DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION

Depression can often be a sign of dementia and the illness can mask the presence of something deeper such as dementia which of course can be the symptom of Alzheimer's. Underlying dementia is often overlooked because such huge numbers of people suffer globally from the problem of depression. Many doctors are aware of the possibility of this cause of depression, but many overlook it. Although there is very little that can be done medically about dementia, a change of lifestle can help tremendously and slow down the progression into Alzheimer's or some other disease. Turning to depression as a problem of many, personaly I dealt with mine by positive thinking and the recognition that like all of us I had so many blessings. Prayer and meditation do help. However, if one can't do it onself, then seek medical advice and get the right drugs. For those suffering from dementia the warning signs are incresed short term memory loss, dificulties in remembering how to do things that requie skill or concentration, such as for example internet banking and forgeting what you were about to do. In my own case I also started getting on blank spots where I would be walking and didn't immediately recognize where I was. At this point I was diagnosed with dementia, but I then realised that I had been suffering from dementia for almost ten years. The good thing to be seen in my example is that with lifestyle changes one can continue for many years and live a very happy and full life. Dementia may even make you seek out your inner self and end up being truly happy and take each day as it comes. avid Barnato. Paarl. South Africa