Signs of early onset dementia

Early-onset dementia refers to dementia symptoms that begin before older age. A person may repeat questions, lose track of bills or appointments, struggle with familiar routes, or find words and conversations harder to follow. Changes in judgement, personality, motivation, or work performance can be prominent. Memory problems are one possible presentation of dementia, but stress, depression, poor sleep, medication effects, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiency, and other illnesses can cause similar difficulties.

Symptoms usually affect everyday function and persist or progress rather than appearing only during a brief period of confusion. Urinary incontinence is not, by itself, a diagnosis of dementia and needs its own assessment.

Arrange a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) when changes are repeated, interfere with work or home responsibilities, or concern family members. Bring a dated list of examples, current medicines, sleep changes, mood symptoms, and relevant family history. The clinician may check physical health, memory, mood, vision, hearing, and blood tests, then decide whether specialist assessment is useful. Involve the person in planning and discuss driving, finances, and workplace support sensitively.

Sudden confusion, weakness on one side, trouble speaking, a severe headache, a seizure, or a rapid change in alertness needs emergency care because it may signal stroke, infection, or another acute problem. Seek prompt help for wandering into danger, inability to eat or drink, falls, or thoughts of self-harm. Gradual changes still deserve a timely appointment, even when the person remains independent.

Ask which changes are clinically significant, what reversible causes should be checked, whether a [Mental Health Assessment](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/mental-health-assessment/) is appropriate, and how to support work, driving, and future planning.