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* More anxious
* More suspicious
* Irritable
* Withdrawn
* Apathetic
* Easily upset
* Less interested in activities they once enjoyed
Family members may notice these changes before the person does.
Mood changes alone do not prove dementia, but they can be part of the overall picture.
## 7. Poor Judgment or Unusual Decisions
Dementia can affect reasoning and decision-making.
A person may:
* Give money to obvious scams
* Make unusual purchases
* Ignore personal hygiene
* Dress inappropriately for the weather
* Make unsafe financial decisions
A sudden or progressive decline in judgment is more concerning than an occasional poor choice.
## 8. Withdrawal From Social Activities
A person may stop participating in hobbies, conversations, or social events.
This can happen because:
* Conversation becomes harder
* They feel embarrassed about memory problems
* Familiar activities become confusing
* Fatigue or apathy increases
Social withdrawal can also result from depression, hearing loss, or anxiety, so the cause needs to be evaluated.
## What Is Normal Aging?
Normal aging can involve:
* Occasionally forgetting names
* Misplacing keys
* Needing more time to learn something new
* Forgetting why you entered a room
* Making an occasional mistake
These changes are usually mild and do not significantly interfere with independence.
## What Is More Concerning?
Possible dementia becomes more likely when changes:
* Happen repeatedly
* Become progressively worse
* Affect several areas of thinking
* Interfere with daily life
* Are noticed by family or friends
The pattern matters more than any single symptom.
## Dementia Is Not One Disease
Dementia can have different causes, including:
