Recent convos with cALS convinced me to share this. Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional, always consult professionals for all medical concerns.

Although ALS is a mental and psychological gut punch it is not a free pass to behave like an ass, more importantly it’s also not an opportunity to be abandoned. Two sides of the same blade that is ALS. Both are possible and most likely will happen as a cycle, it’s just natural. However it shouldn’t be a default.

On the other hand there is another aspect to consider.

A small but significantly challenging aspect: Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). As if ALS weren’t bad enough, some persons can develop FTD, losing not just their physical abilities but ultimately losing who they truly are.

Here is a site that shares some information.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-frontotemporal-disorders#typesandsymptoms

If your loved one is exhibiting behavior that is an extreme difference to who they are, please consider a difficult conversation with the health care team. You as a family and caregiver shouldn’t endure abusive behavior regardless of the reason or cause. Your mental and physical health are just as important as that of your loved one with ALS.

TJO