We often think of someone who has dementia as being old, possibly nearing the end of their life. But is this the reality? Actually, there is a condition referred to as working-age dementia. This can develop as early as 30, and if you find that shocking, you’re not alone. It’s scary to think that your mental health could begin to deteriorate this early on. It’s more common than people think too. According to a recent report, around 200,000 Americans have early onset dementia. That’s why it is worth knowing the signs that there could be an issue with your mental health.
Forgetfulness and Early Onset Dementia
There are plenty of people that have this issue occasionally. You walk into a room, and suddenly you have no idea why you walked in there. It’s usually because you weren’t actually paying that much attention to what you were thinking about, so the thought remained in your short term memory and by the time you reached the room, it slipped away. That’s not the scientific explanation, but it’s quite close to the truth.
However, if you find that your forgetfulness is becoming more common, you may want to get checked for signs of dementia. It’s quite possible early onset dementia is starting to develop.
Other signs might be forgetting names, even briefly or having periods where you lose all focus and drift completely. This is a little different from daydreaming as people won’t often realize it’s happening. You’ll have to rely on someone else to tell you that you are drifting in and out of focus.
Okay, So What Can I Do?
If you think you do have the first signs of dementia, there’s a lot you can do. You might want to consider supplements like Neuro Clarity. Supplements like this stimulate brain power and give you clearer thoughts and more focus. As such, they can fight back against the signs of dementia.
Or, you could consider stimulating your mind more with activities. Anything from word searches to reading could be the trick here. You just want to try and avoid sitting doing nothing or watching TV. Any form of passive entertainment isn’t really giving your mind much of a workout at all unless, of course, you’re thinking while watching it.
You might also want to change your diet. A lot of research has shown that diet is linked to dementia and the progression of the disease. By providing your body with more antioxidants, you can fight early onset dementia more effectively and ensure that the disease does not progress at a rapid pace.
Hope on the Horizon
It can be incredibly frightening to think that you could be developing the first stages of dementia. However, it is worth pointing out that medicine evolves every day. Right now, there are test trials for a drug that could theoretically stop dementia from developing completely. It really is only a matter of time before we find a permanent solution to this condition and make sure that people don’t lose who they are before they even reach forty.
It’s a shock to me that it can develop that early. As someone in my early 30s, I try to be mindful of my decline so that I can catch early warning signs before they’re too late. Thanks for this tip – it’s definitely worth getting checked out.
Spot on regarding brain health, scary to think we could start developing it so young. Excellent post as always Christy x
Thanks Dawn ((hugs))
Its really important to listen to our body …
Exactly! Being in tune with our bodies can enable early detection of a lot of things… Thanks Mich
Frightening statistic Christy. It’s so imperative to keep our minds active as we age. And I’ll just add, that old ‘walk in a room and forget what you came for’ is also a brainfart moment part of menopause, lol. :) xx
Dementia is such a terrible disease, not only for the afflicted, but for all close by. Such a sad way to lose a loved one. Hopefully one day a prevention, or cure, will be found.
A cure would be amazing, Norah <3
Indeed!
Thanx for the insight. even thinking about dementia sends chill down the spine.
Hi Sharat, it’s great that you read the article given it’s not a subject you embrace. This means that you’ll be armed with the knowledge to read the signs if it should happen to you or someone you know. In this way, you will benefit :)
Indeed
Very interesting facts, Christy. Lately it seems I’ve been hearing more and more cases of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Some studies show another possible contributor can be not getting enough sleep.
Thanks Jill for pointing out that some research points to sleep as a potential factor in early deterioration of brain health. I’m seeing a lot of sleep-deprived people so this means yet another reason to make getting enough zzz’s a priority!
My best friends Mom got this. Thanks for the read. As sad as it can be and as terrible as the disease is, I enjoyed reading your post.
You had to know this one was gonna’ catch MY attention, Christy :) Nice one!
Your suggestions about what we can DO are especially important since some of the more recent studies indicate that it takes DECADES for full blown dementias to develop, so with that in mind “early onset” is simply at the far end of what happens.
We ALL need to do whatever we can to guard our brain-health – maybe even more diligently than we guard our physical health otherwise.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie)
I KNEW you’d be here but what I didn’t know was whether you’d stand behind all suggestions, Madelyn, and it’s great that you DO back the post ~ That’s such a great feeling! I’m nodding at what you wrote about guarding our brain health as much as our physical health. Hopefully one day the mental stigma will be gone and that process will be even easier for many people. Hugs!
Really! Who could disagree with anything in it? ALL great advice.
Here-HERE on the day when stigma is no longer among us. Let it come SOON!
xx,
mgh
SOON is a great time to see that happen :) Aww you are A for awesome xo
There are many folks stepping up to help the Hurricane-hit, so I take that as a sign.
xx,
mgh
Thanks for the follow and great, informative post. I find myself constantly saying ” wait what was I doing” and then have to retrace my steps. Who knew it could happen as early as 30.
Early detection is definitely a plus.
So true. And that means being aware of our bodies – truly listening to them. Have a nice Friday, Syl :)
You right. We have to listen to our bodies and not be afraid to see a doctor when something doesn’t feel right. Have a nice Friday and weekend, Christy 😊
Exactly! It often IS fear that keeps the dr. visits as bay.. Thanks for understanding and for taking time here, Syl. Awww a happy day and weekend to you too :) I’ll be dancing tonight!
Have fun dancing (I know I’m late) Always a pleasure :)
It is really good to know that dementia drugs are at trial phase now. Early detection and the medicines will hopefully someday give hopes to millions.
Shared on Twitter, Facebook, and StumbleUpon. Have a wonderful evening.
Thank you for the shares and for your comment xx I do hope a cure is found soon…
Fascinating post, Christy. The statistics of early onset are baffling. My husband’s mom was in the early/middle stages for the last two years of her life. This was 16 years ago and my first experience seeing how fragmented life can become. Science is close, I think. There has to be a cure on the horizon. Thanks so much for sharing. :)
Natalie, thank you for sharing the experience with your husband’s mom… that’s tough to watch and my hope is that one day a cure is found… May my hug find you and your family xx
Thanks, Christy! You share fantastic articles and stories. I’m dropping by soon for a longer stay. So many fabulous, insightful shares! Wishing you an awesome weekend! :)