has been that way for the last 6 years since I've been back. I am also a very laid back person. My attitude is just relax I'll find out what is wrong and fix it and hers seems to be to figuratively pull out her hair and run around in circles so there definately is a difference in mentality between us.

Kathy,
The disease part is the loss of executive functions including being able to think logically or do even very simple problem solving. As that part of the brain is affected, there are just no options that come to their mind on how to solve a simple problem, and even the ability to think in steps of 1,2,3 can go fairly early. That can lead to panic when faced with ever more simple problems that can't be solved.
Bill

Bill- that makes sense. I am seeing more and more of that. Grams is at the point of just coming out and asking me what she should do rather then think it out herself. I just thought it was conceeding to let me help her but I can understand and see the way you point it out.

Kathy, I can't help worrying that perhaps your mom shouldn't be driving. If small things set her off in a panic, imagine a quick thinking situation while driving. Just my two cents worth...

Bill and Betsy are very wise and right on spot.

I pretty much have been thinking along the same lines and I ended up driving her and then spoke to a cop who I work with to see how to go about getting her tested. He gave me a contact but yesterday was a useless day for getting anything done since it was Pres. Fords funeral here in town. Will try again today to see what can be done. I had thought about just taking keys but don't want to send her into panic every time she realizes they are missing. I know she won't try to go anywhere until Sunday now so I have a little time to figure things out. Hopefully the weather might be bad on Sunday so I'll have an excuse to take her to church.