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Weird behaviour
My mother is having difficulty sleeping at night. She takes a long time to fall asleep and her sleep quality is not good. Sometimes she either wakes up in between or does not feel well-rested in the morning.
This has been happening for the past 25 days.
There is no major pain/fever. She does have sugar from last 10 years and getting regular treatment from a well known dr.
She never behaved like this but from last 20-25 days she keeps on saying she feels anxious, can't sleep whole night and get weird thoughts And not talking to us properly whereas she used to speak alot.
Could you please guide us on the possible cause and treatment?
Answers (21)
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Sudden sleep disturbance, anxiety, and withdrawal in older adults can sometimes be linked to stress, anxiety, or health-related factors. Since it started recently, it should be evaluated carefully.
Next Steps
It would be advisable to consult a physician to rule out medical causes and also consider psychological counseling to understand her anxiety and sleep issues.
Health Tips
Ensure she maintains a regular sleep routine and emotional support at home. If symptoms continue or worsen, early professional help is important.
For guidance regarding anxiety and sleep-related psychological concerns, you may consult me for a confidential session.
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Hi , not having proper sleep has direct correlation with anxiety , that’s why your mother is facing this .
Check if there any new lifestyle changes that is impacting your mother’s sleep like using mobile usage, watching television or reduced physical exercise like that.
Start consulting a psychologist to help your mom with counselling session plus lifestyle will help her out.
Next Steps
Schedule a session with psychologist to understand the current mental health state and then based on their suggestion follow the therapy.
Mental health related problems can be cured with therapy and lifestyle changes.
Health Tips
As mentioned above check the lifestyle changes and modify in a way that the information overload is less.
Guide your mother to not to use any devices at least 2 hours before sleep and in the mean time if she gets bored take her out or to spiritual places or shopping or you just spend time with her so that she can vent out disturbing thoughts .
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It seems to be geriatric anxiety. It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively and without any side effects.
Homeopathic medicine would be the best solution for your mother at this age.
It needs to be addressed in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
You need an expert Psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
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I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 18 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
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Their could be underlying reason for the restlessness and being unable to sleep.
However possible cause can only be assessed after clinical examination.
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you can consult with clinical psychologist/ psychiatrist
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You can connect with me on practo.
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not sleeping well is the behavior you see outwards, while the reason could be any kind of distress which affects her emotional and mental health, showing as a sleep issue. let her consult a psychologist asap, if necessary they would point her out to a psychiatrist in case if they feel medications are necessary
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everyone goes thro this phase atleast once in life plz dont panic, but dont delay taking action
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Hi, Consult a psychiatrist
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sleeping disorders consultant now
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counseling
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It should be properly treated by a psychologist
Get a complete check up
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consult me at practo Dr.Husna ,a counselling psychologist
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First, let me say this clearly and gently: what your mother is experiencing is distressing, but it is not strange, and it is not a sign that she is “losing herself.” Sudden sleep disturbance with anxiety in an otherwise stable, elderly parent almost always has a cause often more than one and most of those causes are treatable.
A few things stand out:
* This started suddenly, not gradually
* I t has lasted about 3–4 weeks
*Sleep is broken, unrefreshing, delayed
* Anxiety is new and persistent
* “Weird thoughts” and withdrawal are new
* She has long-standing diabetes
When sleep, anxiety, and personality change appear together in someone who was previously fine, the problem is rarely just sleep.
1. Anxiety disorder triggered by stress or body changes
In many mothers, anxiety doesn’t show up as panic attacks. It shows up as:
– Racing thoughts at night
– Fear without a clear reason
– Emotional withdrawal
– “Something doesn’t feel right” feeling
They often cannot explain it, which makes them more frightened.
2. Sleep deprivation itself is worsening everything
After 2–3 weeks of poor sleep, the brain enters a hyper-alert survival mode:
– Anxiety increases
– Thoughts feel intrusive or “odd”
– Person talks less, withdraws
– Morning feels heavy and foggy
At this stage, sleep loss is both the cause and the fuel.
I do not see signs of psychosis, dementia, or something irreversible.
I do not hear dangerous behavior.
I hear a tired, anxious nervous system.
Next Steps
Medical review — but with the right focus
Ask her doctor (or a second doctor) to specifically evaluate:
– Night-time blood sugar patterns
– Thyroid levels
– Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D
– Electrolytes
Tell them clearly: “She has new anxiety, insomnia, and behavior change.”
Do not let this be brushed off as “just age.”
Health Tips
How you speak to her matters deeply
Do not argue with her fears.
Do not say “nothing is wrong.”
Say instead:
“We can see you’re struggling. You’re not alone. We’ll get you through this.”
That alone reduces anxiety.
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Connect with psychologist and psychiatrist
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connect
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consult
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Hi
Your mom may be simply anxious due to which she can sleep. Or she simply must have some sleep disorder of sleeplessness or insomnia.
Next Steps
Consult a clinical psychologist asap
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Consult with psychologist for therapies
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Sudden sleep disturbance along with anxiety and withdrawal for the past few weeks may indicate increased stress, anxiety, or possible mood-related concerns. Since she also has diabetes, medical factors like blood sugar fluctuations or medication effects should also be ruled out.
I would suggest a consultation with a physician for medical evaluation along with a psychologist/psychiatrist assessment so that proper sleep management, anxiety reduction techniques, and counselling support can be started early. Early intervention usually helps in faster recovery.
