Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can Anxiety Cause Poor Cognitive Skills Along With Dementia?
Question: I just sent the following to a neurologist on this website, and I really don't mean to be a nuisance here, or to come across as COMPLETELY whack out. On the contrary, I'm sending a follow-up to psychologist-psychiatrist because I believe a large part of my problem is psychological. I'm not sure what to do about it.
I have VERY severe health anxiety -- to the point of clinical hypochondriasis. I do recognize that about myself, and yet, in addition, I have an autoimmune condition, which has been with me for just over 11 years, and which has never been definitively diagnosed. (Low positive A.N.A. test that came back negative the second time.)
I'm a 45-year-old male. I'm fit and show no ostensible signs of illness. I work an exceptionally demanding bartending job, which requires me to work 11-to-13 hour shifts straight through. I'm also the manager of this jazz lounge, and so I work between 50 and 65 hours per week -- every week. I've been doing this the past 5 years with only one vacation in that time. Memory is an important part of my job, as is speed, dexterity, and stamina.
I've long noticed mild cognitive issues, ever since the onset of my initial illness, but over the course of the past three years, I've seen an increase in those cognitive issues. No one else, including my wife and co-workers, seems to notice anything. I'm obsessed that I'm developing some sort of dementia, even though I've been reassured by doctors that it is not that. And yet I've been seeing more articles on the subject of how mild cognitive problems, even in young(ish) people, are possibly early warning signs. I cannot shake the idea that that's what's happening to me, and in the past 24 hours, I've gotten so deep into my worries that I'm in a state of near panic.
If one begins noticing mild symptoms, is one fated to develop some form of dementia, or is there something one can do about it?
Or if not fated, exactly, are the odds stacked against? That, I suppose, is what primarily scares me. My neurologist said no, but I've seen articles online that suggest otherwise.
Also, how much of a factor is stress?
Can compulsive worrying and chronic anxiety create symptoms?
I thank you for your time.
I have VERY severe health anxiety -- to the point of clinical hypochondriasis. I do recognize that about myself, and yet, in addition, I have an autoimmune condition, which has been with me for just over 11 years, and which has never been definitively diagnosed. (Low positive A.N.A. test that came back negative the second time.)
I'm a 45-year-old male. I'm fit and show no ostensible signs of illness. I work an exceptionally demanding bartending job, which requires me to work 11-to-13 hour shifts straight through. I'm also the manager of this jazz lounge, and so I work between 50 and 65 hours per week -- every week. I've been doing this the past 5 years with only one vacation in that time. Memory is an important part of my job, as is speed, dexterity, and stamina.
I've long noticed mild cognitive issues, ever since the onset of my initial illness, but over the course of the past three years, I've seen an increase in those cognitive issues. No one else, including my wife and co-workers, seems to notice anything. I'm obsessed that I'm developing some sort of dementia, even though I've been reassured by doctors that it is not that. And yet I've been seeing more articles on the subject of how mild cognitive problems, even in young(ish) people, are possibly early warning signs. I cannot shake the idea that that's what's happening to me, and in the past 24 hours, I've gotten so deep into my worries that I'm in a state of near panic.
If one begins noticing mild symptoms, is one fated to develop some form of dementia, or is there something one can do about it?
Or if not fated, exactly, are the odds stacked against? That, I suppose, is what primarily scares me. My neurologist said no, but I've seen articles online that suggest otherwise.
Also, how much of a factor is stress?
Can compulsive worrying and chronic anxiety create symptoms?
I thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
Stress and severe anxiety results in poor focus
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. You are working hard in job and this is a stressful job. This is one of main aggravating factors resulting in your symptoms, in my opinion. If I consider the history you provided them factors which are against any organic cognitive decline are:
- No one has ever noticed the decline including your near ones.
- You have been to doctors including neurologists everyone reassured you that nothing is wrong.
- Your age is not the age at which individuals developed severe cognitive decline. Also you are working fine and there is no complaint from your work place (you haven't mentioned it)
- You have obsessional worries that you might develop cognitive decline. This also strengthens the fact that the cognitive decline is not organic.
Even under stressful situations, in severe anxiety individuals develop cognitive symptoms like lack of focus, poor concentration, benign forgetfulness etc. These symptoms usually don't progress to dementia and improvement in anxiety and stress results in reduction of these symptoms.
So in my opinion these symptoms are related to stress as no objective evidence is there for any organic cause of dementia. Still have doubts then visit a doctor and get yourself checked. MMSE or XXXXXXX mental status examination is a test that can help to find our cognitive decline if any.
Just to sum up-
- These mild symptoms will not progress to dementia. So chances are practically nil.
- Try to reduce your stress. Find time for yourself. Start taking Omega 3 Fatty Acids supplements and you will see improvement. Visit a doctor and go for MMSE as I have mentioned earlier also. Play brain stimulation puzzles like Sudoku, Crossword etc, this will help in focus.
- In my opinion stress and anxiety are major factors that are causing the symptoms.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again.
Stress and severe anxiety results in poor focus
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. You are working hard in job and this is a stressful job. This is one of main aggravating factors resulting in your symptoms, in my opinion. If I consider the history you provided them factors which are against any organic cognitive decline are:
- No one has ever noticed the decline including your near ones.
- You have been to doctors including neurologists everyone reassured you that nothing is wrong.
- Your age is not the age at which individuals developed severe cognitive decline. Also you are working fine and there is no complaint from your work place (you haven't mentioned it)
- You have obsessional worries that you might develop cognitive decline. This also strengthens the fact that the cognitive decline is not organic.
Even under stressful situations, in severe anxiety individuals develop cognitive symptoms like lack of focus, poor concentration, benign forgetfulness etc. These symptoms usually don't progress to dementia and improvement in anxiety and stress results in reduction of these symptoms.
So in my opinion these symptoms are related to stress as no objective evidence is there for any organic cause of dementia. Still have doubts then visit a doctor and get yourself checked. MMSE or XXXXXXX mental status examination is a test that can help to find our cognitive decline if any.
Just to sum up-
- These mild symptoms will not progress to dementia. So chances are practically nil.
- Try to reduce your stress. Find time for yourself. Start taking Omega 3 Fatty Acids supplements and you will see improvement. Visit a doctor and go for MMSE as I have mentioned earlier also. Play brain stimulation puzzles like Sudoku, Crossword etc, this will help in focus.
- In my opinion stress and anxiety are major factors that are causing the symptoms.
Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor, for your point-by-point, thoughtful response. It is much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation. Please contact again if you have more doubts.
Take care
Thanks for your appreciation
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation. Please contact again if you have more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
