Psychologist clarifies ‘mixed dementia’ misconception

A psychologist sheds light on the meaning of ‘complicated’ dementia‘ and cleared up common misconceptions. D., CEO of Dementia Care Hub and a researcher focusing on cognitive decline. Kelynn Lee recently answered a follower’s question on TikTok.

The follower recently learned that his mother was diagnosed with the disease mixed dementia and mistakenly thought this meant doctors were unsure of the exact type of dementia he had. However, Dr Lee explained that this is not the case at all.

He previously said: “No. So, mixed dementia is when a person has more than one type of dementia. OK, so instead of just having Alzheimer’s disease, they’ll have Alzheimer’s disease plus vascular dementia, for example.”

“That’s probably the most typical when we’re talking about mixed dementias. So no, it’s not that they’re not sure what it is, we’re talking about the fact that there are two types of dementia.”

Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a variety of conditions that manifest as a gradual decline in brain function, such as Alzheimer’s disease. According to the NHS, more than 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia and Alzheimer’s Association It reports that one in 10 people have mixed dementia.

Mixed dementia, which includes different forms of the condition, lacks a specific set of symptoms. Although one breed’s symptoms are often more pronounced than others, caregivers should be familiar with the warning signs of each breed.

Official advice from the Alzheimer’s Association adds: “Alzheimer’s disease with vascular dementia. This is the most common type of mixed dementia. It occurs because a person with Alzheimer’s disease also has diseased or damaged blood vessels that supply the brain.”

“Two different types of diseases come together to make symptoms worse than they would be on their own.” There is currently no cure for mixed dementia, but treatments are available to relieve its symptoms, which can include confusion, memory loss, and difficulty speaking, among other problems.

Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one is showing symptoms of dementia should consult their doctor for guidance.

Potential early warning symptoms of dementia

Dementia symptoms vary depending on the specific type. However, common symptoms that are often seen in the early stages are:

• mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Having difficulty performing familiar daily tasks, such as being confused about the correct change when shopping
• Amnesia
• I have trouble following a conversation or finding the right word
• Confusion about time and place

NHS guidance added: “These symptoms are usually mild and may worsen only very slowly. They are often referred to as ‘mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI) because the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.”

“If you have these symptoms, you may not notice them, and your family and friends may not notice them or take them seriously for a while. In some people, these symptoms will remain the same and not get worse. However, some people with MCI will continue to develop dementia.

“Dementia is not a natural part of aging. So if you’re worried about memory problems or other symptoms it’s important to talk to a GP sooner rather than later.”

Visit NHS website for more information.