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Hi
When sleep changes suddenly for almost a month especially in someone with past episodes of depression or anxiety it should be taken seriously Difficulty falling asleep waking in between feeling unrefreshed reduced talking anxiety and strange thoughts are not just sleep issues They can be early signs of anxiety or depressive relapse In older adults sleep disturbance is often the first visible symptom before mood clearly drops Since she has diabetes blood sugar fluctuations thyroid imbalance vitamin deficiencies or medication effects should also be checked A medical review with basic blood tests and sugar monitoring along with psychiatric consultation is important
Please do not ignore these changes Early treatment gives better recovery A psychiatrist can adjust medicines carefully according to her age and health rather than giving high doses Along with this maintain a fixed sleep wake routine morning sunlight exposure light physical activity and gentle emotional support at home Reducing her fear about not sleeping is very important because anxiety about sleep worsens insomnia Take therapy You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five
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Consultation with me is advised
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Rajvi Shirin
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Gurgaon
Thank you for sharing your concern. Based on what you have described, the primary difficulty appears to be disrupted sleep, however, it is important to understand any predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors that may be contributing to this change.
It may be helpful to gently explore with your mother if there have been any recent stressors, changes or thoughts that could be affecting her. If she feels more comfortable speaking with a mental health professional can provide a safe space to understand these concerns and guide appropriate next steps.
You mentioned that she is experiencing anxiety. While anxiety can contribute to sleep disturbances, it is also possible that difficulty sleeping itself may be increasing her anxietyâcreating a cycle that can feel hard to break. Her withdrawal and reduced communication also indicate that further exploration would be beneficial.
Additionally, you may consider a brief screening tool such as the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale) or a similar assessment used by a therapist. This can help in understanding her current emotional stateâwhether it reflects situational stress, an early warning sign, or something that may require more focused support.
Seeking professional support would be valuable in understanding the underlying concerns, addressing her thoughts, and improving her engagement and overall wellbeing.
In the interim, some supportive strategies may help:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep routine
- Gentle relaxation practices (e.g., breathing exercises or mindfulness) catering to anxiety and finding calmness within
-Light physical activity, if her health permits, can help the body feel naturally tired and support better sleep.
-Soothing bedtime practices such as chamomile tea
.
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Calm Harbor Counselling Psychology â your safe harbor for mental wellbeing. Reach out to begin your care.
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Dr. Apurva Singh (PhD)
Rehabilitation Therapist
3 yrs exp
Delhi
It sounds like your mother is going through a distressing phase. Sudden sleep disturbance, anxiety, withdrawal, and unusual thoughts for the past 3–4 weeks should not be ignored. Please validate her feelings and avoid dismissing them.
Since she has diabetes, first consult her endocrinologist to rule out blood sugar, thyroid, or medication-related causes.
Next Steps
At the same time, I strongly recommend consulting a psychologist for proper assessment and early intervention.
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Early support can make a significant difference.
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Ms. Pooja Bhargava
Psychologist
10 yrs exp
Delhi
Given the recent onset of insomnia, anxiety, social withdrawal, and “weird thoughts” this could be an anxiety disorder, depressive episode or another stress-related or medical condition (including thyroid or blood sugar fluctuations)
An evaluation by a physician and psychiatrist to rule out medical causes and begin early treatment is recommended
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Consult psychiatrist and General physician
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Ms. Renuka Chauhan
Mental Health Counselor
2 yrs exp
Delhi
Thank you for sharing these details. Changes in sleep, increased anxiety, unusual thoughts, and reduced communication over the past few weeks can be concerning for families, and it’s understandable that you’re worried.
There can be many possible causes for these changes, including stress, anxiety disorders, mood-related conditions, hormonal or medical factors (such as blood sugar fluctuations, thyroid issues), side effects of medications, or other health concerns. Because these symptoms are relatively new and represent a change from her usual behavior, it would be important for her to have a comprehensive medical and mental health evaluation.
Next Steps
I would recommend:
• Consulting a physician/endocrinologist to rule out medical causes (blood sugar levels, thyroid function, vitamin deficiencies, etc.).
• Scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional (psychologist or psychiatrist) for a proper assessment of anxiety, sleep, and thought patterns.
• Monitoring any additional symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, withdrawal, or unusual beliefs/behaviors, and seeking urgent help if symptoms worsen or if there are safety concerns.
Health Tips
In the meantime, maintaining a regular sleep routine, reducing caffeine/screens before bed, gentle reassurance, and open, non-judgmental conversations can help.
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Dr. Rupali Mohbe (PhD)
Psychologist
26 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
Changes in sleep and behaviour over a few weeks can sometimes signal that a person is under increased emotional strain, even if there is no obvious external problem. Difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night, feeling unrefreshed, anxious thoughts, and reduced communication are commonly seen in early anxiety or depressive episodes.
In individuals with long-standing medical conditions like diabetes, sleep disturbance and emotional stress can also influence each other. Since this change is recent and noticeable, it is wise to address it early rather than waiting.
Next Steps
Helpful steps may include:
- Arranging a medical review to check blood sugar control, thyroid function, and general health, as metabolic changes can affect sleep and mood
- Scheduling a consultation with a psychiatrist if anxiety, withdrawal, or sleep problems persist
- Connecting her with a mental health professional, especially a therapist, who can help her manage anxious thoughts and emotional distress in a supportive way
- Encouraging a stable sleep routine, including fixed bedtimes, limited screen exposure at night, and light daytime activity
- Maintaining gentle family interaction without pressuring her to “act normal,” so she feels supported rather than judged
- Monitoring appetite, mood, and energy levels for any further changes
Health Tips
When sleep and anxiety changes are addressed early, recovery is usually smoother. A combination of medical evaluation and psychological support can help restore her previous level of functioning. To know more about this, you can always reach out for help to us at nine-five-two-two-five-five-five-seven-zero-three.
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