Lewy Body Word for 10-17: BPSD

BPSD stands for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. BPSD are triggered by stressful irritants that can be:

• physical, as with an infection.
• external, as with an overheard phone conversation.
• perceptual, as with the person's perceived view of that their spouse is "calling their lover."
• emotional, as with the fear the perception of the call generates.
• a combination of these, as with:
• frustration at being unable to explain the discomfort of an infection
• anger at being "lied to" by the spouse whose explanation is different from the person's hard-wired belief.

BPSD are often rational behaviors based on incorrect information derived from faulty thinking. They include but are not limited to:

• agitation, anxiety and irritation
• threatening, aggressive or disruptive physical or verbal behavior
• delusions, usually of infidelity, abandonment or theft
• depression and withdrawal
• hallucinations
• paranoia
• repetitive activity

For more information about Lewy body disorders, read our books: A Caregivers’ Guide to Lewy Body Dementia Managing Cognitive Issues in Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia
Helen and James Whitworth are not doctors, lawyers or social workers. As informed caregivers, they share the information here for educational purposes only. It should never be used instead of a professional's advice.