Dementia is not a disease by itself, but rather a collection of symptoms that hamper the functioning of the brain. There are many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Vascular dementia etc. Dementia can affect the way a person thinks, his memory and decision-making skills, which ultimately make him completely dependent on another person. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dementia but treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and make daily life easier for the sufferer. In order to receive treatment, it is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of dementia. Seven early signs of dementia include:
Short term memory loss
Everyone forgets things once in a while, but when it becomes a frequent occurrence, there is reason to worry. Signs of short term memory loss include forgetting where something is kept, why they went somewhere or what they were supposed to do while being able to remember details about events that happened long ago clearly.
Mood swings
Depression is one of the early signs of dementia. This may also be accompanied by personality shifts such as suddenly going from being an introvert to an outgoing person. These signs are usually not easy to recognize in one’s self.
Listlessness
People showing early signs of dementia often lose interest in things even if it were something they earlier liked. They may stop displaying normal emotions and begin to withdraw from friends and family.
Difficulty completing tasks
People in the early stages of dementia show a reduced ability to concentrate and focus on tasks. This can make it difficult for them to complete tasks as simple as playing a game with rules or balancing a check book. They may also find it difficult to learn new skills and change their routine.
Confusion
People in the early stages of dementia often get confused about small things. They may forget familiar faces; find it difficult to find the right word during a conversation or where they have kept things. This can make the person feel very frustrated at times.
Bad sense of direction
Forgetting where you were going or not being able to recognize a place even though you go there quite regularly is a common sign of dementia. People may even forget their way home from the market or their office. In such cases, they may also have trouble following directions and recognizing landmarks.
Repetition
Due to the short term memory lapses, a person may find himself repeating tasks or words in a conversation. They may repeat normal tasks like forget they’ve had a shower and have another one or begin to collect things obsessively.