Living with Lewy body dementia: personal stories and support

Living with Lewy Body Dementia: Personal Stories and Support

Lewy body dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that affects a person’s thinking, behavior, and movement. It is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s, impacting about 1.4 million people in the United States alone. This condition is characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies in the brain, leading to a range of challenging symptoms.

### Understanding the Symptoms

People with Lewy body dementia often experience visual hallucinations, delusions, and sleep disorders. Anxiety, depression, and apathy are common emotional challenges. Cognitive fluctuations, where thinking abilities change from day to day or even hour to hour, are also typical. These fluctuations can make it difficult to concentrate, multitask, or react to new situations. Memory loss is less common in Lewy body dementia compared to other forms of dementia, but it can still occur.

### Personal Stories

Living with Lewy body dementia can be incredibly challenging, both for those diagnosed and their families.