BBC’s Dr Punam Reveals Seven Dementia Warning Signs That Show It’s More Than Just Forgetfulness

A leading doctor has urged people to stay alert to the early warning signs of dementia, saying catching it early could make a huge difference in how the condition is managed. With over 940,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK — and that number rising fast — recognizing the symptoms is more important than ever.

Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan broke down the tell-tale signs that are often brushed off as normal forgetfulness or aging. But these little red flags could be the start of something much more serious, and she stressed that spotting them early can open the door to vital support and treatment, reported Surry Live.

She explained that the symptoms can be quite varied because dementia itself comes in many forms — and to make things more complicated, other health issues can cause similar effects, particularly in younger people. “It’s important to know what to look out for,” she said.

Top of the list is memory loss, but not just the odd blank moment. “This can be forgetting recent events or conversations that you’ve had with people,” Dr Punam explained. It’s the kind of memory lapse that’s more noticeable and more frequent, not just forgetting where you left your glasses once in a while.

Another big one? Getting disoriented in places that should feel second nature. “They can lose track of dates but also places, getting lost in very familiar places is particularly common,” she said.

Then there’s the everyday stuff that suddenly becomes really difficult — things like cooking or handling bills. “Trouble completing familiar, everyday tasks. So, for example, cooking or managing your finances,” she said. It’s not just about forgetting a recipe — it’s the confusion around the whole process.

She also mentioned “poor judgment”, which could show up in unexpected ways — like someone making out-of-character decisions, such as giving away large amounts of money. Mood swings are another red flag. “If you start to notice things like anxiety, and onset sadness, depression, irritability, anger that doesn’t quite fit, you know it’s important to consider that.”

Dr Punam made it clear: if these signs start creeping in, don’t wait — speak to a doctor. “The sooner you speak to a doctor about these symptoms, the better,” she said.

Responding to a viewer’s concern about becoming more forgetful with age, Dr Punam offered some clarity. “Everyone forgets things from time to time. You know, you might have lost your keys or forgotten the name of somebody that you’ve just met,” she said. “With typical age-related memory changes, you will find where your keys were, you will maybe recall that name that you forgot earlier on. But if symptoms start to become more noticeable and start to impact your everyday life, that’s when we have to consider it being something more serious.”