A healthcare expert who has treated individuals in their twenties with dementia has highlighted some early warning signs that often go unnoticed.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are typically associated with older adults, particularly those over 65. However, these conditions can also affect younger individuals.
Recently, the story of Brit Andre Yarham came to light. Diagnosed with a rare form of dementia at just 22, Andre passed away at 24 after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
When individuals are diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65, it is categorized as ‘early-onset,’ which may exhibit different symptoms compared to older adults.
Nick Fox, a recognized expert in young-onset dementia, has been treating early-onset dementia patients for three decades, with his youngest patient being just 23.
In an article for The Telegraph, Fox shared some symptoms to be aware of.
It’s not unusual to experience periods of low motivation, but if this persists, it might be a sign of concern.
Fox elaborated, “Our frontal lobes are important for motivation, so people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may simply not want to do anything at all, even if someone else organises it for them.”
According to Fox, individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s may become apathetic and lose their motivation.
This is a sign that might be noticeable in a loved one, but a change in typical clothing choices could also be an indicator.
Fox noted, “Someone might start wearing unusually bright clothes, develop rigid routines, or become obsessed with certain foods, activities or television programmes.”
Fox also mentioned that some may turn to excessive consumption of sweet foods, marking a noticeable change in behavior.
Some individuals might naturally lack empathy, but if someone suddenly becomes indifferent to others’ feelings, it could be a dementia warning sign.
This is because early-onset dementia can impair the ability to perceive others’ emotions, as Fox explained in his article for The Telegraph.
Fox shared an anecdote: “One woman told me she was finding it so hard to cope with becoming a carer in her 30s that she had been sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing. Her once very caring partner simply stepped over her to get to the washing machine.”
He further indicated that a loss of self-control and an inability to comprehend the consequences of actions are additional signs to watch for.