Shannen Beadle

‘I was told I was too young for dementia and my symptoms were the menopause.’ A major difference between men and women as they get older is the menopause. This is especially relevant for people with young onset dementia as early symptoms can be hard to recognise or not obvious. They might be put down to other factors such as stress, difficulties with relationships or work, or the menopause. This was the experience of Anita who had to fight four years for a diagnosis as her symptoms were initially dismissed as the menopause. ‘When I was around 45, I knew something was wrong. I couldn't remember names and faces, directions or where places were. ‘I started seeing the GP to understand what was happening. I explained about the memory issues, but I kept being told I was too young for dementia. I needed to have somebody have a look at my memory - what I was seeing, hearing and feeling. Not a “O my God she’s here again. What is she coming in with now?” ‘It was put down to menopause, psychosis, hysteria and hypochondria. The lack of an early and accurate dementia diagnosis had a damaging impact on Anita’s life. ‘The symptoms meant I had problems with my work. I was told I would have to leave or do a fitness to practice test. ‘Because I didn’t have a diagnosis, I couldn’t get the workplace support I needed or the medical insurance that could have helped, so I had to take early retirement and leave. ‘I went from being employed to being on the dole. Not having a diagnosis also meant that I couldn’t get any financial support. ‘I couldn’t claim any benefits for nearly 2 years and had to cash in pensions, use my savings and receive financial help from family, to get by. ‘Despite all this, by the time I got a diagnosis I was £2000 in debt. ‘If I had gotten a timely diagnosis I could have changed jobs. I could have continued working. ‘I feel passionately about the importance of getting an early diagnosis, and that early onset dementia symptoms are not confused with and assumed to be caused by the menopause.’