change of mood

[Bolinha99]

After six months mine seems to have awakened. She spoke again, left the probe. But it seems that he is always angry, he screams, he makes gestures with his mouth. I have difficulty in administering the medications because she always refuses. However, I am very happy to see this recovery. Do you know how to tell me if this change in mood is common? What can I do to help?

[salamander160]

Hi, it is hard to say if it is common or not as there are no two sufferers the same, but every little improvement is a good sign. just be assured no matter how long it takes it should get better, I had my encephalitis in 1975, it has been one uphill battle for me.

[Bolinha99 in reply to salamander160]

Thank you!

[OldGnome]

Hello! After coming down with encephalitis, my mood changed a few times, since getting out of the hospital. I was VERY emotional for a time, and after 3 years, I am not very emotional at all. Your sister may have similar mood changes. They may take a long time to change, like mine did. Your sister is very young, and she has plenty of time to improve!

I would just like to suggest that you take some time for yourself to relax and recharge. A couple of malassadas and coffee are good!

[Bolinha99 in reply to OldGnome]

Thank you! I'll do it.☕

[Paula-38]

Hi Bolinha69,I had encephalitis in 1977 so ever since I first started talking, my mood has been affected in various ways at different stages of my life and just finding out recently that encephalitis was the cause of my paranoia, anxiety, depression, profound Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - referred to as OCD. When I was a teenager and into my 20's I used to be very irritable and angry. I used to have anger outbursts which my parents used to say I was having tantrums but I wasn't.

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder because at the time I was being really aggressive to my parents because they were triggering off ny OCD and were refusing to do any compulsions so this caused rows arguments etc with my parents. My Mum is no longer with us, ( she passed away 2 and a half years ago).

I 'm nowhere near as aggressive as I used to be to my dad but I do get very angry with him at times so I shout and swear at him when he refuses to listen to me, or if he triggers my OCD off, or say if we are watching TV, I have real difficulty to follow the storyline even though my Dad knows that talking throughout the programme distracts my concentration I sometimes wish he would shut up and then I shout at him.

I have had a lot of intensive CBT for my OCD, and clinical depression but nothing for my anger apart from leave the situation which sometimes is possible but not always and having to bottle it up because we live in a world where we are sometimes not allowed to express ourselves openly because that could cause trouble in the community so I just go to bed and sleep it off.

I would recommend CBT for your sister if she is experiencing 'similar' problems to some of mine. But first of all get her doctor to refer her to a neuropsychiatrist so they can give her a mental health diagnosis, refer her to a CBT therapist in your Community Mental Health Team, oh and maybe a neuropsychologist as well but it will take time so try and be patient with her because I think she might find that helpful ( I do), but I also know that it's easier said than done.

Best of luck to your sister and all the family.

[alpappy]

In time it will get better I am four years out still emotional but mostly fine

[Ocean96]

Hi Bolinha99

I'm so sorry to hear your loved one has been unwell with encephalitis.

Recovery is definitely not easy and every small improvement is actually a big leap in recovery.

The encephalitis society have fantastic support systems in place if you ever need someone to chat to - encephalitis.info/support

The early stages of recovery can be confusing at times. I'm not sure if your loved one is still in hospital but if so here is a fact sheet explaining things - encephalitis.info/Pages/Cat...

Also, here is a link to some information about recovery - encephalitis.info/guideline...

Hope some of that helps and thanks so much for reaching out and sharing your story!