Is forgetfulness and dementia the same thing? If you’ve been feeling recently forgetful, you may have
wondered if you have early signs of dementia.
It’s a common question. But there is no one-size-fits-all answer: Many people with memory loss experience it differently, and their symptoms can vary depending on which type of dementia they have.
And forgetting things could be normal for some people at any age; it doesn’t mean that you’re dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or something else serious.
Dementia is a larger umbrella term than Alzheimer’s disease, and includes many types of progressive brain diseases.
In fact, dementia encompasses all cognitive disorders that result in memory loss and other signs of poor brain function.
These can include losing one’s ability to perform daily tasks such as paying bills or remembering where you put your keys, as well as having trouble finding words or thinking clearly.
Dementia symptoms may vary depending on the type of dementia you have and its severity: for
example, Alzheimer’s disease can cause severe personality changes; vascular dementia affects
language skills; Lewy body dementia causes visual hallucinations; frontotemporal lobar degeneration
(FTLD) often involves rapid mood swings and inappropriate social behavior. Signs may include:
- Forgetting names of loved ones.
- Frequently getting lost in familiar locations.
- Constant repletion.
- Forgetting names of everyday objects.
Forgetfulness on the other hand is common, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia.
Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. It’s estimated that more than half of all people experience
some degree of forgetfulness, even if it’s only for a moment or two.
However, forgetfulness doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia—it can be caused by stress or lack of sleep and depression. The cause may also be physical problems like low thyroid levels that affect your brain function. Signs of forgetfulness include:
- Forgetting where you left basic things.
- Forgetting important details of recent conversations.
- Tip of the tongue’ phenomena.
- Forgetting your appointments and where they are meant to take place.
Many people with dementia experience the same symptoms, but they affect each person differently.
Some people may have fewer or milder symptoms than others.
Dementia isn’t always permanent—some people will recover from it with time or treatment—but it’s
important for doctors to know how much you’re affected so they can determine whether further
testing is needed before moving forward with treatment options for your specific symptoms
When it comes to memory care and assisted living, you don’t have to choose
between one or the other.
The good news is that your memory loss doesn’t have to be a big deal. If you’re experiencing
forgetfulness and are not sure if it’s related to dementia, don’t make the mistake of assuming so.
It’s best to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and get tested for both conditions. You may find
that one or both are present in your case, or there could be something else going on entirely – but
it’s important not discounting your concerns as just a normal part of aging!