A neurologist has highlighted a “common” warning sign of dementia that could be “distressing” to family and friends. This change in behaviour is linked to a disruption of the frontal lobe and can make the affected person seem completely “out of character”.
Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of associated symptoms, linked to the ongoing decline of the brain. Most common in people over the age of 65, it can lead to issues with memory, behaviour, and even mobility.
While there is no cure, getting a diagnosis sooner rather than later can ensure the affected person is able to get the treatment and support they need. With this in mind, a brain specialist urged people to be aware of a specific symptom.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, Doctor Baibing Chen warned of disinhibition. The expert, who is better known online as Dr Bing, explained: “Here’s one common symptom that we see in patients with dementia and that is this disinhibition.
“This means the inability to control one’s impulses or behaviours often leading to actions that are not appropriate for a situation. Examples of this can include things like making inappropriate sexual advances, making rude or hurtful comments, talking to strangers as if they’re close acquaintances or being impulsive and giving away all of one’s savings.”
He advised that these behaviours can be “very distressing” for family members and caregivers because they may seem “entirely out of character” for the individual. However, he noted that this symptom doesn’t necessarily point to dementia.
He continued: “And while this disinhibition is commonly associated with certain types of dementias like frontotemporal dementia, it is not specific to these conditions. What the symptom points to is that there is a disruption of the frontal lobe, which plays a critical role in impulse control, social behaviour and decision making.
“This is why similar symptoms can occur in individuals with other conditions affecting the frontal lobe such as strokes, focal seizures, traumatic brain injuries, or tumours in this region.” Dr Bing clarified that there are steps you should take if someone you known is experiencing this symptom.
He added: “There are certain things that caregivers and family members can do to address disinhibited behaviours in a compassionate and effective way. This includes educating family and friends about the underlying causes of these behaviours, staying calm and patient, which helps to escalate situations, avoiding arguments or shaming is important because, remember that, these behaviours or symptoms of the disease, not deliberate choices, and modifying the environment to reduce potential triggers.”
The NHS lists common early warning signs of dementia as:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Being confused about time and place
- Mood changes
If you spot any of these signs in yourself or a loved one you should speak to a GP.