Few studies have focused on anxiety and its treatment in Alzheimer's sufferers. Anxiety may result from a fear of becoming a burden to friends or family members, or from a fear of being left alone. It is often associated with suspiciousness. The best way to treat this problem is by providing the patient with reassurance and a consistent environment. If drug treatment is needed, short-acting benzodiazepines and buspiridone may be useful.
Trazodone can help the anxious patient go to sleep.
Patients with Alzheimer's are particularly vulnerable to phase shifting. For instance, their activity level may peak late in the day, typically around dinnertime. There have also been case reports that melatonin can help. In the case of agitation, the best interventions are behavioral ones. The ability to deal with agitation is often more important than treating the agitation itself.