Dementia Articles

Medically Reviewed By: Aaron Horn, LMFT, MA

What is Dementia?

Dementia isn’t a disorder or disease, but a conglomeration of symptoms. You might associate dementia and dementia symptoms with memory loss. That is one of the signs; however, there are many other symptoms of dementia. It impacts how a person functions on a daily basis and severely affects their cognitive functioning, often leading to cognitive decline. Dementia can impact a person’s executive functioning skills, motor function, and cause the person to have personality shifts. A person suffering from dementia may be moody and engage in unpredictable behavior. They might display strange thinking or act erratically, possibly experiencing visual hallucinations. But these factors also depend on the form of dementia diagnosed.

Memory loss or impairment is one of the most commons symptoms of dementia, and the most noted in early diagnosis. A person who has the condition will struggle to remember common words for objects or the names of people they love. It can be disturbing to the individuals loved ones to see them struggle to recognize those who are close to them as the dementia progresses. Here are some of the other signs and symptoms that a person with dementia may experience.

Symptoms of Dementia

• Memory loss
• Trouble communicating with others, decline in language skills
• Difficulty finding the right words for everyday objects
• Forgetting the names of important people
• The trouble with logical reasoning or problem solving skills
• Difficulty handling complicated tasks or instructions
• Confusion and disorientation
• Emotional or psychological symptoms
• Personality changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

Some of the psychological symptoms of dementia can be disturbing to the person experiencing them and their loved ones. Watching a loved one struggle with dementia can be heartbreaking. They might not remember who you are or the memories and recent events you’ve shared. Remember that dementia is a condition that affects many people in their later years and in daily life from there on, and just because your loved one doesn’t remember something significant, it doesn’t mean they don’t value it. You can still treasure the memories you have together.

Signs and symptoms can vary depending on the type of dementia your loved one is experiencing as well. Some may cause sleep disturbances, with others can affect the range in mental decline, or cause severe decline as the dementia progresses. Here is a list of the different types of dementia and ways it can present:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Mixed dementia
• Lewy body dementia
• A symptom of Parkinson’s disease dementia
• Senile dementia
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Dementia isn’t only limited to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as it is a symptom of many other neurological disorders. Before early signs begin to appear, you family history, medical history and laboratory tests can help to identify risk factors and the potential of developing dementia. Having blood tests and brain scans conducted can help to catch signs of the different types of dementia and help to diagnose dementia earlier.

Causes of Dementia

Head Trauma

Dementia and traumatic brain injury are linked. Head injuries can contribute to or cause people to develop dementia. Extensive research has been conducted on the link between dementia and TBI, and there is a correlation between the two conditions. People who have had a traumatic brain injury are at severe risk for developing early onset Alzheimer's disease or another condition that has dementia as a symptom.

Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the most common causes of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. In people over 65, Alzheimer’s is the most likely cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s doesn’t have a cure, but there are some things can slow down the progression of the illness. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 6 million people in America live with Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that 1 in 9 people of the age 65 and older is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. So, this is not a rare brain disorder. The strongest known risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease is family history. Other risk factors include age, genetics, head injury, and aging. There is also a known brain to heart link, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of the condition. It occurs when blood vessels in the brain become damaged, cutting off blood flow and oxygen supply. It occurs most frequently in older adults and the elderly population. However, it can happen to younger people as well. Strokes can sometimes cause vascular dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, vascular dementia is also linked with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, with between 5 and 10% of people diagnosed with vascular dementia alone. However, it is more common for this type of dementia to be diagnosed as mixed dementia. Risk factors that can increase likelihood of developing this form of dementia include smoking, high blood pressure, and a lack of exercise and a healthy diet.

Treatable Conditions That Cause Dementia

Immune Disorders and Infections

Fevers and immune disorders can cause dementia-like signs and mild cognitive impairment. When your body is trying to fight disease, it might react by creating these symptoms. Multiple Sclerosis is an illness where the body's immune system attacks nerve cells. People with MS sometimes experience symptoms that resemble dementia and dementia symptoms.

Metabolic Issues and Endocrine Problems

Individuals who have thyroid problems, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and those people who have too much sodium or calcium can experience dementia-like signs. People who have difficulty with vitamin B-12 absorption may develop symptoms that resemble common symptoms of dementia. They may also undergo severe personality changes.

Nutritional deficiencies are another cause of dementia. People who don’t drink enough water and become dehydrated can experience symptoms that are similar to dementia. When an individual doesn’t get enough thiamine (vitamin B-1), they can have dementia-like signs and symptoms. People who are alcoholics are commonly deficient in B-1. When you don’t get enough vitamins B-6 and B-12 from food or supplements, this can cause dementia-like symptoms, such as memory problems.

Counseling

Whether you are someone who is experiencing dementia or a person who’s loved one has the condition, talking to an experienced licensed counselor can help. Experiencing or watching a loved one struggle with their cognitive abilities and health conditions associated with dementia can be difficult. It’s important to express your feelings and get support dealing with a situation that can feel hopeless. Dementia affects people differently. Online counseling is an excellent option to explore. It’s convenient, and many providers specialize in dementia and related conditions. Treating a loved one with dementia can be complicated. Talking to an online counselor can teach you ways to communicate with them. Patience is critical, and remember to engage in self-care. You can’t support your loved one if you don’t help yourself first. You can learn ways to help treat the loved one’s dementia in counseling. While there is no cure, there are ways to slow it down so you can spend more time with the person you love who is living with dementia.

Questions People Often Ask About Dementia:

What are the first signs of having dementia?
What are the 4 stages of dementia?
What are the top 5 signs of dementia?
How long do people live on dementia?
Do people with dementia know they have it?
Are there warning signs for dementia?
Is dementia worse at night?
How do you make a dementia patient happy?
Do people with dementia sleep a lot?
Does dementia run in families?