If you or someone you care about is getting forgetful or confused, you might be worried it’s dementia. Everyone forgets things from time to time, but the memory loss associated with dementia is different. It becomes worse over time, and can eventually lead to forgetting how to do everyday things like getting dressed or having a shower. Show
What are the symptoms of dementia?The early signs of dementia can be very vague and they vary from person to person. They can include:
The symptoms may not be caused by dementia, but if they are, an earlier diagnosis will be helpful since it will allow the person with dementia to get access to medicine, support and information. There is a simple Worried About Your Memory Checklist (PDF) that may be helpful. It’s not designed to diagnose dementia, but is a useful guide for discussions with a doctor about a person’s memory. Mild cognitive impairmentMild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs when a person’s memory loss is more than you would expect for someone of the same age, but without other signs of dementia like the loss of reasoning or judgement. Some people who have MCI go to on develop dementia, but others do not. People with MCI are 3 to 5 times more likely to develop dementia, but many people with MCI remain stable or even improve. Talk to your doctor about dementia — expert adviceSignificant changes in memory are not normal at any age and should be investigated by a doctor as soon as possible. It's important not to assume a person has dementia. Many other conditions can cause the symptoms of dementia, so the first step is to talk to your doctor. A medical diagnosis is important because there could be other reasons for these changes, such as: Watch the video below and learn how you can start a conversation with someone who may be showing signs of dementia about the need to see a doctor. Read the related video transcriptWhat causes dementia?We don't yet fully understand how genes influence our chance of getting dementia. Usually people get dementia randomly and it's not inherited from their parents. If you have a close relative with dementia, your risk of your getting it is only slightly higher than it is for other people. There isn't a single gene that is responsible for most types of dementia. However, some rare types of dementia can be inherited. These include: If a parent has the type of gene or genes that causes these rare types of dementia, then their children will have a higher chance of inheriting the condition and developing that type of dementia, often in their middle age. Genetic testingDeciding whether to have a genetic test or not is difficult. You might naturally want to know if you will develop dementia in future, but there are downsides to knowing too. It also depends on the nature of the genetic transmission of the condition. It is essential to have specialised genetic counselling before deciding to have a genetic test. You can discuss genetic counselling with your doctor or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 to arrange an appointment with a counsellor. Dementia and shared decision-making — expert adviceWhen a diagnosis of dementia is made, it is important to start thinking about the future. Next steps for the person with dementia need to be discussed with a doctor and close family members. This video provides some important points for the future to consider. Read the related video transcriptTalking about dementiaA diagnosis of dementia can be very stressful for the person diagnosed, and for their family and carers. Telling a person they have dementia is difficult, and must be handled in a sensitive, calm and dignified way. The person with dementia has the right to know about their diagnosis, especially if they are diagnosed at an early stage of the disease. However, they also have a right not to know their diagnosis if that is their clear preference. If you are a carer, friend or family member, you may need to explain:
Sometimes the person with dementia may not understand all it means to have the condition. This is where a family member or carer may need to make some judgements about what the person would want. For example, they may have indicated in the past what they would prefer should this type of situation arise. Some doctors will always tell their patient about their diagnosis, so it is important to discuss the issue before the doctor visits. It might help to talk with family and friends, and the person’s doctor, beforehand. Visit the Dementia Australia website to find out more, or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for information and support. Reducing your risk of dementiaHeart disease and diabetes can increase your risk of developing dementia. Looking after your health by not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and being a healthy weight will all help. You can also reduce the risk of developing dementia by looking after your brain health. Visit the Dementia Australia website to find out about other risk factors for dementia, including tips on how to reduce them. Resources and supportVisit the Dementia Australia website to find out more, or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 for information and support.
Suicide is when someone dies on purpose. A young person dying because of overwhelming hopelessness or frustration is devastating to family, friends, and community. Parents, siblings, classmates, coaches, and neighbors might be left wondering if they could have done something to prevent that young person from turning to suicide. If you're worried about your teen or another child, take it seriously and talk to them right away. You also can turn to these resources for 24/7 help:
These toll-free lines are staffed by people who are trained to help. The calls are confidential. If necessary, call 911 for immediate help. Why Do Teens Consider Suicide?Learning more about what might lead a teen to suicide may help prevent further tragedies. The reasons behind a teen's suicide or attempted suicide can be complex. Although suicide is relatively rare among children, the rate of suicides and suicide attempts increases greatly during adolescence.
