A GP has cautioned that what many people dismiss as a midlife crisis or relationship strain may in some cases be an early sign of dementia, and urged anyone noticing unexplained changes to consult their doctor rather than waiting for memory problems to appear.
Warning on non-memory symptoms
Dr Dominic Greenyer, of the Health Suite in Leicester, told patients and families to be alert to shifts in personality and visuospatial skills that can appear long before the well-known memory problems associated with dementia.
“An assessment is not a diagnosis, it's simply the first step, and it can rule something out just as easily as it can confirm it.”
He said that because public awareness is focused on memory loss, other symptoms are sometimes overlooked. By the time families connect changes in behaviour with the possibility of dementia, months or even years can have elapsed, he warned.
Symptoms that may be missed
Dr Greenyer pointed out that different forms of dementia affect different parts of the brain and therefore present with different early signs. For example, in frontotemporal dementia personality changes often precede memory problems.
- Acting out of character or making inappropriate comments
- Acting on impulse and reduced concern for consequences
- Loss of interest in previously valued activities
- Anxiety, irritability and mood swings
- Problems with visuospatial skills (difficulty judging distances, getting lost in familiar places)
The doctor emphasised that those kinds of changes are often attributed to stress, relationship difficulties or a midlife phase, which can delay referral for assessment.
Practical steps and context
Those who notice sustained, unexplained changes in themselves or a family member are advised to speak to their GP and request a dementia assessment. As Dr Greenyer noted, an assessment can both identify potential dementia and exclude other causes.
There are more than 100 different types of dementia, each with its own pattern of early symptoms depending on which brain regions are affected. Early assessment can open up access to support, symptom management and planning for the future.
| Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| See your GP | Initiates assessment to confirm or rule out dementia |
| Note changes | Provides clinicians with examples of behaviour and timing |
| Involve family | Family observations can reveal patterns the person may not notice |
Local families should be reassured that asking for an assessment does not immediately mean a diagnosis; it is an essential first step that can lead to clearer answers and access to appropriate services.
Health services across Surrey and the wider region offer assessment pathways through GPs and memory clinics. Anyone concerned about symptoms should contact their GP practice to discuss the next steps.
Professionals emphasise the importance of vigilance and early help-seeking: recognising the less familiar signs of dementia could shorten delays in diagnosis and improve the care and support people receive.
