Do people with Alzheimer’s Know They Have It?
Many family caregivers want to know – “Do people with Alzheimer’s know they have it?”
You might be surprised to learn that some people are not aware that they have Alzheimer’s.
People with Alzheimer’s, dementia, brain tumor, stroke, and other types of damage in the brain are cognitively impaired and, because of that, might not believe anything is wrong with them.
Sometimes, this is caused by anosognosia (pronounced ah-no-sog-NOH-zee-uh, hear it here).
The meaning of anosognosia is “to not know a disease” and isn’t the same as being in denial.
Anosognosia = Someone Who Isn't Aware of Their Condition
Anosognosia causes someone not to be aware of their health condition. It’s common in some cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s.
So, if someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and also has anosognosia, they won’t know or believe that they have it.
Each person is unique, so the symptoms of anosognosia might vary. Symptoms may also change over time and might even change during a day.
For example, a person might sometimes understand what’s going on and other times believe that they’re fine.
Because of this inconsistent behavior, some family and friends might not even know something is wrong, even if they notice that some behaviors seem unusual.
Anosognosia and Denial Aren't the Same Thing
When someone is in denial, they’re aware of a fact, but refuse to accept it.
But with anosognosia, someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t in denial. They’re not even aware that they’re cognitively impaired.
The disease has damaged their brain and makes it impossible for them to be aware of what’s happening.
Symptoms of Anosognosia
Not being aware of cognitive impairment can affect one’s understanding of memory, general thinking skills, emotions, or physical abilities.
For example, they might have trouble with language, like an inability to find the words for everyday objects or simple tasks.
However, they might try to explain these situations by saying they forgot or are tired.
Or, if they miss an appointment, forget to change dirty clothes, or leave food unrefrigerated, they’ll probably still make excuses and insist that there’s nothing wrong.
And even if it’s evident to others that they need help, they’ll likely insist that they’re just fine and able to care for themselves.
They might even get angry or defensive if you remind them about their cognitive impairment because they’re convinced that there’s no problem.
Recommended for you:
- 15 Insightful Dementia Communication Tips
- 3 Stages of Dementia: What to Expect as the Disease Progresses
- Therapeutic Fibbing: Why Experts Recommend Lying to Someone With Dementia
About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
