A neurologist has issued a warning on five potential indicators of dementia beyond memory loss. The specialist suggests these symptoms might signal cognitive deterioration in a family member.
Dementia represents a syndrome, or collection of related symptoms, associated with the progressive decline of brain function. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that approximately 57 million individuals globally are currently living with this condition.
Whilst most of us recognise that memory loss constitutes a primary indicator of dementia, this isn’t the sole warning sign to monitor. Through a video shared on social media platform TikTok, Dr Baibing Cheng highlighted several revealing symptoms to watch for.
Dr Baibing, commonly recognised online as Dr Bing, explained: “Dementia isn’t just about memory loss, and there are other signs that we all should be aware of.”
These indicators include:
- Lack of awareness
- Change in personality
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Decline in judgement
- Purposeless movements
Lack of awareness
Dr Bing said: “One of these signs is a person’s lack of awareness about their own condition. And when this happens they’re not being in denial or trying to trick anyone but it’s a neurological symptom where the person’s brain literally can’t recognise their own cognitive decline and that is called anosognosia.
“For example, someone might genuinely believe that they’re driving perfectly fine even after getting lost multiple times.”
Change in personality
He continued: “Another sign is change in personality and this can show up in a few ways you might notice that they lose all interest in hobbies or social activities they once loved or they might stop calling friends and no longer want to go out or just seem completely unmotivated. And on the other hand you could see disinhibition, which is the opposite for example, a person who’s once very polite might start telling inappropriate jokes or making rude comments without any filter.”
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Delusions and hallucinations
“The third sign is delusions and hallucinations, for example, I’ve seen patients with dementia who think that their family members are stealing from them or that a loved one has been replaced by an imposter or they’re seeing people that are simply not there,” he said.
Decline in judgement
Dr Bing said: “Fourth sign is a noticeable decline in judgement and decision making. This often shows up in people’s finances like falling for scams or giving large amounts of money away or making poor impulsive purchases they would never have made before.”
Purposeless movements
Dr Bing called this aberrant motor activity, which is repetitive, purposeless, or inappropriate movements like wandering, pacing, fidgeting, or repetitive actions. He added: “And finally, you might observe aberrant motor activity and this can be a variety of unusual and repetitive movements.
“This might look like pacing back and forth or constantly fiddling with their clothes and these are motor behaviours that seem strange or out of place and don’t serve a clear purpose.”
If someone you know displays any symptoms of dementia, you should speak to a doctor.