How To Spot Pick's Disease (Frontotemporal Dementia)

Language & Speech Issues

Unfortunately, one of the most common and noticeable symptoms of Pick’s disease is the patient will begin to experience language and speech issues as the disease progresses. Depending on the type of frontotemporal dementia the patient has, their ability to verbalize and comprehend language can become incredibly challenging as the temporal lobes in the brain begin to change.

Some signs of speech and language difficulties include a loss of vocabulary, speaking slowly, trouble finding the right words to use when speaking or writing, unable to name objects, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, and repeating words others say. They will also have weak and uncoordinated speech sounds and a decrease in the overall ability to read or write properly. Once Pick’s disease has progressed to later stages, some patients may even completely lose their ability to speak.

Physical Signs To Be Aware Of

Similar to speech and language difficulties, some types of frontotemporal dementia can cause mobility issues similar to those observed with Parkinson’s disease. Some of the physical challenges a patient with Pick’s disease may experience include increased muscle rigidity or stiffness, general weakness throughout their body, a lack of coordination, difficulty moving around in general, and urinary incontinence. More symptoms include muscle weakness, balance issues, tremors, and muscle spasms as well.

Some patients even experience a shift in their physical appearance, especially their weight, as due to memory loss, may forget to eat meals throughout the day, therefore losing weight. On the flip side, some patients with Pick’s disease can begin to experience constant hunger pangs and feel hungry all the time, possibly developing an unhealthy ‘sweet tooth’ and eating more sugar and processed foods than before, resulting in weight gain.