Should I get tested for dementia?

I really don't wanna believe that I could have signs of dementia at only 29 but I think I do. I've been a troubled child all my life, but I feel now as I get older I get worse. In recent years I notice my memory has gotten really bad..... sometimes I can't remember recent events or things that just happened a few days ago. I also have problems learning and understanding, this is why I have a hard time interacting with other people in a group and it really upsets me. My best friend is very intelligent and I look up to her. Her friends are also very smart, and I feel left out of the group sometimes because I can't comprehend what they talk about. I'll usually just say yes, or nod my head to things I don't understand, because I don't wanna show anybody that I'm lost in the conversation. At times I can't find the right words to express how I feel, which is why sometimes THEY don't understand ME. I'm already diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, but could I also have signs of dementia???

Hi you really do sound very worried about all of this and it sounds very stressful for you. first it could be many other things and not dementia even depression can cause you to have memory problems. I mean I offten go to the shop (next door to my home) and stand there thinking what in the world did I come for. then I just buy anything so not to look stupid. I do this all the time and not just when I go to the shop it can be anything at all and I will just forget what I was doing.
My best advice to anyone that is turely worried about there health in anyway is to seek medical advice. scary as it can be the best person to tell you what is wrong is a doctor. I worry about going to the doctor about stuff for lots of reasons but its the truth that know one can help you like them.
take care
lisa

Hve a doctor check you out. You are going to kill yourself with the worry.

Before you start considering the possibilities of causes please discuss this with your PDOC. It could be your meds need adjusting or you need to change one or more. As there are many different medications for Bi-Polar it might be a dosage adjustment or replacing one for another. The symptoms you describe can be from one of many causes and only a qualified doc can evaluate you. The other possibility if your docs agree would be an evaluation which is accomplished by a team of docs, social workers etc but I do not think that will be required. Just let your doctor know all that has been going on and take it a day at a time until you find out. I would also look in to ways to reduce the stress levels if at all possible

Do you have anxiety? It sounds like it. Anxiety can make you forgetful and make it difficult to learn new things. It can also make it hard for you to follow conversations. Anxiety of some sort is usually present in people who are Bipolar. The other factor here is your medication. Are you on Lithium? A benzodiazepine or traquiliser of some sort? All psychiatric medications can make the mind 'fuzzy' and can mess with your memory. Are you on an anti-epileptic like Topamax or Lamotrigine? These can also affect memory and learning. You may need to have the dosage modified or could ask if something like Provigil could help cut through the fog and improve your memory.

It does not sound like you have dementia, as you say you have always had similar symptoms. It sounds like you may be suffering from social anxiety and the normal effects of medications. Stopping meds is not an option, but you can try talking openly to a doctor (giving him a full history and run down of meds and treatments if he is not your usual doctor), and exploring options for improved cognition and recall.

Last note, try exercising. A new Harvard medical study (covered in Newsweek Magazine) shows that exercise helps form new neural pathways and improve memory and learning.

I hope this helps, and I hope you find an answer. Good luck.

There are many things which can mimic signs of dementia so yes, go to your doctor. If your cognitive tests show impairment they will do further tests to determine why. It could be a simple vitamin deficiency or something more complex. Good luck.