What are the weird symptoms of dementia?

Oct 15, 2025 4 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia. While memory loss is a well-known symptom, there are many other lesser-known and unusual signs that can serve as early indicators of this progressive condition, revealing a more complex picture than often perceived.

Quick Summary

Unusual or out-of-character behaviors, such as strange eating habits, a loss of empathy, and difficulty recognizing sarcasm, can be surprising early indicators of dementia, pointing toward cognitive changes beyond basic memory impairment.

Key Points

Behavioral Changes: Loss of inhibition, apathy, or uncharacteristic rudeness can signal underlying neurological changes associated with dementia.
Eating Habits: Sudden, intense cravings for sweet foods, poor table manners, and even attempting to eat non-food items can be strange but genuine symptoms.
Visual Perception: Problems with depth perception, frequent falls, and visual hallucinations can be linked to how the brain processes images, not just an eye problem.
Social Impairment: Difficulty recognizing sarcasm or lies and a profound loss of empathy for others can indicate damage to the parts of the brain responsible for social cues.
Repetitive Actions: Compulsive behaviors, such as hoarding, repeated humming, or checking locks, often emerge as a coping mechanism for a confusing world.
Motor Skills: Some forms of dementia can cause physical issues like frequent stumbling and slow, stiff movements that may resemble Parkinson's disease.
Seeking Help: Early recognition of unusual symptoms and consulting a medical professional is crucial for a timely diagnosis and appropriate support.

Beyond Memory Loss: Unpacking the Uncommon Symptoms of Dementia

While most people associate dementia with forgetfulness and a decline in memory, the reality is that its symptoms are far more varied and can manifest in peculiar and unexpected ways. These lesser-known signs, which can include dramatic personality shifts, strange eating habits, and visual disturbances, often go unnoticed or are mistakenly attributed to other causes. Understanding the full spectrum of weird symptoms of dementia is crucial for early detection and for providing appropriate care for affected individuals.

Peculiar Changes in Behavior and Personality

Dementia is not just a disease of the memory; it's a condition that can fundamentally alter a person's behavior and personality. These changes can be particularly distressing for family members who may feel they no longer recognize their loved one. The shift is not a conscious choice but a direct result of brain changes affecting judgment, impulse control, and social understanding.

Loss of Empathy and Social Inhibition: A person who was once kind and considerate might suddenly become rude, insensitive, or indifferent to the feelings of others. This is often an involuntary loss of the ability to empathize, a symptom frequently associated with frontotemporal dementia.
Unusual Impulsivity and Actions: Impulsive or rash behavior, such as shoplifting or making inappropriate comments, can surface without a person realizing their actions are out of character or socially unacceptable.
Compulsive or Repetitive Behaviors: Some individuals may develop a new, obsessive-compulsive tendency, like hoarding objects, repeatedly checking if doors are locked, or performing repetitive hand movements or noises. This behavior stems from a need for order and familiarity in a world that is becoming confusing.

Bizarre Dietary Habits

One of the more unsettling symptoms involves a significant change in a person's relationship with food and drink. This isn't just a matter of taste but a neurological shift that alters appetite, preferences, and even table manners.

Sweet Cravings and Overeating: A sudden, insatiable craving for sugary foods and a complete disregard for healthy eating are common. This can lead to rapid weight gain and health issues.
Eating Non-Food Items: In some advanced cases, individuals may attempt to eat inedible objects, such as paper or flowers, due to a profound confusion between what is food and what is not.
Poor Table Manners: Once-refined table manners can devolve, with individuals eating sloppily, cramming food into their mouths, or eating from other people's plates. These actions are a loss of learned social conventions rather than deliberate rudeness.

Sensory and Perceptual Issues

While vision problems are typically associated with the eyes, dementia can affect how the brain interprets visual information, leading to baffling perceptual issues.

Depth Perception Problems: Difficulty judging distances can cause frequent falls or trouble navigating stairs. This is not due to a problem with the eyes themselves but with the brain's processing of visual data.
Visual Hallucinations: Seeing things that aren't there is a known symptom, particularly in Lewy body dementia. These hallucinations can be detailed and very upsetting to the person experiencing them.
Inability to Recognize Objects (Agnosia): A person might see an object, like a fork, but be unable to name it or recall its use. They might be able to describe it but the connection to its purpose is lost.

