Depression or dementia? Why these two conditions often get misdiagnosed
<p><em><strong>Marissa Sandler is the CEO and co-founder of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.careseekers.com.au/" target="_blank">Careseekers</a></span>. Previously a social justice lawyer and researcher for over 15 years, Marissa is passionate about helping people live with dignity and finding innovative solutions to problems.</strong></em></p>
<p>When an elderly parent begins to be withdrawn, forgetful, moody and lacking initiative, families often jump to the conclusion that their loved one has the first signs of dementia.</p>
<p>A quick simple search on “Dr Google” and anyone will think they have diagnosed dementia. Its symptoms are wide, varying and include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Memory loss that affects day-to-day function</li>
<li>Weight loss</li>
<li>Problems misplacing things</li>
<li>Changes in personality or behaviour</li>
<li>A loss of initiative</li>
</ul>
<p>Although dementia is a common condition amongst an ageing population it is important to take stock of what else is going on for the elderly person before diagnosing dementia. Mental health issues like depression may present many of same symptoms as dementia. So it is important to consider the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Has the person recently lost their spouse? Or close friends? Relatives or acquaintances?</li>
<li>Is the person having enough contact with other people in a week? Loneliness can be a common cause of depression.</li>
<li>Has the person recently retired from work or had to cut down on other activities due to illness?</li>
</ul>
<p>Harry tells of his experience of thinking his mother was suffering from dementia when it turned out to be a mild form of depression.</p>
<p>“When mum started to forget things and start snapping at us more than often we all immediately thought oh no, it’s the start of dementia. She started not wanting to go out, see her friends and was very absent minded. Once I called and she didn’t even know what day it was.</p>
<p>We took her to the GP and he started asking us about her week, what her life used to be like and what it was now. The minute he started talking about this the penny dropped. Mum had been attending bridge four times a week but since losing her license she could only get a lift once a week. This meant she was at home alone all day every day which was obviously getting her down; without a set routine, she started to stop having to keep track of her diary and appointments and this is what was making her absent minded, not dementia!</p>
<p>We arranged for someone to take her to her bridge games and suddenly her mood lifted, she was looking in her diary, knew what day it was and wasn’t at all forgetful, she even started calling us up and arranging to meet us for lunch. She was like a different lady.”</p>
<p>Harry’s tips for other children who are worried that their parents have dementia are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Look at what has changed in your parent’s life recently.</strong> Has there been a big trauma, like losing a spouse or close friend or negative change to their routine e.g. not being able to get out and about as much</li>
<li><strong>Think about your parent’s emotional history.</strong> Are they usually a very positive person or are they actually prone to down periods?</li>
<li><strong>Make sure you pop into your parents more often as they get older.</strong> As their bodies get more fragile they may not be out and about as much and seeing as many people. Even a daily phone call can make all the difference.</li>
<li><strong>Run it past a GP.</strong> It may be dementia and it may be depression or it may be a combination but it is best to let a GP know there has been a change in your parent’s mental state, whatever the cause.</li>
</ul>
<p>Have you experienced anything like this in your family? Share your tips in the comments below. </p>
