Understanding Dementia: What Stage Of Dementia Is Anger?

You may have heard that dementia, a group of conditions affecting memory and mental function, can sometimes cause anger and aggressive behavior. If so, you may wonder if there’s a specific stage of dementia when these symptoms typically emerge. To answer this question, it may be helpful to have more context on what dementia is and how it can affect people. Below, we’ll explore these topics in more detail. 

Understanding dementia

According to the World Health Organization, dementia currently affects over 55 million people around the globe, with almost 10 million new cases emerging each year. Dementia is a broad term for a group of diseases that typically affect memory, personality, and cognitive function. While we don’t know exactly what causes dementia, certain lifestyle, medical, and environmental factors may make it more likely, such as high blood pressure, hearing loss, and air pollution. Although dementia commonly affects older adults, young people may also develop dementia in some cases. 

People with dementia may experience memory loss, changes in their behavior, and other mental and emotional symptoms. These changes tend to get more severe as the disease progresses, making it increasingly hard to function in daily life. By the later stages, people with dementia often need help with routine tasks like eating, moving, and going to the bathroom. 

Exploring the different types of dementia

As discussed above, dementia is not a specific disease itself. The term “dementia” describes a cluster of conditions, each affecting the brain in different ways. In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the most common forms of dementia a person may develop. 

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by . These buildups tend to interfere with the connections between brain cells and negatively affect mental function. 

Alzheimer’s typically develops in stages, getting progressively worse with time. In early-stage Alzheimer’s, a person may experience minor memory and communication challenges but still be able to do daily activities. In middle-stage Alzheimer’s, symptoms may become more noticeable and disruptive. By the later stages, . 

Is Alzheimer’s disease the same as dementia?

The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used interchangeably. However, Alzheimer’s disease is just one of several types of dementia. For this reason, when you hear dementia being discussed in a medical context, you may want to avoid assuming that it automatically refers to Alzheimer’s. 

Frontotemporal dementia

Like Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia is also caused by an abnormal buildup of protein in the brain, which affects cognitive skills and behavior. However, the proteins that cause this form of dementia mainly target the frontal and temporal lobes (located near the front and sides of the brain). Frontotemporal dementia is more common between the ages of 40 and 60, while Alzheimer’s tends to mainly affect older adults.  

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is different from other forms of dementia because it is not caused by plaques or proteins, but by conditions that disrupt the flow of blood to the brain, such as strokes or issues with blood vessels. These conditions can damage and kill brain cells, leading to symptoms of dementia. 

Mixed dementia

Some people may have multiple types of dementia at once. When this occurs, the dementia is typically called “mixed dementia.” For example, someone with Alzheimer’s disease might also have issues with the blood vessels in their brain, causing them to also have vascular dementia. 

Anger, mental health challenges, and other dementia symptoms

Symptoms of dementia tend to start out mild, which is why dementia may not always be easy to spot in its early stages. Common signs of dementia may include trouble focusing, memory difficulties, and challenges with making plans and solving problems. People with dementia might also: 

• Experience difficulty following conversations
• Speak slowly, mix up their words, or have difficulty thinking of the right word
• Forget the names and faces of people they know
• Get lost in familiar places
• Have difficulty with daily tasks
• Have delusions (false beliefs) or hallucinations (seeing, feeling, or hearing things that aren’t there)
• Withdraw from social situations
• Lose interest in hobbies and relationships
• Have difficulty with movement and balance
• Experience mood swings
• Experience mental health challenges like anxiety and depression
• Behave inappropriately
• Have difficulty eating and going to the bathroom

Dementia can also cause significant personality and behavior changes. As a result, people with dementia may become angry or act aggressively, even when these behaviors seem unexpected or out of character. However, there may be several reasons a person with dementia might show aggressive behaviors. For example, because people with dementia often have trouble communicating, anger can be a natural response when they feel overwhelmed or confused. Other factors that may cause aggression include:

• Physical discomfort
• Loud noises
• Physical clutter
• Hunger or thirst
• Certain medications 

Are dementia symptoms the same for everyone?