Comparing Common vs. Uncommon Dementia Symptoms

To better understand the distinction, consider the following table that contrasts typical expectations with the surprising realities of the disease.


Feature	Commonly Recognized Dementia Symptoms	Uncommon or 'Weird' Dementia Symptoms
Memory	Forgetting recent events, people's names	Forgetting what common objects are for, confusing past and present
Language	Difficulty finding words, repeating phrases	Inability to understand sarcasm or nuance, using words incorrectly
Behavior	Mood swings, social withdrawal	Loss of empathy, unusual impulsivity, compulsive behaviors
Physical	Wandering, unsteady gait	Frequent slips or falls, visual disturbances (hallucinations, depth perception issues)
Senses	General confusion	Changes in food preferences, poor table manners, eating non-food items

The Importance of Recognition and Communication

Witnessing these strange symptoms can be frightening and confusing for family and caregivers. The crucial first step is to recognize that these are symptoms of a disease, not a reflection of the person's character. Communicating openly with medical professionals about all observed changes, no matter how insignificant they seem, can help lead to a more accurate diagnosis.

It's also important for caregivers to remember that patience and empathy are key. The individual is not acting out of malice. The brain is literally rewiring itself, and this can lead to unpredictable behaviors. Support groups and resources can provide guidance and a sense of community for those navigating these challenges.

Seeking Medical Expertise and Support

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these odd symptoms, consulting a doctor is essential. A comprehensive medical evaluation can differentiate between normal aging and the early signs of dementia. Healthcare professionals can assess cognitive function, motor skills, and behavioral patterns to provide a proper diagnosis.

For additional support and resources, the Alzheimer's Society offers valuable information and tools for families navigating dementia. Connecting with others in similar situations can also provide immense relief and practical advice.

Conclusion: Moving from Confusion to Clarity

Understanding that dementia encompasses a broad and sometimes bizarre range of symptoms can shift the focus from a simple memory disorder to a complex neurological condition requiring comprehensive care. By learning to identify the strange and unusual signs, we can approach the diagnosis and management of dementia with greater awareness and empathy. This understanding can reduce the stigma surrounding the disease and ensure that individuals receive the specialized support they need for a better quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia, can cause significant and often sudden shifts in personality. The person may become more apathetic, lose their social inhibitions, or exhibit uncharacteristic insensitivity and rudeness, which are involuntary results of the disease affecting the brain's frontal lobe.

Strange eating habits, such as a strong preference for sweets or gorging on food, are a result of neurological changes affecting the appetite center of the brain. The person may no longer recognize satiety signals or understand the social norms associated with eating. In some cases, this can lead to a fixation on certain types of food.

Losing empathy is a symptom of dementia, especially frontotemporal dementia. It is caused by brain changes that interfere with the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of others. This is a manifestation of the disease and not a deliberate act by the individual.

Beyond standard eyesight issues, dementia can cause problems with depth perception, making it difficult to navigate stairs or recognize familiar objects. Visual hallucinations, where a person sees things that aren't there, can also occur, particularly with Lewy body dementia.

Yes, compulsive and repetitive behaviors can be a symptom. This might manifest as repeatedly checking locks, hoarding, or engaging in repetitive physical actions. These behaviors are often an attempt to create a sense of order and predictability in a world that is becoming increasingly confusing due to cognitive decline.

Frequent slips and falls can be an early sign of dementia because the condition can affect coordination and depth perception. The brain's ability to process visual information correctly or to send motor commands for balance can be impaired, leading to a higher risk of accidents.

Coping with the strange symptoms of dementia requires a great deal of patience, empathy, and education. It is helpful to remember that the person is not in control of these actions. Caregivers can benefit from seeking support groups, consulting medical professionals for guidance, and implementing strategies to manage challenging behaviors, such as maintaining a consistent routine and a safe environment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.