DoraMona, I can relate to the theme of your thread. I'm guessing your mother is in seventies, or even eighties. This type of behaviour is often associated with early onset dementia, rightly or wrongly. Because of heightened awareness, it's very easy to arrive at this conclusion.

However, in my own experiences, my mother is a complex person. She's been a widow for over 30 years so well used to fending for herself. Her problem is she obsesses about things. Exploring every angle and trying to imagine what she would do in situations that never materialise. Then there's the attention seeking. Not a new problem!

For years, she's claimed to be depressed. Was most upset when a doctor told her she wasn't. She's tried to control me throughout my life (am now mid-60s) yet still expects my ear when she wants to criticise another family member.

Your mother may be anxious because your father is in hospital and is probably missing his presence. Then again, you could be dealing with the same kind of complex person that I am. All I can offer is my own experiences for comparison.