Writing from the vantage point of a spouse and mental health professional who has witnessed and cared for a loved one with Alzheimer’s over the course of ten years, the author – a clinical psychiatrist – reveals the personal side of signs and symptoms of the disease beyond memory loss that make up the full developmental syndrome of Alzheimer’s, including:

• distortion of memory
• erratic likes and dislikes
• oppositionality
• hoarding and miming behaviors
• irritability and mood instability
• personality changes
• loss of cognitive resilience
• judgment issues
• paranoia
• common psychological defenses against these progressive losses

She then sheds light on the relationship strains and ethical binds resulting from this insidious illness, with coping strategies and suggestions from this seasoned clinician/spouse on Living With Alzheimer’s.