Distinguishing signs of early dementia from depression is tricky

Mar 24, 2008, 3:07 GMT

Berlin - It's often difficult to differentiate between early stages of dementia and depression, but a precise psychiatric examination can help, said the German society for psychiatry, psychotherapy and neurology in Berlin.

'An Alzheimer dementia usually begins with creeping disturbances in memory, difficulty finding words, changes in behaviour and a decrease in activity,' said Professor Wolfgang Maier, a member of the society's board of directors.

Depression is similar. The difference is patients with depression can often give detailed descriptions of their memory problems, while people with dementia tend to play them down.

It is important for people with early signs of dementia to maintain their mental abilities as long as possible. The patient should be put into a position in which they must do day-to-day tasks such as dressing and eating by themselves as long as possible, said Maier, director of a clinic for psychiatry and psychotherapy in Bonn.

'If the patient is being cared for by family members, he or she can be involved in practical, everyday tasks such as drying the dishes or peeling vegetables,' Maier said.

Risk factors for dementia in old age include high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

'Physical activity such as hiking, swimming, walking and Nordic walking, along with a healthy diet support the metabolism of the brain,' said Maier. Targeted cognitive activity such as learning a foreign language is also important.

According to the society, in Germany there are 1.1 million people with dementia. Five to 10 per cent of people over the age of 65 and 30 to 40 per cent of people over the age of 80 are affected by the disease.