Medical Evaluation “Rule Out” other causes or “pseudo-Dementias”

Some behavioral and cognitive symptoms may be related to a reversible health condition, which may include infections, thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiency, substance abuse, untreated sleep apnea, depression, and other problems (Nathan, 2023).

It is important for anyone with concerning symptoms to be evaluated by a medical doctor. Potentially-reversible conditions should be investigated to assess if they are the cause of the Dementia or a comorbidity to a progressive dementing disorder (Tripathi & Vibha, 2009).

Pseudodementia symptoms have been associated with depression, with people who have depression having complaints of memory loss which may improve with identification and treatment of the underlying cause (Waichler, 2021).

references:

• Nathan, K.  (2023, February). Reversible Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. https://geriatricacademy.com/reversible-causes-of-dementia/
• Tripathi, M., & Vibha, D. (2009). Reversible dementias. Indian journal of psychiatry, 51 Suppl 1(Suppl1), S52–S55.
• Waichler, I. (2021, March). Pseudodementia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/pseudodementia/