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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to wonder if my friend has early dementia?

30 replies

asiatic · 11/02/2012 18:31

How would I know? Should I raise my concerns with her? She is mid 50s, single, no family, highly intelligent, well qualified, good job, but more and more often seems to be speaking total nonsense. She is insulting, paranoid or just totally illogical part of the time, then normal and intelligent part of the time. It is hard to give examples as I don't want to be specific, but she has been told she is in danger of losing her job, and her response was it is just jealousy because she is so beautiful. ( she isn't beautiful, just normal looking) She thinks these threats are because she doesn't want to sleep with the boss ( 20 years younger, and engaged - I very much doubt he has made any advances) She also beleives someone is following her around trying to steal her glasses, she keeps losing them. She is also forgetting to wash herselt or brush her hair. Then again she will suddenly be totally on the ball, and explain really complicated economic concepts to me clearly and lucidly. Then suddenly start telling me I am stupid for not knowing it already, or start explaining how many pence in a pound, as if she really thinks I don't know. What is going on?

OP posts:
TheGrandOldDuke · 12/02/2012 16:48

Yes ironically my dad passed his eye test too...there's nothing wrong with his eyes, it's the bit of the brain computing what his eyes are telling him that has plaques on it :-( def sounds worth persuading her to have some investigation.

ImperialBlether · 12/02/2012 16:51

She has no family, so she has to rely on her friends acting in her best interests.

You really must get help for her.

I'm not sure about her job, but in mine it's much better to retire early due to ill health than it is to just leave.

mockingjay · 12/02/2012 17:46

One more suggestion, can you get her boss on side? It sounds like you may have met him from the details you give. If he's generally nice and concerned, he might be able to back you up to the GP. Two people would have more clout than one.

Whirliwig72 · 12/02/2012 18:21

How very distressing for you both. You are a lovely friend to be concerned. I agree a quiet word with a family member is the way to go. She most likely realises something's not right but may be too terrified to investigate.

Whirliwig72 · 12/02/2012 18:24

Sorry just read no family around - hmmm you will need to talk her into seeing someone. Oh dear I don't envy you that role. Hugs to you.

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