Dementia symptom that occurs in 30s: Many people fail to realize the danger

The first signs of FTD often begin with changes in behavior. People may suddenly become rude or aggressive, have difficulty communicating, or begin to exhibit risky and impulsive behaviors. These symptoms are often confused with other health problems or are interpreted as a temporary mood disorder, which can delay proper diagnosis and intervention.

Australian businessman Paul Little has highlighted the serious consequences of failing to diagnose FTD patients in a timely and accurate manner. Little told the Financial Times:

“We have patients diagnosed with FTD at age 29, and that’s not uncommon. It’s often confused with bipolar disorder or a midlife crisis because behavioral symptoms can be prominent. The person can become addicted to alcohol, get into trouble with the police, and receive inappropriate treatment through misdirection.”

Little says there is no cure for FTD yet, and the disease not only destroys the patient but everyone around them. “As the disease progresses, the person can no longer work. Family caregivers are forced to quit their jobs. This causes great devastation, both financially and emotionally,” he said.

According to Alzheimer's Society figures, around 70,800 people under the age of 65 in the UK are living with young-onset dementia. The causes are similar to those in older people. While plaques and tangles form in brain cells in Alzheimer's, problems with blood flow to the brain (mostly due to heart disease) are at the forefront in vascular dementia.

FTD is a rarer form of dementia, affecting around 16,000 people in the UK. It causes cell loss in the front and side areas of the brain, which can lead to serious changes in an individual’s behaviour, social relationships and self-care.

Although the progression of the disease varies from person to person, the average life expectancy after diagnosis ranges from 2 to 12 years.

A study examining GP records in England in 2022 found a 69 per cent increase in cases of young-onset dementia compared with 2014. The rise highlights how the disease is affecting more and more people and how crucial early diagnosis is.