While the above symptoms can be common in people with dementia, each patient is unique. Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the person, the type of dementia, how far the disease has progressed, and which areas of the brain are affected. 

Do different types of dementia have different symptoms?

While dementia symptoms can vary from person to person, certain symptoms may be more common with specific types of dementia. For instance, according to the National Institute on Aging, frontotemporal dementia may lead to specific movement problems like shaky hands and trouble with balance. Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s disease may be more likely to cause problems with language and memory. However, it may not always be possible to tell what kind of dementia a person has based on their symptoms alone. 

Is there a specific dementia “anger stage”?

Because anger, aggression, and other challenging behaviors can be common symptoms of dementia, you may wonder, “What stage of dementia is anger?” Questions like this can be common, given that illnesses like Alzheimer’s often develop in stages. While behavior changes tend to happen in the middle and later stages of dementia, dementia symptoms are not always universal. Some people may not experience anger at all, while for others, anger may be a significant challenge. 

What treatments are available to a person with dementia?

Currently, dementia cannot be reversed, but several medications may improve symptoms—such as anger and aggression—and slow the progress of the disease. Some examples of medications include:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors: Cholinesterase inhibitors tend to boost levels of chemicals in the brain that help with memory and learning. These medications may slow the rate of memory loss and confusion in people with mild or moderate dementia. 
• Memantine: Memantine is a medication that may be useful for people with more advanced dementia. Memantine works by lowering levels of a brain chemical called glutamate, an excess of which can negatively impact memory. 
• Antidepressants: In addition to anger, symptoms of depression can be common in people with dementia. Antidepressants often boost levels of serotonin in the brain, which may improve mood. 
• Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications may improve symptoms like aggression, anger, hallucinations, and delusions. There are two types of antipsychotics: typical and atypical. While both types may produce side effects, the side effects of atypical antipsychotics may be less severe. 

Can therapy improve mental health in a person with dementia?

Other, non-medication treatments may also benefit dementia patients. While therapy may not reverse dementia, working with a therapist may help people with dementia improve their well-being. Types of therapy that may be useful for dementia include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy is to shift thoughts and beliefs that may be negatively affecting mental health and behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to help with disorders like anxiety and depression, which can be common in people with dementia. 
• Cognitive stimulation: Cognitive stimulation therapy typically focuses on sharpening mental skills like problem-solving, memory, and language. Cognitive stimulation may include group discussions, puzzles, games, and other activities. 
• Cognitive rehabilitation: In cognitive rehabilitation therapy, patients identify mental skills and daily tasks they want to improve, such as getting dressed or making phone calls. They then work with a trained professional and a relative or friend to improve their brain’s ability to perform these tasks. 

Getting help for you or a loved one

Coping with dementia symptoms, including anger, can be challenging. However, treatments like those mentioned in this article may make a noticeable difference in a person’s quality of life. For this reason, if you’re concerned about dementia in yourself or a loved one, you may want to start by talking to a doctor, who may be able to recommend the right combination of medications and therapies for your situation. 

However, dementia treatments may not always be available at an affordable cost. According to a report from 2022,  report having adequate mental health coverage. Online therapy platforms may make mental health treatment more affordable, allowing you see a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home starting at $65 per week. Therapy can take place via audio, video, or live chat at a time that works for you.

Studies show that online therapy may be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression, which often accompany dementia. In a 2017 study, researchers analyzed data from 373 studies of internet-based therapy. They found that online therapy effectively treated depression, anxiety disorders, and various other mental health conditions.

Takeaway

Dementia describes a group of illnesses that affect the brain, often causing challenges with memory, behavior, and communication. Anger and aggression can also be common in people with dementia, especially when they are in distress and can’t communicate their needs. These symptoms tend to occur later on in the illness, although dementia symptoms—and the point at which they develop—can vary depending on the person. While there is currently no cure for dementia, symptoms like anger may be more manageable with treatment. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of dementia, know that you’re not alone. Professional help is available, both in person and online. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist who has experience treating patients with dementia. Take the first step toward getting support with anger and other symptoms of dementia and contact BetterHelp today.