A father of two has revealed how he began experiencing signs of dementia in his 30s, years before being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 41 years old. Fraser, an Australian YouTuber who runs the channel I (Don’t) Have Dementia, shared his journey in a recent video, detailing the first red flags that something was wrong.
“It’s funny because I don’t remember what my symptoms really were initially,” he said. “All I remember was having some pretty big memory flaws.” One of the first warning signs came when he sat down to watch a movie, only to be told by his partner that they had already seen it just a month prior. Despite this, Fraser had no recollection of it at all, and even the ending was a complete surprise.
As time went on, Fraser’s symptoms evolved. He began noticing more significant memory lapses, particularly when trying to remember details about his teenage daughters’ lives. Eventually, his cognitive abilities started to decline, affecting his ability to think deeply.
“I find that I have more surface-level thinking now, more shallow thinking,” he explained. “I don’t process things as deeply as I used to.”
One of the most alarming incidents occurred when he forgot that his daughter had told him she was going to the movies. That night, when he couldn’t reach her, he spiralled into panic, frantically calling her friends and even considering contacting the police. Only for her to later call and remind him that she had told him about her plans multiple times.
To cope with his memory struggles, Fraser and his daughters have come up with a simple but effective system: they now text him whenever they go out, even if they have already told him in person. This allows him to check his messages and reassure himself of their whereabouts.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s is rare, with most cases occurring in people over 65. However, Fraser’s story highlights the importance of recognising early symptoms, even in younger adults.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis can help individuals and their families prepare and seek support.
Fraser continues to share his experiences online, raising awareness of what it’s like to live with young-onset dementia and offering insights into a condition that is often overlooked in younger people.