Geriatric Psychiatrist Questions Mood Swings

How can I help my mother's emotional outbursts?

My mother ends up having emotional outbursts at random points throughout the day. Is there anything that I can do to stop them?

3 Answers

GeriatricPsychiatristMoodSwings
Are there any triggers?
Remove triggers.
Make the home environment calm and relaxing: music, lavender, offer favorite snacks, watch a game show.
If nothing is helping, she might benefit from medications like SSRI.
Depends on what they are due to. Is she cognitively impaired ? Depressed? Lacking sensory input ( visual or hearing impairment)? Maybe attention seeking or her way to tell you her needs are not being met. Behavioral issues especially with those w cognitive issues are not always easy to find the trigger. Need to do some investigating where the Behavior comes from. Hope this helps! Theresa M. Redling DO, FACP Chief, Geriatric Health Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Director, Maida Geriatric Institute Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School
It would depend on the reasons for the outburst. A psychiatric consultation would be a good starting point.