The early signs of dementia at 41 that had nothingt to do with memory,
Dementia is often described as a memory-robbing condition, but for a father-of-one who was diagnosed at just 41-years-old, the disease is ‘so much more’ than just forgetfulness.
Fraser, a teacher and researcher from Australia, said the subtle symptoms he experienced began in his late thirties—three decades earlier than the average onset.
While the disease is most commonly associated with older people, young-onset dementia—where patients are given the devastating diagnosis before the age of 65—is known to be on the rise.
Now, in a heartbreaking YouTube video, the father-of-one has shared his unique experience of the early stages of the disease, and the warning signs every young person should be aware of.
He said the features of the disease he never expected include difficulty speaking in the evenings and not wanting to leave the house or socialise.
‘My brain has just had enough’, said Fraser.
It is not uncommon for patients to suffer personality changes as the disease progresses, which can make them appear rude or insensitive, according to experts.
In Fraser’s case, the young father became more ‘selfish’ and ‘stopped following through on his word’.
But one of the biggest things he has learnt through his journey is that mental health really matters.
‘You will get anxious and depressed and need help getting through it. But, reducing stress will have a bigger impact than you think’, he said.
At a time when most people are trying to juggle work, family and social commitments, it’s not unusual to feel stressed.
But, research has found, it could raise the risk of developing the brain disease by as much as 24 per cent.
Experts do not yet understand the mechanisms behind this association, but one theory is that stress is likely to increase the risk of depression, which could be a red-flag sign for upcoming cognitive decline.
Fraser said in the video that one of the earliest tell-tale signs of his condition was language problems.
But it wasn’t until Fraser started noticing that his thoughts felt more ‘surface level’ than usual that the alarm bells began to ring.
Then, he began struggling with everyday tasks that he would usually do without thinking, as if on autopilot—such as turning off the shower and planning his day.
‘A fog just comes over your brain and you just can’t really focus on things very well, and you’re in a haze,’ he said.
Following his life-changing diagnosis, Fraser now wants to raise better awareness for the disease, as he battles with these increasingly exhausting symptoms.
Molly Murray, an expert in young-onset dementia from the University of West Scotland said: ‘The misunderstanding that dementia is a disease of older adults leaves people with young-onset dementia fighting to be heard.
‘Rarer dementias are also linked to atypical symptoms, which often go missed. This prolongs the diagnostic journey,’ she added.
Fraser said that one of the biggest challenges he faces is the highs and lows of the disease.
He said: ‘Some months you will have less foggy days and you will learn new things easier than you thought.
‘You will be certain you have it and certain you do not have it.’
This can lead patients diagnosed with the heartbreaking disease to ‘downplay’ and ‘exaggerate’ their symptoms, prolonging the diagnostic journey.
Ms Murray added that part of the challenge in diagnosing early-onset dementia is that many of the potential symptoms of the disease can also be attributed to other problems, such as a period of burnout or stress.
But getting a timely diagnosis is considered critical at any age, as while the condition is incurable, treatments can combat symptoms and sometimes slow progression.
The latest figures show almost 71,000 people in Britain are currently battling young-onset dementia (when the condition strikes under the age of 65), accounting for around 7.5 per cent of all dementia cases.
This is a rise of 69 per cent from figures recorded in 2014.
Scientists are not yet sure what is driving the surge but believe it may be due to the same factors causing an uptick in condition in all ages.
These include increasing rates of obesity, poor diets and greater awareness of the condition.
Analysis by the Alzheimer’s Society estimates that the overall annual cost of the dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt.
An ageing population means these costs – which include lost earnings of unpaid carers – are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years.
Around 944,000 in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, while the figure is thought to be around seven million in the US.
Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time.
Alzheimer’s Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country’s biggest killer.
