Being diagnosed with Alzheimer's is life-changing, but you are not alone. It is normal to experience a range of emotions. Acknowledging your feelings can be an important first step in preparing for the changes ahead.

Emotions you may have

You noticed symptoms. You made a doctor's appointment. You took tests. And you felt a roller coaster of emotions: fear, hope, despair, denial. Then you received a diagnosis. You may have felt numb, unsure how to respond or where to turn.

You may feel sad about the changes happening now or worried about what’s ahead as the disease progresses. Recognizing and understanding these feelings can help you cope with your diagnosis.

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These emotions may include:

• Anger. Your life is changing in ways you didn’t expect, and you can’t control the course of the disease.  
• Relief. Now you know why you’ve had certain symptoms, and your suspicions or concerns have been confirmed.
• Denial. The diagnosis seems hard to believe. You may feel overwhelmed by how your life will change because of Alzheimer's.
• Depression. You may feel deep sadness, lose interest in things you once enjoyed, or struggle to find hope for the future. 
• Resentment. You may be asking yourself what you did to deserve your diagnosis or why this is happening to you and not someone else.
• Fear. You may worry about the future and how your family will be affected.
• Isolation. You might feel like no one understands what you’re going through, or you may pull away from others.
• Sense of loss. It may be difficult to accept changes in your abilities.

If these feelings linger week after week, you may be dealing with depression or anxiety. Feeling depressed or anxious about your diagnosis is common, but both can be successfully treated.

Learn more: Symptoms of depression

Taking care of your emotional needs

Accepting your diagnosis — and the emotions you are feeling — can help you move forward and find new ways to live a happy and meaningful life.

My reaction [to diagnosis] was one of both sadness and relief. Sadness because I knew what was ahead; relief, now that I knew I could take steps to prepare myself for a different life.

Mary T., Living with Alzheimer's disease

You are the only person who can change how you feel about your diagnosis. It's important to find healthy ways to deal with your emotions. This can be difficult at the beginning. But once you focus on your emotional well-being, you may feel more prepared to face your diagnosis. This is a new phase of your life, and you can choose to experience it with strength and support. 

When working through your feelings, try a combination of approaches. The following tips may be helpful:

• Write down your thoughts and feelings about your diagnosis in a journal.
• You may find your friends and family struggling with your diagnosis and their feelings. Learn more about how you can help family and friends.
• Share your feelings with close family and friends. Speak openly and honestly about your feelings.
• Surround yourself with a good support system that includes people who are also living in the early stage of the disease and understand what you're going through. Join our ALZConnected message boards or learn more about support programs.
• Join an early-stage support group. It can provide you with a safe and supportive environment of peers. To find a support group in your area, check with your local Alzheimer's Association chapter.
• Talk to your doctor if you or others are concerned about your emotional well-being. Your doctor can determine the most appropriate treatment plan to address your concerns.
• Seek help from a counselor or clergy member. They can help you see things in a new way and come to terms with what you are feeling.
• If you feel misunderstood or stereotyped because of your diagnosis, learn what you can do to overcome stigma.
• Stay engaged. Continue to do the activities you enjoy for as long as you are able.
• Take the time you need to feel sad, mourn and grieve.
• No two people deal with their diagnosis in exactly the same way. There is no right approach. Some days may be more difficult than others, but don't be discouraged. Learn coping tips to help you manage challenges.

You are not alone

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can leave you feeling disconnected, isolated or abandoned by others. You may feel unsure of where to turn and that no one can possibly understand what you're going through. 

People living with early-stage Alzheimer's have shared that one of the most important lessons they learned early on in their journey is this: They could not wait for others to help them — they had to go out and help themselves to the best of their ability.

During difficult times, having a good support network can help you feel connected to others and give you a sense of belonging and purpose. Make sure your network includes other people who are living in the early stage of the disease. Connecting with people who understand what you’re going through can help you feel less alone and give you the support you need to move forward. Two good places to start are: Join a support group or our online community, ALZConnected. 

Life after diagnosis videos

Life after diagnosis: Hear from others living with Alzheimer’s about their response to the diagnosis and their process to move forward.

Questions for your doctor

After receiving your diagnosis, it's normal to leave your doctor's office feeling overwhelmed. You just received life-changing news, and you need time to absorb this information and understand what it means for you and your family.

Your doctor is an important member of your care team. Take this time to ask questions about your diagnosis, all the available treatment options, and the benefits and risks of each choice you make.

You may be thinking, "How do I know what to ask my doctor?"

Members of our Alzheimer's Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group have shared their own experiences and questions they wish they had asked their doctors. You may find this information helpful as you develop your own list of questions.

Here are some example questions: 

The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease;

1. What test(s) or tools did you use to determine my diagnosis?
2. What are you measuring with the tests you performed?

Alzheimer's disease

1. How will the disease progress?
2. What can I expect in the future?

Treatments

1. What treatment options are available?
2. Which symptoms are being targeted by each medication?

Clinical trials

1. What clinical trials are available?
2. Where can I find published information about clinical treatment studies?

Healthcare team

1. How familiar are you with Alzheimer's disease? Will you be responsible for my care going forward?
2. If I need to be hospitalized, will you be able to provide care in this setting?

Care and support

1. What care planning services do you provide?
2. What support services and resources are available to help me live well with the disease, for as long as possible?

• Download these questions and others as a PDF.

Next: Sharing Your Diagnosis