Navigating Alzheimer's Mental Fatigue: A Personal Story

I have been struggling to share my thoughts. Alzheimer's has a way of scrambling my brain so much that it becomes difficult for me to sift through all my thoughts and get them onto the written page.

This is what many people describe as brain fog. I liken it to the old video game Pac-Man, where that little Pac-Man character comes and eats my thoughts before I get a chance to express them. It seems as if, lately, my days outrunning Pac-Man have been few and far between.

Many of us who live with Alzheimer's describe our days as good and bad. Not knowing when a bad day will sneak in used to worry me. Now, what worries me is this: how many bad days will I have in a row?

How Alzheimer’s overwhelms me

If you have Alzheimer's or care for someone who does, you know how important routine is. Last week, my routine was interrupted in a way that caught me off guard.

I went to a very small social function, which I had been to before. I had rested up before I went, knowing I would need all the cognitive reserve I could muster. However, upon my arrival, I became overwhelmed very quickly by my cognitive symptoms.

The event was held in a different room than I was used to, and our seats were in the middle. I experienced sudden disorientation, and, being in the middle of the room, the noise was so loud that I couldn't filter it out.

A situation unseen to others

I was with friends who usually can help me navigate the environment, but they were not seeing my distress or the sensory overload I was experiencing. I should have insisted on leaving right away, but I didn't.

I knew that my friends would have to leave as well, and it was not fair for them to suffer because I couldn't get through the day. I know they would have made arrangements for me, but that was the last coherent thought I had for the day. I went silent. I had become so disoriented that I was incapable of telling my friends what the problem was.

I couldn't outrun that Pac-Man character no matter how hard I tried. I have no recollection of what transpired that day other than, at the end of the day, I was home, in my safe place. It took me several days to recover and to feel like myself—whatever that means these days.

Alzheimer's mental fatigue and confusion

When I reflect on my experience, it is hard to understand how a small situation can spiral out of control so quickly. With Alzheimer's, it can, and it can make no sense at the same time. When it gets to that point, it is not something that can easily be reined in.

I hesitated to even write about this because what happened was so trivial; a "normal" person would just go with the flow and not let it affect them. I don't want people thinking I am being petty about such small things, but small things can trigger those of us with Alzheimer's. It is hard to explain.

I share this experience for those of you who are caring for people like me; as prepared as you think you might be, things happen you didn't see coming. You can't plan for it; you just have to help us deal with it the best way you can.

Key takeaways for Alzheimer’s caregivers

• Respect the routine: Even small changes, like a different room or seating arrangement, can trigger disorientation.
• Watch for silence: When someone with Alzheimer's goes quiet in a social setting, it may be a sign of sensory overload rather than just being tired.
• Prioritize the exit: If a loved one seems distressed, it is better to leave early than to try to "power through," which can lead to days of exhaustion.
• Validation matters: Understand that mental fatigue and confusion can make minor issues feel insurmountable; your patience is their safest harbor.