They Think I Have Dementia: Mirroring the Thoughts of a Diagnosis

Is it really dementia, or just old age?

They think I have dementia. What do I do?

I went to my doctor today to complain about the "memory loss" everyone around me keeps talking about. Honestly, why should I even bother? All my friends forget things, too. Even the last doctor I saw dismissed it as just old age. So why would they now insist I have dementia?

I am a man of standing, with significant wealth and a large family. I can’t help but wonder: are these people just looking for a way to seize my assets while I’m still alive? Is that why they are so quick to pin this label on me?

I must admit, in my quiet moments, that I have struggled with my memory for the past three years. I usually fail to admit it out loud, but the fog seems to thicken day by day. Yet, my friends have similar complaints, and nobody is worried about them. Why should mine be the disease?

Dementia. Dementia. What do they even say it is?

They call it a disease that affects the brain, causing a person to change. They claim I have dementia because I have "changed," but I believe they are the ones who fail to understand the thoughts and feelings of an aging man.

Could it really be true?

I asked my doctor why I might have it. Can it not simply be age? He told me that my age and ethnicity make me a candidate. He pointed to the hypertension, the diabetes, the high cholesterol—all the things I failed to treat properly—and said they have made me susceptible.

Then he said something strange: he claimed my educational status put me at risk. I thought education was protective? I am a learned man—in fact, very learned. I may have started my schooling late, but I did finish.

I have worked all my life, sitting at my table for hours on end, isolating myself from the world to build my success. Is that the cause? Is it dementia?

I searched for other answers. I do not drink alcohol. I have never had head trauma. They talk about air pollution, but we all breathe the same city fumes. Why only me? They say maybe my father had it.

Is it really dementia?

My doctor ordered a series of tests. Physically, my body is fine. So why do they still call it dementia?

...

I have dementia. Early-stage dementia. I accept it.

But how do I cure it?

They tell me that unless I can access advanced treatments from abroad, or expensive therapies not easily found here, there is little to be done. What we have for now are drugs to slow the progression, not to cure it.

Why me? Why should I have dementia?

Insight and Conclusion 

This story shows that we shouldn't just blame "old age" when someone starts forgetting things. While many people think memory loss is a normal part of getting older, it is often an early sign of dementia. Seeking help from a professional right away is the best way to slow down the disease and improve a patient’s life. If you notice changes in your memory, don't wait—talk to an expert.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.