Kellyn Lee is a psychologist specializing in dementia who, in statements collected by the Mirrorrevealed that there is a symptom that usually demonstrate in the afternoon and it is common in people who suffer from a disease of this type, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
“This can happen to at any time of the daybut what we often see in people with dementia is that it can happen in the afternoon,” Lee explains in a video on his TikTok account.
“So what I would observe is that it would be, again, a symptom of anxiety and agitation, and perhaps greater confusion,” he adds.
Lee describes the phenomenon known as sunsetin which patients with dementia present with increasingly erratic behavior in the late afternoon and evening. During these episodes, people may experience exceptional distress and also suffer from hallucinations and delusions.
Although the precise triggers of evening syndrome are not fully understood, the Alzheimer Society suggests that not necessarily linked to nightfall. Instead, it is more likely due to unmet immediate needs.
Among them are the altered hormonal levels; side effects of prescribed medications; sensory impairment, including vision loss; unmet hunger, pain, or other physical needs; alteration of the person’s “biological clock” caused by brain damage; overstimulation during the day; excessive fatigue; lack of sun exposure; lack of interaction with other people or caregivers (if applicable) and mood disorders, including anxiety and depression.
“Evening syndrome can occur at any stage of dementiabut it is more common in the intermediate and later stages,” adds the Alzheimer Society guide.
“Some of these symptoms are related to the time of day, and others can happen at any time. Try to identify which of these problems might affect the person, as each may require different treatment.
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