Dementia is a brain disease that gradually reduces memory, thinking, decision-making ability, and daily functioning skills. Over time, people become affected by diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, or Lewy body dementia. There is no cure for it. Only symptom-based treatment is provided. Efforts are made to reduce dementia's impact and improve quality of life. Memory loss, inability to judge right from wrong, losing the ability to perform daily tasks – all of these can happen due to dementia's effects. Treatment of this disease becomes much easier if dementia symptoms can be identified in the early stages. But how do you know if you are affected by dementia?
A new study in 'The Lancet Psychiatry' says there are several symptoms that indicate whether a person is at risk of developing dementia. Researchers studied nearly 6,000 adults for more than 20 years. The researchers report that particularly when certain symptoms appear in middle-aged people, it's necessary to be alert early.
What are those 6 symptoms?
Lack of self-esteem or self-confidence
If you doubt your own abilities whenever you try to do any work and need someone else's help, that's not normal. Even if someone repeatedly humiliates you, you still return to them for help.
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Difficulty dealing with common problems
You face trouble even doing daily tasks. Symptoms like forgetting to turn off the fan switch every day or forgetting which way the bathroom door opens are not normal.
Becoming isolated from others
You feel reluctant to mix with people. You want to keep yourself away from others. You even want to stay away from your own loved ones.
Becoming anxious without reason
If you suddenly suffer from anxiety, the matter shouldn't be ignored. Especially if it's about very ordinary matters. Or about something that has no impact on your life, yet you're suffering from anxiety thinking about that matter. Then it's not a good sign.
Reluctance toward work
Work also feels annoying. You don't feel like going to the office. You want to avoid family responsibilities, too. Be alert if such symptoms appear. Try to investigate the reasons behind why this is happening.
Lack of concentration, inability to focus on work
The biggest problem is concentrating on any work. Whether it's studying or any other matter, the mind doesn't settle. A lack of concentration similar to that of children is observed.
Researchers say if such symptoms appear between the age of 40 and 60, the person's likelihood of developing dementia increases several times.
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Does being anxious or having a bad mood necessarily mean it's a symptom of dementia?
No, it's not. The matter isn't that simple either. According to researchers, all these symptoms are extremely common for dementia patients. But that's not the final word. It's also understood that these 6 symptoms are connected to each other. So if something like this happens, you shouldn't sit quietly. You must also pay attention to your mental health. The matter cannot be avoided. Seek help from doctors or psychologists if necessary. But don't make the mistake of avoiding mental stress.
Psychologists can suggest ways to get relief from problems like anxiety or depression. Get therapy if necessary. Make changes in your lifestyle. Get adequate sleep, healthy eating, and exercise. All of these also affect mental health. They help in living a healthy, normal life.
Experts advise that the above six symptoms may start appearing with advancing age. But that doesn't mean they should be dismissed as merely age-related problems or work pressure. Taking care of your mental health is your own responsibility.
