2. Struggles with Object Recognition: A Test of Perception
A closely related symptom of semantic dementia is the struggle with object recognition. It’s a perplexing phenomenon where the eyes can see perfectly well, but the brain is unable to identify what it’s looking at. It’s not an issue with sight; rather, it’s a disconnection between seeing an object and understanding what it means.
In the early stages of semantic dementia, this symptom may present as minor mistakes or confusion. An individual might briefly struggle to identify a key or a wristwatch, only for recognition to click into place a moment later. It might be brushed off as absent-mindedness or a momentary blip in attention.
As the disease progresses, however, this struggle with object recognition becomes more prominent. Everyday items like a ‘pen’ or ‘spoon’ may seem foreign.
They may hold a familiar object in their hand, their eyes registering its color and shape, but they are unable to summon any understanding of its name or function. It’s as if the link between perception and understanding is gradually severed as the disease advances.
This symptom isn’t limited to objects alone. Some people with semantic dementia may also struggle to recognize people’s faces, even those of close family members or friends. This can cause significant distress both for the individual with SD and their loved ones.
Over time, the impairment in object recognition can significantly disrupt an individual’s life. It may lead to difficulties performing tasks that were previously second nature, like cooking a meal or getting dressed. The world can become an increasingly confusing place as the familiar is rendered unfamiliar and the mundane becomes inscrutable. (2)
