Dementia: Signs, types, causes, and treatment

Reviewed by Susan Radzilowski, MSW, LMSW, ACSW

Written by

therapist.com team

Last updated: 05/30/2024

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What is dementia?

Dementia is a group of symptoms characterized by a decline in mental function. It’s often associated with forgetfulness, but it involves more than memory issues. As it progresses, it disrupts many areas of daily life, deeply affecting a person’s sense of self or even making it impossible for them to care for themselves.

Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).¹ Many people who have it are elderly, but the symptoms can have an earlier onset.

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s disease

The term “dementia” describes cognitive decline that interferes with everyday life. Different neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease, can cause it. However, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, causing 60% to 80% of all cases.²

Dementia symptoms

Dementia has many causes, and its symptoms can vary from person to person.³ Depending on the person, dementia may look like:

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Difficulty communicating
• Getting lost often, even in familiar places
• Trouble with planning and organization
• Difficulty problem-solving
• Trouble managing money
• Repetitive statements
• Impulse control problems

These symptoms may start out mild and worsen dramatically over time. Eventually, cognitive decline can progress to the point that a person can no longer recognizes their surroundings or loved ones. Speak to a doctor if you notice symptoms of dementia in yourself or a loved one.

Types of dementia

There are several types of dementia, each with its own set of causes and characteristics.⁴ Some of the most common types include:

Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, resulting from buildups and changes within the brain.

Vascular dementia: Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to a stroke, injury, or other vascular issues. Symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually become worse over time.

Lewy body dementia: Caused by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. It shares similarities with Parkinson’s disease and may cause visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and fluctuating cognitive abilities.

Frontotemporal dementia: Affects the frontal and temporal anterior lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language skills. It often strikes at a younger age compared to other types of dementia.

Mixed dementia: In which a person presents with a combination of two or more types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

What causes dementia?

Dementia has many different causes, including diseases that affect the brain and other medical issues.⁵ Doctors don’t yet know what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but they’ve identified several risk factors that include family history and age.⁶ They also suspect environmental factors and lifestyle choices may influence the disease’s onset. 

Is dementia hereditary?

Certain types of dementia are more hereditary than others. For example, early-onset Alzheimer’s is more likely to be genetically passed on than later-developing types.⁷ Similarly, with frontotemporal dementia approximately 30% of people diagnosed have a strong family history.⁸ 

Risk factors for dementia

The risk factors for dementia are broad, but not everyone who has these risks will develop symptoms. Some risks, like older age and family history, can’t be changed. But risk factors you may have more control over include:⁹

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol use

How to prevent dementia

In general, you can reduce your overall risk for dementia by: 

• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Not smoking
• Getting adequate sleep
• Keeping your mind active
• Refraining from drinking too much alcohol

Dementia stages

There are many types of dementia, meaning the way it progresses will likely look different depending on the diagnosis and the person. Generally speaking, we can talk about the way dementia develops in three stages. The symptoms of each stage occur as damage to the brain progresses.

The stages of dementia include:¹⁰

Early stage dementia: A person with early stage dementia is still independent. Their loved ones may notice mild changes in behavior, like losing things or struggling with organization, but they can still take care of themselves safely.

Middle stage dementia: People who advance to middle stage dementia experience more symptoms that significantly impact their daily life. At this stage, a person may become confused and have changes in their sleep patterns. They may become unpredictable and behave uncharacteristically. Once someone progresses to this stage, they need a higher level of care to help keep them from getting hurt or lost.

Late stage dementia: In this final stage, a person requires extensive, frequent care. They have difficulty communicating and remembering people and things. In addition to declining cognitive function, people in late-stage dementia also lose control of their movements and are susceptible to infections.  

It’s important to seek the professional advice of a doctor as soon as possible if you believe you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of dementia. Do not wait until symptoms progress to seek help.

How is dementia diagnosed?

Doctors use brain scans, blood tests, mental status exams, and other measurements to arrive at a dementia diagnosis. Tests that doctors might order if they suspect dementia include: 

• Neurologic exams
• Brain scans
• Psychiatric evaluations
• Blood tests

Depending on how advanced the dementia is, caretakers will likely be asked about what symptoms they have noticed themselves.

Dementia treatment options

There’s no cure for dementia, but medication and therapy can manage symptoms and increase quality of life.

Dementia medications

Many people with dementia take medication to help manage the symptoms and delay disease progression. Your doctor can prescribe medications that specifically match your diagnosis.

People with dementia are sometimes also prescribed medications to ease behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as depression, psychosis, aggression, or agitation.¹¹ 

Therapy for dementia

People with dementia can benefit from interventions beyond medication. Certain types of therapy may stimulate a person’s memory, help them develop coping strategies and organizational systems, modify their environment, and help with mood regulation. A doctor may recommend:

• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language therapy
• Art therapy
• Music therapy

Seeking therapy

In addition to the medical challenges it presents, dementia can cause mental health issues for both the person experiencing it and their loved ones. If you or someone you know are experiencing dementia, it’s important to connect with a therapist. They can help you learn to recognize and cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or grief you may have following the diagnosis.