Dementia and your mental health

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, which affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.
Mental health disorders take many different forms and affect people in different ways. Schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders are all examples of mental health problems. Diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia generally develop in old age, whereas eating disorders are more common in young people. The symptoms to look out for are:

• Loss of memory
• Mood changes
• Problems with communication and reasoning

As a result, those affected by Dementia may become apathetic and have problems controlling their emotions. They may also behave inappropriately and aspects of their personality may change. They may become less empathetic and may start to have hallucinations and start to hold views and beliefs that may become difficult to challenge. There are three types of Dementia:

• Alzheimer's disease: the most common type of dementia, it usually affects older people (65 years of age). It is characterized by a gradual decline in memory.
• Vascular dementia: which can be caused by blockages in small blood vessels in the brain, and is characterized by slowness of thinking and overall mobility.
• Dementia with Lewy bodies: This type of Dementia sometimes manifests as physical symptoms similar to those found in Parkinson's disease. Such as tremors and slowness of movement, memory loss and sleep disturbances.

If you believe that you, your spouse or a family relative exhibits these symptoms, please contact the surgery to see a doctor. For more detailed information on symptoms please go to Dementia and Alzheimers.

Alzheimer's Society

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.

Useful Links

Alzheimer’s Society
Comprehensive information for people with all forms of dementia. Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mental Health Foundation
Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.