Dementia myths that delay diagnosis

Can’t remember what you needed to buy when out for grocery shopping? Or need a minute to pinpoint the immediate neighbor’s name? When someone forgets where they put their keys or momentarily draws a blank on a name, it’s tempting to shrug it off as “just the perils of getting older”. But sometimes, these slips and misses can hint at something far more serious: the early signs of dementia.Dementia, a common and disabling disease that affects the brain, occurs when brain cells are damaged or die, leading to progressive declines in cognitive functions, mood, behavior, and personality. It’s an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that worsen over time, and it remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges. There are currently over 55 million people with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases of dementia developing each year. The number of people with dementia is growing worldwide and is expected to triple by 2050.Although this neurodegenerative disorder has become quite common now, many people still end up being the victims of delayed diagnosis, because they believe harmful myths — myths that can cost precious time. Delayed diagnosis reduces opportunities for early support, treatment, and planning. In fact, studies show that the average gap between first symptoms and a formal diagnosis of dementia is about 3.5 years, and often even longer for those with younger-onset forms.Here, in this article, we unpack the most common misconceptions about dementia — from thinking it’s merely “old-age memory loss” to believing that nothing can be done once a diagnosis is made. Why is it important to be aware of the myths and misconceptions? So that we stay vigilant enough to recognize the early symptoms, and not brush them off as signs of “getting older.”

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