Dementia is a double-edged sword, destroying the lives of both patients and their families, but early detection does offer hope of managing the disease smoothly.
Neurologist Dr Bing warned some of the first signs of the disease, such as personality and mood changes, come on suddenly and are frequently ignored.
In a recent clip, he shared three early indicators of the disease that are easily missed because they seem unrelated to memory loss.
“There are three signs of dementia that people often miss," he declared. “We tend to think of dementia as a memory problem, but it often affects emotions and behaviours first.
Dr Bing shared the warning on his social media platform
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“Someone who was always patient and easygoing might suddenly become irritable, anxious, or even paranoid.
“They might withdraw from social activities, avoid conversations, or lose interest in hobbies they once loved."
While family members often put these changes down to stress, Dr Bing encouraged further investigation if they gradually get worse.
The second telltale sign, according to the neurologist, also gets brushed off as a minor cognitive niggle. It involves difficulty completing everyday tasks.
“Everyone has moments of forgetfulness, but dementia makes familiar activities unexpectedly challenging," Dr Bing noted.
“Maybe a person who used to be great at cooking now struggles to follow a simple recipe. Or someone who always pays the bills on time starts missing payments."
Even routine activities like using a remote control or remembering how to get to a familiar place can become confusing.
“If these struggles happen repeatedly and interfere with daily life, they shouldn’t be ignored,” added Dr Bing.
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Changes in personality warrant investigation if they get progressively worse
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The third warning sign of brain decline on Dr Bing's list is poor judgement or decision-making.
“This isn’t about forgetting something, it’s about making choices that seem out of character or very risky, such as giving away large amounts of money to telemarketers or making unnecessary purchases," he explained.
Other changes can include dressing inappropriately for the weather or forgetting basic hygiene, like skipping showers or wearing the same clothes for days without realising it.
“These changes all happen because dementia affects the brain’s ability to process information and make appropriate decisions," said Dr Bing. “So if you notice any of these signs in a loved one, please don’t ignore them.”
