Frontotemporal Dementia

Dementia is a problem of the elderly, right? Generally that's true. But there is one form of the disease that can strike people when they are very young, in their 20's or even their teens. It's called Frontotemporal Dementia, or FTD. And while rare, it devastates lives by rapidly turning young, vital people into those who need constant care.

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  Science & Technology

[Mayo Clinic]

Unfortunately this cannot be diagnosed based on a single test and not by a simple blood test. You will need to see a neurologist and undergo several tests.

[ccperkins21]

My dad was diagnosed in 2005 and is currently in a nursing home at age 66. He was laid off of his job in 2004 because something just didn't seem "right" and he could no longer operate the required machinery. Since then, it's been a steady downward spiral in his cognitive skills. He barely communicates, is spoon fed at times, still walking but is showing signs of imbalance. It's been an emotional roller coaster but we have to eventually accept what is taking place. Love you dad.

[maw0509maw0509]

My mother was formally diagnosed with this disease 3 years ago at the age of 59. However, she started exhibiting symptoms of the disease 10-15 years prior to diagnosis. I wish more people knew about this and I'm glad to see that someone is trying to raise awareness.

[Cleverladylovinglife]

Thanks for the video, it's kind of you to allow us to see and learn from your experiences so that others will learn to be aware of what may be happening in their lives with there loved one. GOD Bless You All.

[vikkat123]

My dad was diagnosed in 2008 with dementia and he is also 65. Some days ago we werectold that the exact diagnosis is FTD. Last month he is getting worse everyday mostly in his moving. We live in Greece. Through my search in the web I found there is no treatment or any medication available nowhere in the world. Do you know something more? Is there anything we can do?

[BuLilay]

My dad has FTD. He was diagnosed in 2009 and he's 65 years old right now. He showed symptoms in his late 40s-early 50s. I've been a caregiver my whole lifestyle, it was planned even before I was born. I also have a brother with severe autism and mental retardation. My journey having family members with neurological disorders has been continuously difficult but I am blessed to have them in my life. My dad & brother has taught me so much.

[SuzieIt]

I'm writing a blog about our journey with my brother-in-law's progression of FTD.

forfranksake.blogspot.com/

[ps31v3]

I worry about my father. He's not young, but still shows signs of dementia.

[beforethestormx31]

my mom is 54 and was diagnosed when she was 52. such an awful disease that is so hard to understand. it's literally stolen everything from my family and i.

[Vinicius e Claudia Martins]

I am Vinicius, an italian-bazilian guy who lives in Brazil. My mother has this disease and it's hearbreaking. She's been suffering with this for nearly 10 years now and nothing has helped. All of her brothers and sisters with whom she had always been very close have turned their back on her since she got ill. I'd love to talk about it with more people, so we can somehow help one another. please email me italo.brasiliano.1982@gmail.co­m God bless y'all.

[Chris Poynter]

We have multiple neurological issues in our family, all of which have required intense treatment, medication, surgery, stents - on and on. When FTD started getting thrown into the mix, I was skeptical, but the majority of our family members have fit this profile, eventually succumbed to this type of dementia/deterioration or are still being tested/diagnosed, and I agree in that I wish it were more widely understood. I'd never heard of it until it knocked on our door -

[Di4545]

I believe my father has had Frontal Temporal Dementia for about 25 years. It started off subtle and now he exhibits aggressive/unpredictable behaviour. His obsession is money. He wants it all the time and just wants to spend it constantly. He also is sexually inappropriate with women and nurses although he does not attack me (his daughter), thank god. This has been the most stressful sneaky disease to deal with. Not enough is known about it and how to handle it.