Symptom 10: Changes in Mood and Personality: The Shifting Sands of Self
The tenth symptom of pre-dementia involves changes in mood and personality. It’s as if the once solid bedrock of an individual’s personality has started to shift, giving rise to uncharacteristic mood swings and behavioural changes.
The individual might become confused, suspicious, fearful, or anxious. It’s like walking on a tightrope of emotional volatility, with the fear of an unexpected gust of mood change always looming. These changes can occur gradually, subtly altering the landscape of the individual’s personality over time.
This fluctuation in mood and personality can be disconcerting not only for the individual but also for those around them. It’s like trying to navigate through a forest that keeps changing its layout, the familiarity of the path becoming a memory of the past.
Imagine feeling like a stranger in your own mind, your thoughts and emotions no longer following the patterns you knew. It’s like trying to dance to a tune that keeps changing its rhythm, the steps you once knew no longer syncing with the music.
Noticeable mood swings and personality changes are not to be dismissed as mere stress or moodiness. They could be an indication of shifts in brain health. Recognizing these changes can be the first step toward understanding the shifting sands, helping to form a stable ground for the individual and their loved ones. (10)
