Early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms are similar to those experienced by individuals diagnosed with the disease in later stages of life. They typically include personality changes, difficulty solving common problems, forgetfulness, exhibiting poor judgment, withdrawal from friends and family, and a lack of sexual desire. When these symptoms first appear in middle-aged adults, or people under the age of 65, they are often misunderstood. In fact, some people with undiagnosed early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms end up having many problems at work or at home. This is because their family, spouse, coworkers, and employers may view their actions as intentional — or simply careless.
It is normal to forget things from time to time. For example, many people can easily forget where they put their keys. Eventually, such items are usually found in a logical place. Perhaps papers were placed on top of them, which kept the keys out of view, or they may have fallen between sofa cushions.
When a person begins to exhibit signs of early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms, however, the keys might be found in unusual places, like the freezer, in a closet, or some other location where the placement does not normally make sense. When this happens, the individual is often very confused about how the keys ended up in a place that he did not even remember visiting. When things like this happen repeatedly, it may be a sign that something is wrong.
Along with forgetfulness, poor judgment is one of the most common early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms. The person suffering from the condition may begin to make bad business decisions at work. Similarly, he may do things at home that appear to be out of character. For example, instead of paying the mortgage, he may decide to invest it or purchase a frivolous item. Until the condition is diagnosed, the family usually does not understand the actions of their loved one, and they can become frustrated by the person's unpredictability.
The individual who is exhibiting early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms is often aware that something is amiss, but many times, embarrassment causes him to keep concerns to himself. Quite often, a person with such symptoms withdraws from friends, family, and social activities he once enjoyed. Many people with the condition also experience a loss of sexual desire, which may negatively affect the relationship with a spouse, and can be a source of contention between husband and wife.
