These six personality changes could be signs of early onset dementia

A psychiatrist has explained six personality changes which could potentially be signs of early onset dementia.

The World Health Organisation suggests that there are 10 million new cases of dementia every single year and while it's a disease that is commonly associated with the older generation, it is not exclusive to them.

Younger adults will naturally be worried about the threat of Alzheimer's in the future, particularly after the youngest dementia patient in the UK died at the age of 24 recently.

Although there is no known cure for dementia, lifestyle changes can help to prevent it and an early diagnosis can help when it comes to treatment, so it's worth keeping an eye out for the six personality changes below, which might just suggest that something is wrong with the brain.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, professor Gill Livingston, an expert in the psychiatry of older people at University College London (UCL), explains why shifts in behaviour, confidence and emotional responses are often signs reported by families before an official dementia diagnosis.

Loss of confidence

Professor Livingston's studies found that those people who lost confidence in themselves, particularly in their 40s and 50s, were far more likely to go on to develop dementia.

Losing confidence was found to be a sign (Getty Stock)

In fact, it was the single strongest predicator, outperforming low mood, hopelessness and sleep problems, as those who experienced a drop in self-confidence had around a 50 per cent higher risk of developing dementia.

Scientists have long thought that dementia and depression could be linked and this loss in confidence could go some way towards explaining that.

Struggling to cope with everyday problems

The study found that struggling to cope with everyday issues also stood out as a strong early signal.

Stress has links to all sorts of health problems and if we suddenly become stressed about far more things, then it could well be because of an early erosion of the brain's 'cognitive reserve'.

Lack of warmth and affection for others in midlife

Anyone who has ever had to witness a family member go through dementia will be aware that they can often become angry or even aggressive with those that they love most.

Not wanting warmth or affection could be another sign (Getty Stock)

This emotional withdrawal or reduced conscientiousness was found to be present in 44 per cent of cases when first presented in mid life, and it is also seen to be a common sign of dementia.

Ongoing nervousness

People who describe themselves as nervous or strung up may also be more at risk of developing dementia later in life, with dementia expert Professor Geir Selbaek explaining why it could be a sign of neuroticism, another personality trait which is closely linked with Alzheimer's.

She said: "I think that is one of the mediating factors. Increased levels of stress lead to higher levels of inflammation in the body, and both are devastating for brain health."

Lack of satisfaction with tasks

Participants who reported being 'not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out' in midlife were also found to be more at risk of a decline in cognitive function later in life.

Concentration problems

Problems concentrating on simple tasks was also found to be an issue, completing the six different early warning signs.

Scientists suggest that reading, exercising and maintaining healthy social relationships are three ways in which we can work to prevent early cognitive decline.