New Delhi : Doctors across Delhi NCR are seeing rise in cases of Pseudodementia and loss of memory in younger population as young as 30-40 years. Doctors are getting around 50 cases per month related to memory loss and Pseudodementia in younger population.Doctors in Delhi NCR are highlighting how memory loss and Pseudodementia is striking younger people at an early age and said that excessive stress, depression and overwork is to blamed for this rise.
The term pseudo dementia is used to describe the condition in which depression causes cognitive deficits that masquerade as dementia. Patients will often present with difficulties in memory and concentration and deny depressive symptoms.
Dr Praveen Gupta, Director Neurology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, said “Cases of Pseudodementia in younger population is increasing . We get around 50 cases in month where patients less than 50 years of age, seek help related to memory loss and Pseudodementia. Factors like taking excess stress related to career, overwork,social status, and other factor is leading to pressure on brain which hinders brain from processing the information completely due to which it does not reach to permanent memory. Also processing too many information at the same time is also leading to loss of focus and memory loss.”
Nidhi , a 35 year old from Delhi with corporate job in Gurgaon came to Dr. Praveen Gupta with complain of forgetting the names of people and even forgets where she has kept the house and car keys. Doctors found that due to overwork, stressful job and multitasking and struggle to balance both work and home, she has developed attention deficit disorder which can be treated with care, medicine and councelling.
45 year old Aniket who is an investment banker travels a lot due to his work requirements came to the doctor with problem of not able to remember the name of people and forgetting things very easily. Doctors found that due to overwork and stress to balance his investment lead to problem of memory loss in his case.
Dr. Praveen Gupta, further said “ Having high levels of stress can negatively affect the function brain, which may result in memory loss problems. Both Pseudodementia and memory Loss can be treated successfully and should be diagnosed as early as possible”
Dr. Vipul Rastogi , Senior Consulatant Neuropsychiatrist at Medanta Hospital said “ Stress is the leading cause of pseudodementia. More and more younger people are struggling to manage their life stressors be it personal, professional or related to finances. It is very concerning but with adequate information and awareness this should be preventable and manageable“.
In daily life patients with Pseudodementia and Memory Loss face problems like forgetting where you placed the car keys, not remembering to pick up an item at the grocery store, forgetting to return a friend’s phone call and even forgetting what they were just about to say.
