Many people notice small personality changes in themselves or loved ones during midlife. Stress, work pressure and everyday responsibilities can all affect mood and behaviour, so these shifts often seem normal at first.
However, researchers say some patterns may be worth paying attention to. Certain personality changes appearing in your 40s or 50s could sometimes be linked to early brain changes associated with dementia.
Early behavioural changes
Dementia is often associated with older age, but it can develop earlier. The World Health Organization estimates that around 10 million new dementia cases are diagnosed globally each year.
Researchers are increasingly studying subtle behavioural signals that may appear long before memory problems become obvious.
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According to reporting by the Daily Mail, professor Gill Livingston, a specialist in old-age psychiatry at University College London, has examined personality traits in midlife that may be linked to a higher dementia risk later in life.
Patterns researchers noticed
One of the strongest indicators in Livingston’s research was a decline in personal confidence during midlife.
People who reported losing belief in their abilities were significantly more likely to develop dementia later.
Another early sign involved struggling with everyday challenges that were previously manageable. Scientists believe this may reflect early changes in the brain’s ability to cope with mental demands.
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Researchers also identified several other personality patterns connected to higher risk:
- persistent nervousness or high stress
- emotional withdrawal from others
- dissatisfaction with how tasks are completed
- difficulty concentrating on simple activities
Experts say staying socially active, exercising regularly and keeping the mind engaged through reading or learning may help support long-term brain health.
Sources: Daily Mail and LADbible
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