2. Changes in Behavior
Cognitive decline in general can of course lead to changes in behavior as the patient becomes less ‘with it’ and start to exhibit signs of confusion etc.
However, you should also look out for other general changes in behavior.
You might find that damage to the brain and cognitive function can lead to disinhibition (which can result in poor impulse control and inappropriate behavior), Tourette’s syndrome, sleepiness, irritability, mood swings, crying, laughing and personality changes.
Of course this can be a very difficult symptom to spot – especially if you don’t know the person well. If you think someone is acting oddly, then speaking with their friends and family is often a good idea.
The thing to recognize here, is that any change in behavior or personality should always be checked by a physician immediately. Even if this doesn’t point to dementia, it can almost always be a sign of other complex issues. This could be due to hormonal or chemical changes that can lead to depression and other mood disorders, or it could be due to a tumor. Don’t ignore this.