First, let’s define dementia. Dementia is a chronic loss of cognitive functioning that interferes with a person’s daily life. This includes the ability to think, reason, and remember.
Geriatric Psychiatrists Can Diagnose Dementia With Different Types
The common types of dementia include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Mixed dementia (a combination of two or more types of dementia)
Common Dementia Symptoms
Sign 1: Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities,
Sign 2: Difficulty performing familiar tasks – cooking, managing bills, taking longer to complete tasks, etc.
Sign 3: Difficulty speaking, understanding, and expressing thoughts, or reading/writing
Sign 4: Disorientation to time and place, confusion, wandering, and getting lost
Sign 5: Poor judgment
Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking
Sign 7: Misplacing things, forgetting where you put things
Sign 8: Changes in mood, behavior, and personality- being impulsive, not caring about others’ feelings
Sign 9: Withdrawal from social activity, losing interest
Sign 10: Loss of initiative
If you experience several of these symptoms, it may be time to get evaluated.
Quick Guide to Dementia Memory Test
Upon the physician’s evaluation of your current symptoms and medical history, you may have to undergo any of these diagnostic tests for a more accurate diagnosis:
- Physical examination, including urine and blood tests
- Cognitive tests (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) screening)
- Laboratory tests (B12 serum level, complete blood count, TSH/thyroid hormone level, complete metabolic panel/heavy metal screening)
- Brain imaging techniques (usually via MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan)
- Genetic testing
For more information about dementia memory tests, read our guide here: How To Test for Dementia: Screening Guide for Dementia
Remember that diagnosing dementia and related mental health disorders like Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible is important to prevent them from progressing. If you or a loved one is showing early signs of dementia, please don’t hesitate to seek professional help from your primary care provider.