Dementia symptoms

Common symptoms of dementia

Each person experiences dementia in their own individual way. Different types of dementia also tend to affect people differently, especially in the early stages.

However, there are some common early signs and symptoms of dementia. These include:

• Memory loss

  For example, forgetting things that happened recently, problems with recall.

• Difficulty concentrating, planning or organising

  For example, struggling to make decisions, solve problems or follow a series of steps (such as cooking a meal).

• Problems with language and communication

  For example, difficulties finding the right words, struggling to respond appropriately or follow a conversation.

• Misunderstanding what is being seen

  For example, misidentifying things, struggling to judge distance (such as on stairs), and misinterpreting reflections, or hallucinating.

• Being confused about time or place

  For example, losing track of the time or date, or becoming confused about where they are, or what time of their life they are in.

• Mood changes or difficulty controlling emotions

  For example, becoming unusually anxious, irritable, sad or frightened, losing interest in things and personality changes.

Early symptoms of dementia

The first signs of dementia are often relatively mild and not always easy to notice.

Difficulties with memory are the most well-known first signs of dementia. A person may get confused more easily and find it harder to plan and orientate themselves. 

Changes in mood or emotion may also become apparent. The person may be more anxious and withdrawn, and may lose interest in hobbies or people.

Symptoms as dementia progresses

As a person’s dementia progresses they are likely to experience additional symptoms.

For many people, the middle stage of dementia is when symptoms will get worse. This is also when changes in behaviour generally start. This stage of dementia is often the longest. On average it lasts about two to four years

By the later stage of dementia, symptoms will have become more obvious and will have a severe impact on most aspects of a person’s life.

• Aggressive behaviour

  Changes in behaviour tend to start from the middle stage of dementia. Sometimes behaviour will become physically or verbally aggressive, which can be a reflection of feelings of depression and apathy - also common in the late stages of dementia.

• Walking about

  Restlessness is also very common. Sometimes the person may seem to be searching for someone or something. They may start walking repeatedly around at home or leaving the house during the day or night.

• Lack of insight

  A person with dementia may be unable to recognise changes in their behaviour and emotions. This relates to loss of activity in areas in the front of a person’s brain (known as the frontal lobes).

• Sleep problems

  As well as disruption to their body clock, a person with dementia may sleep more in the day and have difficulty sleeping at night.

• Delusions

  Strongly believing something that is false, which can also take the form of paranoia. They are not always distressing but they can explain some changes in behaviour because the person’s perception of reality is altered.

How is dementia different from normal ageing?

People often start to forget things more as they get older. Most often this is a normal sign of ageing. But for someone with dementia, changes will be different, more serious and will affect their life more.

Do I have dementia?

What else could be causing my memory problems?

Several things can cause problems with your memory, including stress, anxiety and depression. Talk to a GP if memory problems are affecting your day-to-day life.

Dementia-like symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as:

• Alcohol-related brain damage
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Functional cognitive decline