Which Teens Are at Risk for Suicide?It can be hard to remember how it felt to be a teen, caught in that gray area between childhood and adulthood. Sure, it's a time of tremendous possibility, but it also can be a period of stress and worry. There's pressure to fit in socially, to perform academically, and to act responsibly. Adolescence is also a time of sexual identity and relationships and a need for independence that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by others. Young people with mental health problems — such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or insomnia — are at higher risk for suicidal thoughts. Teens going through major life changes (parents' divorce, moving, a parent leaving home due to military service or parental separation, financial changes) and those who are bullied are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts. Things that increase the risk of suicide among teens include:
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicide?Suicide among teens often happens after a stressful life event, such as problems at school, a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a major family conflict. Teens who are thinking about suicide might:
What Can Parents Do?Many teens who die by or attempt suicide have given some type of warning to loved ones ahead of time. So it's important for parents to know the warning signs so teens who might be suicidal can get the help they need. Even though it's not always preventable, it's always a good idea to be informed and take action to help a troubled teenager. Some adults feel that kids who say they are going to hurt or kill themselves are "just doing it for attention." It's important to realize that if teens are ignored when seeking attention, it may increase the chance of them harming themselves. Getting attention in the form of ER visits, doctor's appointments, and residential treatment generally is not something teens want — unless they're seriously depressed and thinking about suicide or at least wishing they were dead. It's important to see warning signs as serious, not as "attention-seeking" to be ignored. Watch and ListenKeep a close eye on a teen who is depressed and withdrawn. Understanding depression in teens is very important because it can look different from commonly held beliefs about depression. For example, it may take the form of problems with friends, grades, sleep, or being cranky and irritable rather than chronic sadness or crying. Try to keep the lines of communication open and express your concern, support, and love. If your teen confides in you, show that you take those concerns seriously. A fight with a friend might not seem like a big deal to you, but for a teen it can feel immense and consuming. Don't minimize or ignore what your teen is going through, as this can increase their sense of hopelessness. If your teen doesn't feel comfortable talking with you, suggest a more neutral person, such as another relative, a clergy member, a coach, a school counselor, or your child's doctor. Ask QuestionsSome parents are reluctant to ask teens if they have been thinking about suicide or hurting themselves. Some fear that by asking, they will plant the idea of suicide in their teen's head. It's always a good idea to ask, even though it can be hard. Sometimes it helps to explain why you're asking. For instance, you might say: "I've noticed that you've been talking a lot about wanting to be dead. Have you been having thoughts about trying to kill yourself?" How Can We Get Help?If you learn that your child is thinking about suicide, get help right away. Your doctor can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist, or your local hospital's department of psychiatry can give you a list of doctors in your area. Your local mental health association or county medical society can also provide references. In an emergency, call 1-800-273-8255 or call or text 988. If your teen is in a crisis situation, your local emergency room can do a psychiatric evaluation and refer you to the right resources. If you're unsure about whether you should bring your child to the emergency room, call your doctor. If you've scheduled a visit with a mental health professional, keep the appointment, even if your teen says they're feeling better or won't go. Suicidal thoughts do tend to come and go. But your teen needs help to develop the skills needed to keep suicidal thoughts and behaviors under control during a crisis. If your teen won't go to the visit, tell the mental health professional. By going to the session and working with the clinician yourself, you'll maintain access to the help your child needs. The clinician also can discuss ways that might help your teen agree to get help. Remember that conflicts between a parent and child can make things worse for teens who feel isolated, misunderstood, devalued, or suicidal. Get help for family problems and resolve them in a healthy way. Tell the mental health professional if your family has a history of depression, substance abuse, or domestic violence. Talk about any other stresses at home, such as an ongoing environment of criticism. If You've Lost a Child to SuicideFor parents, the death of a child is the most painful loss imaginable. For parents who've lost a child to suicide, the pain and grief can be intensified. These feelings may never completely go away. But survivors of suicide can take steps to begin the healing process:
Helping Teens Cope With LossWhat should you do if someone your teen knows has attempted or died by suicide? First, acknowledge your child's many emotions. Some teens say they feel guilty — especially those who felt they could have interpreted their friend's actions and words better. Others say they feel angry with the person who committed or attempted suicide for having done something selfish. Still others say they feel no strong emotions or don't know how to express how they feel. Reassure your child that there is no right or wrong way to feel, and that it's OK to talk about it when they're ready. When someone attempts suicide and survives, people might be afraid of or uncomfortable talking with them about it. Tell your teen to resist this urge — this is a time when a person needs to feel connected to others. Many schools address a student's suicide by calling in special counselors to talk with the students and help them cope. If your teen is dealing with a friend or classmate's suicide, encourage them to use resources or to talk to you or another trusted adult. |