Glimmers of hope: a brief guide to dementia
Written by:
Psychiatrist
Published: 09/08/2017
Edited by: Conor Dunworth
Dementia can be extremely difficult, both for the patient and their friends and family. Watching a loved one slowly fade away and become a shadow of their former self is a nightmare for all those around who can do nothing but bear witness. Although most types of dementia are uncurable, sometimes the onset of symptoms can be slowed down or even reversed. In his latest online article, highly-experienced consultant psychiatrist Dr Pramod Prabhakaran explains some of the ways dementia can be treated.
As you grow older, the chances of you developing dementia increase, as the condition mostly affects people over the age of 65. This does not mean you should fret every time you can't remember where you left your keys or what you went to look for in the living room (walking through doorways has been known to make people forget). With advances in medicine, there is always hope on the horizon. An early diagnosis of dementia allows you and your loved ones to prepare for the future, and in some cases, with a bit of luck, means that the seemingly unstoppable march of mental deterioration can indeed be fully or partially reversed.
What does dementia mean?
Dementia, which comes from the Latin demens meaning out of one’s mind, is the overall term for a variety of symptoms that involve gradual mental decline, such as memory loss. The most common and well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer´s disease.
As people now generally live longer than in the past, cases of dementia are on the rise. An estimated 800,000 people in the UK have dementia, two thirds of whom are women. It is estimated that if current trends continue, by 2021 around 1 million people in the UK will have the condition.
Dementia symptoms: what you should watch out for
As dementia is a syndrome and not a condition in itself, symptoms can vary depending on the type. Important dementia symptoms to be on the lookout for include:
Memory loss Decreased cognitive abilities Increased mental clumsiness Problems with language and understanding Bad judgement Loss of empathy Hallucinations Making false claims Loss of emotional control Apathy and loss of interest in everyday activities Difficulty socialising Depression Changes in personality Moments of fraught mental confusion Difficulty concentrating or planningIf you are concerned that your memory and mental agility is not what it used to be, it is best to speak with a GP or specialist in order to find possible causes. In some cases, they may even be able to rule dementia out.
Although, sadly, it is still impossible to cure most forms of dementia, with an early diagnosis it may be slowed down whilst retaining mental function. For this reason, there is no shame in seeking medical help. Either way, it will make life easier for both you and your loved ones.
Why do people with dementia cry?
There may be many reasons we will never know why dementia patients cry - sometimes it might be that they caught a glimpse of a memory of their previous life and all they have lost; or they are lost themselves, unable to recognise their surroundings as they search for familiarity when even their own sense of self has eroded away. They could be crying out of distress, boredom, or loneliness. Occasionally there may seem to be no reason behind their screams and tears at all. Every now and then it may be nothing more than habit.
Life after diagnosis
Being diagnosed with dementia can be a harrowing moment, especially as most types of dementia worsen over time and present other, more severe problems, such as loss of bodily functions and heart disease, but it does not mean life is over just yet. Some causes of dementia can be treated with surgery, such as brain tumours or hydrocephalus (excess fluid on the brain).
If the dementia is caused by decaying brain and nerve tissue, it may be possible to prevent further damage. Managing certain dementia risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes can also help.
For those who are diagnosed with an incurable form of dementia, treatment comes in the form of medication designed to keep symptoms from worsening, if only for a period of time. These medicines are given to patients who have early or middle stage dementia, and help them try to preserve their independence and autonomy whilst allowing them to be present with their loved ones for longer.
If you are worried about yourself or someone close to you, and would like to know more about how to cope with dementia, get in touch with a GP or specialist psychiatrist or neurologist and put your mind at ease.