Charles bonet syndrome

having hallucinations must be very frightening to your mom. I found a great article that outlines how people can help a family member with Charles Bonet. I hope you find it helpful. https://www.charlesbonnetsyndrome.org/index.php/cbs-ii/carer-support#:~:text=Provide%20reassurance%20to%20the%20person,can%20reduce%20anxiety%20and%20fear.
Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader

Hello , my mother was about the same age, and legally blind with dry amd, when she developed Charles Bonnet Syndrome, so I understand how distressing this can be for her and for you. It was definitely trial and error for us, and everyone is different, but I can share with you how we tried to handle this. We first had to get a firm diagnosis, because there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. We regularly did blood tests for urinary tract infections because they can cause hallucinations in older people. We sometimes found these, and her halllucinations often improved with antibiotics. First we reassured her that she wasn't losing her mind, because sufferers often worry about that. Then we looked for what triggered her and it was often at times of stress that these visions happened. Getting ready for bed, or choosing clothes to wear in the morning often set things off. We tried to simplify these times. When she was seeing "sights" we tried to change the environment. We turned the television or the radio on or off as the case may be. We turned the lights on or moved her to another room, and tried to distract her. We tried getting her to quickIy look from side to side, but that didn't seem to work. I had some success reasoning with her that certain things weren't happening, but I hated to have to contradict her all the time, and tell her things weren't real. Sometimes no reasoning would help, and as long as the visions weren't threatening to her, I let it go. Her sights weren't always pleasant, though, there was a mixture of harmless things and some slightly threatening things. At the doctor's suggestion, we tried an anti-hallucinogenic medication, but that didn't help - it may have made the situation worse. Things weren't all bad, and she enjoyed plenty of time without the visions - I think the isolation of COVID made things slightly worse, as there were fewer distractions available. I hope you can find something here to help you and your mother, and I wish you the very best in trying to deal with this situation. Warm regards, Wendy, Patient Leader.