Sadistic personality shift following heart surgery?!
Question: Nearly a year and a half ago my dad had triple bypass surgery. Since that time his memory has been slipping, I'm told he's having a tough time at work (he's making mistakes), and he's become detatched from the rest of the family.
Previously when we would all get together my dad would be the one emphasizing that we had to spend time together. Now when the family gets together my dad will go outside and do yardwork, on his computer to finish up work, etc. I think that's probably a depression thing.
However, he's also developed a sadistic personality since his operation. He bought himself a bug zapper and takes great enjoyment in electrocuting bugs until they explode. While visiting yesterday, I came out of the kitchen to find him throwing a live beetle into the fire then watching it die with a smile on his face.
He's laughing at violent movies now, and finds it amusing when women in particular are hurt in films.
He wasn't like this before, what could have caused that change?
Answers: Nearly a year and a half ago my dad had triple bypass surgery. Since that time his memory has been slipping, I'm told he's having a tough time at work (he's making mistakes), and he's become detatched from the rest of the family.
Previously when we would all get together my dad would be the one emphasizing that we had to spend time together. Now when the family gets together my dad will go outside and do yardwork, on his computer to finish up work, etc. I think that's probably a depression thing.
However, he's also developed a sadistic personality since his operation. He bought himself a bug zapper and takes great enjoyment in electrocuting bugs until they explode. While visiting yesterday, I came out of the kitchen to find him throwing a live beetle into the fire then watching it die with a smile on his face.
He's laughing at violent movies now, and finds it amusing when women in particular are hurt in films.
He wasn't like this before, what could have caused that change?
Years ago my father had a massive heart attack, which he survived. The man before the attack was a sweet, patient, soft spoken person....the man after was quick tempered, had no Patience, and yelled alot. Doctors told my mom that the change was due to lack of oxygen to the brain during the attack. He did not get worse but never did get back to the man he was before. You need to talk to his doctor and find out whats going on. I sympathize with you. Good Luck.
Could be the medication he's on or the experience of the surgery, or lack of bloodflow/damage to his brain. I'd talk to his doctor about it and get his opinion. Sorry! It must be hard to see someone you love act differently :-(
If you have ever been in the post op care unit of a cardiology surgery unit, you see that people basically come back from the dead in some respects. This can cause some unpredictable results in the way people are affected.
Why are you complaining? Isnt't it better than the alternative?
Just think, he could be dead, and then you wouldn't have even this to complain about. Give the man his space. Be grateful he is still alive.
Open heart surgery can be a very traumatic experience. Maybe he is going through some post traumatic stress or unresolved grief. He also may be realizing he's not as invinsible as he once thought he was.