When dementia changes personality: Five typical symptoms

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While Alzheimer’s becomes noticeable through increasing memory impairment, frontotemporal dementia is indicated by a change in personality. Five behavioral symptoms are significant.

Among the 50 different forms of dementia, the so-called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is considered a rather rare form, which is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the forehead and temple area of ​​the brain, the frontal lobe (frontal lobe) and the temporal lobe (temporal lobe). This form of dementia attracted attention through the well-known US actor Bruce Willis. The reason why the cells die off is largely unknown Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V reported. In some cases, frontotemporal dementia, also known as “Pick’s disease” or “Pick’s disease”, is triggered by changes in the genetic makeup. A frequent occurrence of the disease within a family is observed. Metabolic diseases should also be considered as a risk factor. Almost all patients show changes in personality and interpersonal behavior at an early stage German Alzheimer Society e. V

When dementia changes personality: Five typical early symptoms

The first symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can become noticeable at an early age, under 30. Those affected stand out because they suddenly show tactless and aggressive behavior.

© VadimGuzhva/Imago

The reason why personality and behavior changes in frontotemporal dementia can probably be explained by the fact that the affected frontal and temporal lobes control emotions and social behavior, among other things. The typical conspicuous early symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include:

  • loss of empathy
  • apathy and indifference
  • Disinhibition, also in sexual terms
  • Aggressive, irritable, and inappropriate behavior
  • tactlessness

Some patients also show pronounced language disorders, especially word-finding disorders. As with Alzheimer’s, memory is only affected as the frontotemporal dementia progresses.

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Recognizing dementia: Eleven symptoms can indicate the disease

man sleeps in bed
Even years before, disturbed sleep with intense dreams can indicate later dementia. According to the results of a Canadian study, the so-called REM sleep behavior disorder should be a warning sign of brain diseases that appear about 15 years later. People who have violent dreams and kick or punch themselves are said to have an 80 to 100 percent higher risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease such as dementia or Parkinson’s. © Monkeybusiness/IMAGO
Blurred woman at the table
Perceptual disturbances up to and including hallucinations are also possible early symptoms of dementia, particularly in Lewy body dementia. Many of those affected find it difficult to recognize images, colours, contrasts and to grasp spatial dimensions. This can also affect the recognition of familiar faces. For example, those affected suddenly see their own mother in a stranger. According to the medical journal, studies with Alzheimer’s patients show that around a third of those affected develop delusions and around a sixth develop pronounced hallucinations. © weedezign/Imago
person takes notes
Forgetfulness and inattentiveness are among the typical symptoms that those affected and their families notice when dementia begins. Suddenly those affected can no longer remember important appointments and have to organize their everyday life with the help of mnemonic devices and reminder notes. They miss turning off the stove, leave the key in the front door after unlocking it, misplace objects – also because they suddenly put them away in unusual, outlandish places. In addition, those affected show difficulties in assigning names to familiar faces. Normal cognitive changes differ from the forgetfulness associated with budding dementia in that names or appointments are forgotten for a short time but are often remembered later, according to the Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V.” © Ute Grabowsky/photothek.net/Imago
older couple
Dementia is characterized by increasing confusion, which is reflected in impaired judgment. Clothing is no longer chosen according to the weather. Those affected suddenly want to wear winter boots or a hat on warm days, for example, as described by the “Neurologists and Psychiatrists on the Internet” portal. ©Panthermedia/Imago
Man supports his head
Depression and dementia influence each other. Those suffering from depression have a six-fold increased risk of developing dementia. Conversely, people with dementia are up to 50 percent more likely to be affected by depressive phases, accompanied by sleep disorders and a loss of appetite. © imagebroker/theissen/Imago
Man reacts aggressively
Personality changes with irritable mood and aggressive behavior can also herald the onset of dementia: previously gentle people suddenly show strong mood swings for no apparent reason, react exaggeratedly, short-tempered, hostilely, even towards people they know. It is usually the relatives who notice the changes in personality and who suspect dementia. © marcus/Imago
Woman smells a blossoming branch of a tree in spring
Similar to Parkinson’s disease, developing dementia can lead to a loss of the sense of smell and, linked to this, a reduced sense of taste. A sudden loss of smell in older people may be a sign of dementia in the future, a study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, led by Dr. Rosebud Roberts could prove. © imageBROKER/Manuel Kamuf/Imago
Elderly woman on the phone
People who develop dementia find it increasingly difficult to follow a conversation and actively participate in a conversation, as the “Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e. V.” describes. Those affected often lose the thread of their minds in conversation, repeat sentences, show difficulty finding words and use inappropriate filler words. © edbockstock/Imago
Man sits on the edge of the bed
People suffering from dementia often suffer from insomnia and disorders of the sleep-wake cycle. The “internal clock” is affected by the dying nerve cells in the brain. Those affected often cannot fall asleep in the evening, are very restless at night, and sometimes wander around. © Monkeybusiness/Imago
man in pedestrian zone
People suffering from dementia find it more difficult to find their way in new and familiar places and develop spatial and temporal orientation problems. Places or time intervals can no longer be classified. For example, those affected forget the year and season, can no longer read the time, and no longer know how to get home. © Westend61/Imago
Elderly lady with calculator
People who develop dementia show increasing cognitive difficulties. The “Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V.” summarizes that Demente finds it difficult to perform more complex tasks such as calculating change, filling out forms and reading prescriptions. Affected people often notice themselves that they are less able to concentrate and need more time than before for many things. © Joseffson/Imago

Frontotemporal dementia usually begins much earlier than Alzheimer’s, on average between the ages of 50 and 60. The youngest sufferers contract the disease before the age of 30, but some do not develop until they are over 60.

Dementia: How the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia affect family members

Whether Alzheimer’s dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s dementia or frontotemporal dementia – the disease is always a great challenge and burden for the relatives. The person you once knew changes more and more over time. Living with someone who has frontotemporal dementia is particularly difficult for relatives due to the disinhibited behavior, the aggression and the unpredictability of the symptoms. The lack of empathy and an increasing disinterest in relatives and friends are often not easy to bear, as is the case German Alzheimer Society e. V know from experience with those affected.

When dementia changes personality: the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia is challenging

Diagnosing frontotemporal dementia can be difficult. Other diseases such as mania, schizophrenia, alcohol addiction or depression are often suspected due to the pronounced behavioral problems and personality changes.

It is valuable when those affected have a doctor at their side who, including the relatives, carries out a very precise diagnosis according to the exclusion principle. Important and decisive information can emerge from discussions with those close to you. Simple tests such as the mini mental status test, the watch test and the DemTect test can show whether dementia is possible. The Frontal Behavioral Inventory Test was specially developed for diagnosing frontotemporal dementia. There may also be other people in the family who also have FTD – in this case a genetic test can simplify the diagnosis.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

Rubric list image: © VadimGuzhva/Imago

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