Dementia occurs due to brain cell damage and often presents symptoms such as severe memory loss and diminished judgment. Normal forgetfulness is a part of the aging process and appears when there are occasional memory lapses. Here is more information about the differences between the two conditions:
Frequency and Severity
A patient with dementia may repeatedly forget details, such as appointments, names of loved ones, or their address. As this disease progresses, it becomes difficult for individuals to remember familiar places or communicate properly. In advanced stages, patients may need a caregiver to take care of them because their physical health may deteriorate. As people age, many experience some form of memory lapse, also known as forgetfulness. This may include forgetting where you placed your car keys, phone, or TV remote, but you can find them once you focus.
Impact on Daily Life
With serious mental deterioration, it may become challenging for someone to perform common tasks and live independently. Due to confusion, poor judgment, or a lack of recognition, it can be hard to cook meals, go grocery shopping, or pay bills. With dementia, patients may need frequent reminders for dressing, eating, or taking medications with the help of family members or caregivers. With normal forgetfulness, it’s easy to solve these problems eventually on your own or with minimal help. It doesn’t always impact decision-making, social interactions, or responsibilities, so people can continue living their normal, independent lives.
Mood and Behavior Changes
As dementia progresses, people may experience mood swings, such as shifting from calm to angry easily. They may also feel hopeless and withdraw from social activities, isolating themselves from the rest of the world. Even in familiar settings or with loved ones, patients may show anger and frustration by lashing out verbally. During a bout of forgetfulness, individuals may feel frustrated or mildly stressed when they can’t remember something, but these emotions can be short-lived. Many people with normal forgetfulness continue to engage socially with family, friends, and colleagues instead of isolating themselves.
Cognitive Skills
When mental function deteriorates, it becomes more difficult to organize thoughts, think logically, or understand concepts. As this worsens, patients might be unable to solve problems or follow instructions. They also might not concentrate on one task for a long period because they get distracted easily. Individuals may struggle to find the right words, speak in incomplete sentences, or repeat themselves while talking to loved ones. In forgetfulness, it’s easy to analyze situations and make decisions based on their experiences instead of dealing with impaired thinking. If they forget how to solve a problem, they can try multiple times or seek a reminder to help them find a solution.
Get Help for Dementia
If you have severe mental deterioration, a doctor can review your medical history and all your symptoms to help diagnose the issue. A medical provider can prescribe medication and suggest different types of therapies to help lessen the symptoms. To manage this health condition, call a trusted clinic today to find out more about diagnosis and treatment.