{"id":94531,"date":"2025-05-12T05:18:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T05:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/94531\/"},"modified":"2025-05-12T05:18:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T05:18:11","slug":"two-early-signs-of-dementia-that-are-not-memory-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/94531\/","title":{"rendered":"Two early signs of dementia that are not memory loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. While memory loss is a common early sign of the condition, other symptoms can manifest in the initial stages.<\/p>\n<p>02:49, 12 May 2025Updated 02:52, 12 May 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3_gettyimages-2024912859-612x612.jpg\" alt=\"Senior woman has headache, feeling dizzy after waking up. Elderly woman in pyjamas sitting on bed, holding her head. \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Memory loss is not the only sign of dementia <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">An expert has warned that early signs of dementia can often manifest in subtle ways, which are frequently overlooked. Leading neurologist Dr Tim Rittman emphasises that changes in mood and behaviour can be among the first indicators of the condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">These shifts may be mistaken for normal ageing or stress, but they could be signalling an underlying cognitive decline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Dr Rittman specifically highlights persistent low mood and increased anxiety as common early symptoms of dementia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">People might experience feelings of sadness or discomfort without a clear reason. These emotional changes can impact daily life and social interactions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">It&#8217;s crucial to understand that such mood disturbances aren&#8217;t solely linked to dementia and can be symptoms of other conditions, reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getsurrey.co.uk\/news\/health\/dementia-symptoms-signs-low-mood-31596509\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Surrey Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/i-learned-early-onset-dementia-35207922\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;I learned I had early-onset dementia at 54 &#8211; now I make every day count through my bucket list&#8217;<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/chris-kamara-reveals-heartfelt-apology-35207709\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Sports legend Chris Kamara reveals heartfelt &#8216;apology&#8217; to wife after dark period<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">However, when these occur alongside other cognitive changes, they merit further investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Identifying these early signs is vital, as early intervention can lead to better management of the disease.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_gettyimages-647653954-612x612.jpg\" alt=\"Senior Man Suffering From Depression Looking Out Of Window\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Senior Man Suffering From Depression Looking Out Of Window<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent low mood or anxiety, particularly if it&#8217;s accompanied by memory lapses or confusion, it&#8217;s recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">A comprehensive assessment can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate course of action. Addressing these symptoms early can enhance quality of life and provide access to necessary support and resources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Symptoms of dementia, as outlined by the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nhs\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Memory loss<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Difficulty concentrating<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Being confused about time and place<\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 ENBBt\">Mood changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_gettyimages-1786372731-612x612.jpg\" alt=\"Coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a normal human brain\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a normal human brain<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">While dementia is often characterised by memory loss, it&#8217;s crucial to recognise other early signs like low mood and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Taking action and seeking medical help when these symptoms emerge can have a substantial impact.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Recognising the full range of early symptoms enables prompt intervention and improved results.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">If you&#8217;re worried about dementia, don&#8217;t delay in contacting a healthcare professional for advice and assistance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. While memory loss is a common early&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":94532,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[231,425,105,218,211,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-94531","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-alzheimers-disease","9":"tag-dementia","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-mental-health","12":"tag-nhs","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114493174917267444","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94531"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94531\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}