Diagnosing Dementia
Diagnosing dementia is often very difficult, especially in the early stages. Your GP is the first person you should consult.
Your GP may then refer you to a specialist such as a consultant. During your diagnosis you will go through some assessments. These assessments can include conversations with the person being diagnosed and the people close to them.
The people close to you will be asked if your behaviour has changed and things like that. The assessment will also include memory tests, physical examinations and possibly brain scans.
The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most commonly used test for complaints of memory problems or for when a diagnosis of dementia is being considered.
It is important to note that becoming forgetful is not always a sign of dementia. Many of us realise that our brain become less reliable as we get older. It can be a symptom of many things. These things can include stress or depression. In some rare cases, dementia like symptoms can be caused be a brain tumour or a vitamin deficiency.
Even if you are diagnosed with dementia there is lots that can be done. There is a lot research into dementia that is going on right now. It does not mean you will be shipped straight to a care home or anything like that.
There is a huge amount of support available for people suffering with dementia that allows them to live well with the condition.
If you think that you, or a loved one, may have dementia then do consult your GP. This is the first step in getting support and help.