6 Disorders That Are Most Commonly Misdiagnosed as Dementia

When a grandparent or parent becomes forgetful, it may be tempting to associate this type of behavior with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Although memory loss and poor judgment are symptoms of Alzheimer’s, there are several other conditions that share these symptoms. From delirium to normal pressure hydrocephalus and mild cognitive impairment, the source of their poor recollection may not be related to dementia. 

To help you determine the source of your family member’s memory issues, here is a list of 6 disorders that are commonly misdiagnosed as dementia.

6 Disorders That Share Symptoms With Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Mild Cognitive Impairment

An individual with Mild Cognitive Impairment may encounter issues with the development of short-term memories. On the other hand, the source of the memory loss symptoms that are associated with this condition may not be related to Alzheimer’s disease. If your family member is forgetting details or events during the day, the cause of the memory issues can be related to cognitive impairment.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of cognitive impairment are similar to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, often leading to misdiagnosed Alzheimer’s. As an individual ages, it is not abnormal to forget minor details such as deadlines, names, addresses, and phone numbers. These symptoms are a natural part of aging and are not always related to dementia. However, it is important to visit a doctor when these memory issues start to impact your ability to function independently.

delirium misdiagnosed as dementia2. Delirium

Delirium is a condition that can be caused by an infection, chronic ailment, invasive surgery, and medications. Ordinary symptoms of Delirium include confusion, anxiety, restlessness, and depression. An individual with Delirium may have difficulty speaking or comprehending speech. Prior to receiving a potential misdiagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to analyze the side effects of new medications you are utilizing. To eliminate the effects of Delirium, you may need to switch to a different medication.

There are a large number of medications that can cause an individual to display symptoms that are associated with dementia. On the other hand, the source of your anxiety and memory issues may be related to an infection. To determine the source of the symptoms, a Neurologist or doctor will perform a variety of tests to confirm if you have Delirium, dementia, or a different condition.

3. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is caused by a large collection of brain fluid. As the fluid starts to collect in certain areas of the brain, a large amount of pressure will start to form. Unfortunately, the excess pressure can cause damage to brain tissue. Once the tissue in the brain becomes severely damaged, an individual may start to display symptoms that are very similar to Alzheimer’s disease.

Ordinary symptoms of NPH include disorientation and delirium. If your family member is showing signs of forgetfulness, the source of the problem may be a condition that is unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease. To determine the source of disorientation, you will need to receive a diagnosis from a doctor.

Tips & Insights: Is There a Way to Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s & Dementia?

4. Alcohol Consumption

Research has shown that consuming a large amount of alcohol can kill a large number of brain cells and exacerbate memory issues. In addition, drinking excessively will increase your risk of developing other types of conditions such as liver disease that will negatively impact cognitive processing. In fact, drinking an exorbitant amount of alcohol can cause you to display similar side effects that are observed in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease such as memory loss, poor judgement, anxiety, and aggression.

mood disorders misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's5. Bipolar & Mood Disorders

If a family member is presenting symptoms such as poor memory or agitation, this is a sign of a mood disorder such as bipolar disease. Other types of mood disorders include cyclothymic, premenstrual dysphoric, and disruptive mood dysregulation. Since mood disorders can make it hard to focus and process information, it may be harder for an individual with a bipolar disorder to comprehend and retain information about events, projects, or daily tasks. If your family member is portraying signs of memory loss, the issue may be unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease. You will need to visit a Neurologist or doctor to receive a diagnosis for a mood disorder or dementia.

6. Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

As your mother or father becomes older, they may lose interest or struggle to make meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If your family member is not consuming enough food, they may encounter a vitamin deficiency. Although there are a large number of symptoms associated with a vitamin B-12 deficiency, the most important side effect to be familiar with is memory loss. A vitamin deficiency can cause issues such as behavioral changes, depression, and poor recollection. Since a vitamin B-12 deficiency can promote memory loss, it is often misdiagnosed as dementia. Other symptoms of a vitamin deficiency include diarrhea, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and impaired vision.

Tips & Insights: What is Sundowning & How Does It Impact Individuals With Dementia?

Reliable Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Solutions

If your family member is forgetting to take their medication or perform daily tasks such as bathing or washing the dishes, this is a sign it’s time to transition them to a memory care assisted living facility. Are you struggling to care for a parent with dementia at home? The staff at our dementia care facility specializes at caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Give our team a call by phone at (630) 534-0886 to become familiar with the dementia care options in our community.

Natalie Pic

Meet the Author

NATALIE MCFARLAND, BSN, RN, CDP

Natalie has compiled over eighteen years experience providing outstanding care to people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In addition to being a certified Alzheimer’s and dementia care trainer, McFarland is a licensed continued education instructor for nurses and social workers through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. She has also developed several Alzheimer’s research partnerships. Included in those projects were Dr. Virginia Cruz, Ph.D., RN, Associate Professor of SIUE and Dr. George Grossberg, M.D., Medical Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Saint Louis University. Natalie is a graduate of Southern Illinois University.