"Last week, I met Aunt Li, a septuagenarian who doesn't usually talk much. Recently, her daughter noticed that Aunt Li began to talk to herself frequently, sometimes even saying things that were difficult to understand. This change left her family confused and worried. This is not simply a trace of time, but a signal that may be hiding a health alarm. "
"Similar situations are not uncommon in our daily lives. Older people suddenly start talking to themselves, sometimes even without words, which can be an early sign of some serious health problems. Families and caregivers must be vigilant and take timely measures. "
"We can't just think that this is normal for the elderly, in fact, it could be three common conditions at work.
The old man talks to himself: hidden health signals
Older people talk to themselves and are often seen as normal as they age. However, this behavior can be an early sign of certain health problems. Understanding these possible causes is essential for early diagnosis and treatment.
Changes in cognitive function
As we age, the cognitive function of the brain may change. Self-talk can be a sign of cognitive decline, especially when the behavior is accompanied by memory loss or a decline in the ability to perform daily living. This can be an early sign of dementia, such as mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
Mental health issues
Self-talk in older adults can also be a sign of mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. Prolonged loneliness and social isolation can lead to psychological stress and trigger self-talk. In addition, although schizophrenia is more common in young people, it can also have its first onset or recurrence in old age.
Medication side effects
Certain medications, especially those used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes (abnormal glucose metabolism) or heart disease, can affect brain function and cause changes in speech and behavior. Older people tend to need to take multiple medications, so they are more susceptible to drug interactions.
Three conditions that can cause older adults to talk to themselves
1. Signs of cognitive impairment: Alzheimer's disease
When our loved ones start talking to themselves frequently, especially if the content is bizarre or confusing, it can be an early sign of dementia such as Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss, impaired judgment, and impaired language skills. Initial symptoms may include repetitive questions, forgetting recent events, or confusion about familiar surroundings. It is important that families are aware of these changes and seek medical evaluation.
2. Geriatric schizophrenia: a hidden challenge
While most people with schizophrenia are diagnosed at a young age, older people can also experience the condition. Geriatric schizophrenia may present with hallucinations, delusions, disorganized language, and abnormal behavior. Family members may notice that the patient is talking to non-existent characters or reacting to fictional events. This requires professional medical diagnosis and treatment, including medication and psychosocial interventions.
3. The culprit of the accident: drug side effects
Older people often need to take multiple medications, which can sometimes cause unexpected side effects, including mental and language distress. Some antidepressants, anxiolytics, and even certain medications for high blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism can cause impaired cognitive function. If the elderly in the family have behavioral changes such as self-talk, they should communicate with the doctor in time to assess whether it is caused by drug side effects.