عزيزي الديد: I AM watching my mum vanish due to Alzheimer’s and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m so depressed.

Mum’s 79. I’m her son, 56, and her primary carer.

She was diagnosed last year but her condition got worse so quickly.

Mum was always so kind and gentle.

But now she’s aggressive, saying horrible things and hitting me with her walking stick.

She doesn’t recognise me – and nowadays I hardly recognise her.

الأكثر قراءة في عزيزي ديدري

عزيزي الديد

I think my wife is a secret lesbian and is using me as a ‘beard’

MONEY WORRIES

Fears about my daughter’s spending habits are keeping me up at night

COLD COMFORT

بعد وفاة والدتها, طلبت زوجتي الراحة من رجل آخر

THANK YOU

When I wrote to you, I was in awful debt and felt I had nothing left to live you

يقول ديدير: It is a terrible illness that can affect a person’s personality and behaviour.

Although it is distressing for you, remember it is her illness talking, not your mum.

As her condition worsens, it may be worth considering a full-time care setting which could be kindest to you all.

MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE

I’M WORRIED

ابني المراهق منهك بسبب كوفيد الطويل & أنا قلق على مستقبله

DEIDRE’S STORIES

Rory catches Amber and Kelly in bed together

Talk it over with Alzheimer’s Society (alzheimers.org.uk, 0333 150 3456), which can direct you to local support groups for carers.

I am also attaching my support pack Help For Your Depression.