Most people might think dementia only happens to older adults. But a doctor who has treated very young patients says that isn’t always true. Some people in their 20s and 30s can show early signs of dementia — and these signs are often missed.
The doctor, Nick Fox, is a leading expert in early-onset dementia. That’s when dementia begins before age 65. In his 30 years of work, he’s even treated someone as young as 23 years old with the disease.
In a piece for The Telegraph, Fox has shared several early warning signs we should be aware of.
Losing Motivation
It’s normal to feel unmotivated sometimes. But if someone suddenly seems stopped in life for a long time — even when others try to help — that could be a sign. People with some types of early dementia may lose their drive or “get up and go.”
“Our frontal lobes are important for motivation, so people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may simply not want to do anything at all, even if someone else organises it for them,” Fox explained.
Changes in Personality
Sometimes the first signs aren’t about memory at all — they’re about how someone acts. According to the doctor:
- A person might start wearing very bright or unusual clothes.
- They might stick to strict routines.
- They could become fixated on a certain food, TV show, or activity.
These changes may appear unusual and concerning to friends or family.
Fox explained: “Someone might start wearing unusually bright clothes, develop rigid routines, or become obsessed with certain foods, activities or television programmes.”
A Drop in Empathy
Another sign the doctor mentions is when someone suddenly seems less caring about others’ feelings. People with early dementia may stop noticing emotional cues or have trouble understanding how others feel.
One story the doctor shared was about a partner who didn’t even notice their loved one was upset and in tears — and simply walked past them.
“One woman told me she was finding it so hard to cope with becoming a carer in her 30s that she had been sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing. Her once very caring partner simply stepped over her to get to the washing machine,” Dr Fox explained.
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