Sundowners Symptoms

Sundowners syndrome can be associated with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Some consider it a mood disorder or a sleep disorder. The disorder manifests itself in agitation or confusion during the late afternoon or the early evening. It can be difficult to treat on its own because doctors are only able to treat the underlying condition that causes it, such as Alzheimer's.

Mood

• The moodiness associated with sundowners can be short term or long term, depending on the patient. Rapid mood swings can be one sign of sundowners, which can manifest itself in anger or crying, as well as agitation. Depression during the late afternoon and evening is another clear symptom related to mood.

Movement

• Other symptoms of sundowners are physical. The agitation caused by the disorder can prompt the patient to pace for long periods of time. Restlessness is another symptom, either in a sitting or a standing position. Someone suffering from sundowners can also rock back and forth in a chair, even if the chair isn't a rocking chair.

Personality

• One key symptom of sundowners is stubbornness. Those who work in the health care industry and work with seniors say that symptom can make a senior difficult to deal with during the late afternoon and early evening. The stubbornness can also result in the patient "shadowing" people, during which he follows people around and asks questions.

Seeing Things

• Those that suffer from sundowners can suffer from hallucinations. They may tell people they see things that obviously aren't there. Hallucinations can lead to more dangerous symptoms, including paranoia or even violence. Their behavior can become illogical and irrational and they can even lash out at loved ones.

Compulsions

• Sundowners sufferers can actually start hiding things for no reason as a symptom of this syndrome. There's usually no reason for the behavior. Also, sufferers can start wandering around and get lost, making them disoriented. If they get away from their caregivers and do not have identification, it could be difficult for them to be found.