Dementia-like symptoms?

[Hopeyet]

Hi,

I've been suffering from quite bad health anxiety and generalised anxiety for many years.

Lately, I've noticed my brain just doesn't seem to register things. I've always been a bit absent minded, but I can pretty much guarantee that 30 seconds after I've picked up my car keys I won't remember which pocket they're in. Similarly, we've just moved to a new house and it's a completely lottery which room I'll have left my phone or my wallet in. Today I got to the shop where I was due to pay for something and it slowly dawned on me that I'd withdrawn the cash I needed and presumably wandered off without actually collecting it from the machine. If I make a point of remembering something I'm fine, it's just the things that should sink it that somehow don't.

I'm only in my mid 30s, but I'm really starting to worry that I have dementia. Of course, struggling with health anxiety I 'have' a lot of things, so part of the worry is that I'm starting to obsess unnecessarily.

The other thing I was wondering was whether the anxiety itself could be the cause of these issues? I haven't slept well since we moved into the new place about a month ago (not specifically due to anxiety I don't think, but nonetheless...)

Help!

[Fishmanpa]

My Mom suffered from Dementia toward the end of her life. Just like someone worried they're going insane, one would not recognize it.

Positive thoughts

[Catherine S]

I've personally never heard of anybody in their 30s with dementia, the specialists even consider it in our 60s as being 'early onset'. I have however, heard of people with stress related memory problems in their 30s and beyond...i'm 64 and my memory lets me down at least a couple of times a day but I don't have dementia.

Cath S ☺

[KK77]

Could be brain fog caused by anxiety and stress. Although there are other conditions which can cause it, anxiety seems to be the main culprit. If it continues, however, I think a visit to your GP would be a good idea.

BTW, meds can also affect memory - if you take any that is.