Diagnosis
Young onset dementia
Diagnosing dementia early is important. You will be able to get the right help, treatments and support and plan for the future. You may also be able to take part in research studies. You should speak to your doctor about your concerns as soon as possible.
In this section:
How is young onset dementia diagnosed?
You should speak to your doctor about your concerns as soon as possible. It can be helpful to bring somebody that knows you well along to your appointment for support.
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Talking to your GP
Memory and thinking problems can be caused by lots of different conditions. If you speak to your GP, they should do some tests to find out what is causing any symptoms you are worried about.
During your appointment, your doctor may:
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Ask about your symptoms and medical history and may give you a physical check-up.
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Ask you to do some memory and thinking tests.
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Run blood tests, which may help the doctor to rule out other common causes for your symptoms like thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies.
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Make a referral to a memory clinic or specialist doctor such as a neurologist for further tests.
Memory clinic referrals
If your doctor suspects dementia, they may refer you to a memory clinic or another specialist clinic. Here, a doctor or nurse will run through some further questions and tests with you.
These tests may include:
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A brain scan to look for changes in the structure of your brain or to rule out other causes of your symptoms.
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In-depth memory and thinking tests.
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A lumbar puncture which can help to detect “markers” of some of the diseases that cause dementia in a sample of your spinal fluid.
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Genetic counselling if there is a strong family history of young onset dementia.
Below you can hear about from Zac about his dad Imran's diagnosis of young onset Alzheimer's disease.
No two people experience dementia the same. If you are worried about any of the symptoms mentioned on this page, talk to your doctor.
How long does it take to get a diagnosis of young onset dementia?
People who experience dementia symptoms at a younger age may find it takes longer to get a diagnosis or referral. This is because young onset dementia is less common, and the symptoms can look different from those usually linked with dementia in older adults.
Sometimes doctors may not immediately recognise these symptoms in younger people, and may think they are due to other common conditions such as stress, depression or menopause.
This can mean you need to visit the doctor more than once before getting answers. If this happens, it can be helpful to ask for a second opinion with a different doctor, as doctors have different areas of experience.
You have the right to an accurate diagnosis and to know what type of dementia you have. This will mean you can get the right treatments and support for you. It’s important to keep seeking help if you are worried about your health.
Some doctors may not recognise dementia symptoms in younger people and put the concerns down to other common conditions like stress, depression or menopause. It is a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms and how they affect your everyday life, as this can be helpful to show doctors when you have appointments.
However, because it can be challenging to diagnose young onset dementia, you may need to visit the doctor more than once.
If you are worried about your health, you have the right to an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes doctors have different specialities and requesting a second opinion with a different doctor can be helpful.
You can also contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, who are dementia specialist nurses. Alternatively, you can book a free video appointment with an Admiral Nurse. They can provide support and advice on all aspects of dementia, including support around getting a diagnosis.
Downloads
Dementia information
This booklet aims to give an introduction to young onset dementia. It’s for anyone who might be worried about themselves or somebody else.
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PDF, 3.8 MB, 17 pages
Order health information
Alzheimer's Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.
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This information was updated in March 2026 and is due for review in March 2028. It was written by Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you'd like a referenced copy.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
