Media Coverage: Dr Dominic Greenyer Warns Early Dementia Signs Are Often Missed

Dr Dominic Greenyer, Private GP at The Health Suite in Leicester, has shared expert advice in a national health feature highlighting two lesser-known symptoms of dementia that are frequently mistaken for stress, ageing or life changes.

While memory loss is widely recognised as a key dementia symptom, Dr Greenyer explains that it is not always the first sign people experience.

“People are so tuned in to memory loss that they can miss the signs sitting right in front of them. By the time a family connects these changes to a possible dementia diagnosis, months or even years can have gone by.”

Dr Greenyer urged people to be aware of changes in behaviour and personality, particularly in conditions such as frontotemporal dementia, where these symptoms can appear before noticeable memory problems.

He explained:

“These changes may be attributed to a marriage under strain, or a midlife crisis, for a long time before they seek help. It’s completely understandable, but it can delay a diagnosis that would actually bring relief and answers.”

The GP also highlighted visual and spatial difficulties as another early warning sign that can be overlooked. These may include struggling with judging distances while driving, becoming lost in familiar places, difficulty recognising faces or finding busy environments harder to navigate.

Dr Greenyer said:

“This is one of the least recognised early signs of dementia, because nothing about it looks like forgetting. People blame their eyesight, their concentration, or just having an off day – sometimes for years before they seek help.”

He emphasised that recognising subtle changes early can help individuals and families access medical advice, support and appropriate assessment sooner. Through his expert commentary, Dr Greenyer continues to raise awareness that dementia symptoms can extend beyond memory loss, encouraging people to seek advice when they notice persistent changes in behaviour, personality or daily functioning.

Click here to read the complete article “Two dementia symptoms often mistaken for stress, according to a GP” in Express.