It's one thing to once in a while forget a couple of meetings, leave your car keys at home or forget whether you had lunch during a hectic period. However, if these acts of forgetfulness are happening so frequently that they are impacting on your life, it could be a sign of early onset of dementia.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms for early onset of dementia are often similar to that of depression, and coupled with widespread disbelief that dementia could never happen to a young person, this complicates the diagnosis of early onset dementia.
Early onset of dementia is typically said to occur between 30 and 65 years old. It is not known how many are affected by this problem in Singapore. However, this illness is gaining attention in other parts of the world, and there are dedicated websites and health organisations to help them. In Canada, 1 person in every 1,000 under the age of 65 develops dementia, according to Alzheimer Society. In Australia, younger onset dementia affects approximately 24,500 Australians. In the UK, about 42,325 people are plagued by this illness.
Due to low awareness and lack of research, risk factors are not known, however, people with a learning disability tend to be at greater risk of developing dementia at a younger age.
If you have the above symptoms, don't panic and assume that your brain is definitely degenerating. Do see your doctor, and don't be afraid to suggest to your doctor your concerns about possible dementia if he doesn't bring it up. This is especially so if he diagnoses stress or depression while you have not experienced any recent triggers.
As with most health issues, the earlier you get your diagnosis and begin treatment, the greater your ability to slow down the effects of the illness. Dementia is not the end of your life, and you should seek treatment, not hide from it.
Common symptoms include:
- Memory loss that affects daily life
- Having extra trouble with planning and problem solving
- Difficulty in completing daily tasks that you never had problems with
- Constant confusion over time and venue
- Difficulty reading, judging distances and determining colours and images
- Problems with speaking and writing
- Frequently misplacing things or forgetting directions to places you have been to before
- Withdrawal from work and social activities
- Alterations in mood and personality.
Symptoms for early onset of dementia are often similar to that of depression, and coupled with widespread disbelief that dementia could never happen to a young person, this complicates the diagnosis of early onset dementia.
Early onset of dementia is typically said to occur between 30 and 65 years old. It is not known how many are affected by this problem in Singapore. However, this illness is gaining attention in other parts of the world, and there are dedicated websites and health organisations to help them. In Canada, 1 person in every 1,000 under the age of 65 develops dementia, according to Alzheimer Society. In Australia, younger onset dementia affects approximately 24,500 Australians. In the UK, about 42,325 people are plagued by this illness.
Due to low awareness and lack of research, risk factors are not known, however, people with a learning disability tend to be at greater risk of developing dementia at a younger age.
If you have the above symptoms, don't panic and assume that your brain is definitely degenerating. Do see your doctor, and don't be afraid to suggest to your doctor your concerns about possible dementia if he doesn't bring it up. This is especially so if he diagnoses stress or depression while you have not experienced any recent triggers.
As with most health issues, the earlier you get your diagnosis and begin treatment, the greater your ability to slow down the effects of the illness. Dementia is not the end of your life, and you should seek treatment, not hide from it.
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