Tejal Somvanshi
Memory problems often get the most attention when talking about dementia. Yet health experts point to two other early warning signs that many people miss: mood changes and declining judgment.
Over 982,000 people in the UK currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Worldwide, more than 55 million people have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases appearing each year. These numbers are expected to triple by 2050.
The NHS notes that Alzheimer’s symptoms develop slowly over several years. During early stages, a person might show increasing anxiety and experience periods of confusion. Family members often mistake these mood shifts for stress or just having a bad day.
At the same time, their judgment begins to falter. They might make poor decisions, become more indecisive, or avoid trying new things. These changes represent a real departure from how the person normally behaves.
Catching these signs early matters because prompt diagnosis leads to better care. Doctors can prescribe medications for early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s, including donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine. These drugs increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, helping nerve cells communicate better. While they don’t cure the disease, they can reduce symptoms temporarily and improve daily life.
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Several other subtle signs might appear in early dementia:
Word-finding difficulties go beyond occasionally forgetting a name. People with early dementia constantly struggle during conversations, using phrases like “that thing” or calling objects by incorrect names.
Misplacing items happens differently too. Rather than just forgetting where they put their keys, they might place objects in completely illogical spots, like putting a wallet in the refrigerator.
Social withdrawal often occurs not from disinterest but because they feel overwhelmed by their cognitive difficulties or embarrassed by memory lapses.
Financial management problems might include forgotten bills, unusual purchases, or falling victim to scams.
As dementia reaches middle stages, more symptoms develop. The person might not know what time of day it is, wander around feeling lost, experience sleep problems, have hallucinations, or develop false beliefs. By this point, they usually need help with everyday tasks.
While no cure exists for dementia, people can reduce their risk through better heart health. This includes not smoking, limiting alcohol, eating healthy foods, exercising for 150 minutes weekly, and controlling blood pressure. The key difference between normal aging and dementia is that normal forgetfulness is occasional, while dementia symptoms persist, worsen over time, and significantly impact daily functioning. When unusual mood changes and poor judgment emerge alongside memory issues, it’s time to see a doctor.
