Alzheimer’s symptoms vary from one person to the next but typically involve issues with memory. For most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the disease only occurs in their mid-60s or later. However, when it develops before this age, it is called early-onset Alzheimer’s, which can begin as early as their 30s. While this form of the disease may be rare, it is still important to recognize its signs and early symptoms. Fraser, a 41-year-old father from Australia, was recently diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s and decided to share his experiences with others. In particular, Fraser shared the first symptoms that initially made him aware that something was wrong with his memory.
Fraser’s First Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Fraser was only diagnosed 10 months ago, yet he says that his symptoms first arose around two and a half years before that. It was around that time that he started to notice some significant flaws concerning his recollection of events. For example, he remembers sitting down to watch a movie with his partner who remarked that they had already watched it the previous month. However, he could not recall having seen it at all and even the ending totally caught him by surprise. He wasn’t even much of an avid movie watcher, so he found it concerning that he couldn’t recall one he had already recently watched. Over time, he started to notice more general concerns with his cognitive abilities, such as being unable to think too long or deeply about anything. Fraser stated, “I find that I have more sort of surface-level thinking, more shallow thinking.”
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Fraser also started to forget what people had said was going on in their lives, like the time his daughter told him she was going to the movie theater. He completely forgot and began to panic when she didn’t answer her phone. He even drove to a town nearby to see if she was perhaps staying at a friend’s place there. Fraser grew so concerned that he was about to contact the police to potentially report her as a missing person. His daughter eventually replied after the movie had finished, reminding her father that she had previously told him that she would be out. He has now put a system in place where his daughters message him if they go out, regardless if they already told him they were. This way, he could check his messages if he couldn’t remember where they were meant to be.
Other Signs of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Forgetting important things, such as where your children said they would be, is not the only sign of this type of Alzheimer’s disease. There are several others you can look out for, many of which are similar to the symptoms of other forms of the disease. One of the signs is constantly asking the same question over and over. Losing track of the date and time is another common early sign. Another common sign is that people tend to forget who they are or how they got to a specific place. This can be particularly distressing to the person and their loved ones, as they often disappear and have no idea where they came from. People with this disease also often have trouble performing basic tasks that require focus, such as following a recipe or tracking bills.
Some individuals also often have issues with vision, such as having trouble with depth perception. They may also forget where they put something or have trouble remembering the sequence of events. Their judgment also grows increasingly poor, they experience personality changes and tend to withdraw from social situations and work. Over time, these symptoms can worsen leading to severe mood swings and even suspicions about loved ones. They can eventually develop issues with talking and swallowing and experience severe memory loss.
The Bottom Line
While early-onset Alzheimer’s is somewhat rare, Fraser’s story emphasizes the necessity of identifying the early warning signs and receiving medical attention if necessary. Early diagnosis can potentially help individuals and their families in preparing, establishing support systems, and exploring therapy choices for symptom management. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early management may slow its course and enhance the patient’s quality of life. Fraser’s own experiences with this disease have shown how anyone can potentially develop early-onset Alzheimer’s, no matter their age. If you are displaying any of the symptoms mentioned above, book an appointment with your health provider as soon as you can.
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