Frontotemporal dementia often begins with subtle changes in personality or behavior, making it easy to overlook in early stages.
Symptoms include loss of empathy, where individuals may react inappropriately to others’ emotions, leading to painful experiences for family and friends.
Socially inappropriate behavior may emerge, with individuals making offensive comments or violating social norms due to the disease’s progression.
Poor judgment is common, with affected individuals making risky financial decisions, such as gambling or falling for scams.
Apathy can manifest as a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, often misdiagnosed as depression due to the absence of distress.
Language difficulties may arise, including trouble finding words, using incorrect terms, or losing the meaning of words altogether.
Many individuals with frontotemporal dementia lack self-awareness regarding their condition, complicating the process of seeking medical help.