Losing interest in work and socialising

Losing interest in work and socialising
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It’s normal to want to try to balance work and social life, to wish you could spend more time with your family or work fewer hours. But withdrawing from work projects or social activities you used to enjoy – for instance, losing interest in a sports team you once followed religiously – could be a sign of early Alzheimer’s disease and depression. A feeling of apathy or a loss of interest in once-favourite hobbies is also a sign, suggests the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

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Friends and relatives are concerned

Friends and relatives are concerned
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People with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease may not recognise their decline – but those closest to them could notice changes. “If a loved one expresses concern, says that you seem really different, is worried that something is going on, that’s a legitimate basis for a medical evaluation,” says Dr Tariot. Don’t dismiss these concerns, since they may be the key to getting an early diagnosis, along with early treatment that perhaps can slow the progression of cognitive changes.

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You have a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s

You have a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s
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This is the biggest risk factor. “Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease has a very strong genetic component,” explains Dr Stephen Rao, a neuropsychologist, chair and director of the Schey Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at the Cleveland Clinic. “If your parent or another close relative had early-onset, you should probably be tested – neuropsychologically tested, but also genetically tested, as there are some definitive genetic markers.”

The good news is that early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is much rarer than late-onset. Most people worried about memory and other cognitive issues before age 65 are probably just experiencing normal ageing changes. And when there is some cognitive impairment, it’s likely to be due to reasons other than early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, such as medical conditions, emotional problems like depression or stress, sleep impairment, or medication side effects.

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Source: RD.com

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