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Life Tips 06/07/2025 01:25

A top expert reveals the sh0cking first sign of dementia that strikes in your 30s – and why patients often miss it.

Sudden Heavy Drinking in Your 30s Could Be an Early Sign of Dementia, Expert Warns
If someone close to you has recently taken up heavy drinking in their thirties, it might be more than just a bad habit — it could signal the early stages of dementia, according to a leading expert.
While dementia is commonly linked to older age, it can in fact affect people much earlier in life. One specific type, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is most commonly diagnosed in adults aged 45 to 65, though there are documented cases in individuals in their 20s.
Behavioral Changes Are Often the First Clues
The earliest symptoms of FTD often manifest through dramatic shifts in personality or behavior. Individuals may begin acting impulsively or aggressively, lose their filter in social settings, or struggle with communication and language.
These warning signs are frequently overlooked or misunderstood — sometimes attributed to mental health issues or simply viewed as temporary mood swings or "personality changes" — which delays proper diagnosis and treatment.
Misdiagnosis Can Be Devastating
Paul Little, CEO of the biotech firm Vesper Bio, which focuses on improving care for those with FTD, told the Financial Times that this delay can be deeply damaging.

“It’s not rare to see patients as young as 29 developing frontotemporal dementia,” he said.
“But too often, the condition is mistaken for bipolar disorder or a midlife crisis, especially when it shows up as behavioral changes. People may start drinking excessively, have run-ins with the law, and wind up receiving the wrong kind of care.”

The Ripple Effect of a Fatal Diagnosis
There is currently no cure for FTD. The disease is progressive and ultimately fatal, but it doesn’t only impact the person diagnosed. The emotional, financial, and psychological toll extends to their families, partners, and caregivers.

“It’s devastating,” Little continued.
“Those diagnosed are often in the prime of their lives — working, raising families, building careers. As symptoms worsen, they lose the ability to function in daily life. Caregivers, in turn, often have to quit their own jobs, and everything they had planned for their future is derailed.”

The Growing Impact of Early-Onset Dementia
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently around 70,800 people in the UK living with young-onset dementia, which refers to cases where symptoms begin before the age of 65.
The causes are similar to those of late-onset dementia. For instance:

  • Alzheimer’s disease results from the accumulation of proteins in the brain, which form plaques and tangles that disrupt brain function.

  • Vascular dementia stems from impaired blood flow to the brain, often linked to cardiovascular problems.

  • Frontotemporal dementia, a rarer type, involves degeneration in the frontal and temporal lobes, which are responsible for regulating behavior, personality, and language.

As a result, individuals may begin neglecting personal hygiene, acting out of character, or becoming socially inappropriate.
Though FTD may progress slowly, the average survival period post-diagnosis ranges from two to twelve years.
Alarming Rise in Diagnoses
Worryingly, early-onset dementia cases in the UK appear to be on the rise. A 2022 review of GP records in England found a 69% increase in diagnoses since 2014 — from 28,800 cases to nearly 49,000.
This growing trend underscores the importance of recognizing early signs and taking behavioral changes seriously — especially in younger adults.
If someone you know suddenly adopts risky behaviors, such as heavy drinking, it may be time to look deeper. It could be more than just a phase — it could be an early warning sign of something much more serious.

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