'I was diagnosed with dementia at 55 after brushing off surprising symptoms'

While most people will assume only affects older people, this wasn't the case for 55-year-old Andy Woodhead who was left stunned after a shock diagnosis from doctors.

There are approximately 70,800 people currently living with early onset dementia in the UK, where symptoms appear before the age of 65, and this represents 7.5 per cent of all those living with a dementia in the UK.

Andy had gone to the doctors after experiencing fatigue, balance issues and unusual tremors in his arm. Not suspecting anything major, he was left stunned after a consultant broke the news to him that he had young onset dementia, where the - but he was 10 years younger than that.

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The news left him devastated, and he slipped into a deep depression and claimed he hadn't been offered any support. "All I could think about was how I'd lose my independence and how I didn't want to become dependent on my husband, Bernard[...]. I also feared that I’d miss seeing my son grow up and reach key milestones in his life. Or the impact this would have on my mum – I was supporting her through her own dementia journey," he told .

But he said looking after his mum had "better prepared him" as he was very aware of the challenges looking after someone with the condition can have - such as the change in behaviour, the confusion and help that would be needed with everyday tasks.

"I have vascular dementia, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, but it was about five years after receiving my diagnosis that I started to experience some of the more common symptoms like changes in my mood and problems with short-term memory."

Andy was given the diagnosis in 2013, and at times he said his condition hadn't been easy on his husband. He said he's more argumentative, can't help around the house and can't cook anymore as he struggles to follow steps in order. He praises his husband's patience, but he's noticed those outside of his family started to treat him differently.

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He said they often didn't know how to talk to him, and they worried about how they might react to his diagnosis. Andy said some friends started to distance themselves, and one even told him he "didn't look like someone with dementia". Andy came across a local peer support group, and he realised he wasn't alone.

He met people who knew what he was going through, and it helped him to understand his condition a little better. "Now it’s been 12 years since I received my diagnosis, and while a lot has changed, one thing has remained constant: I’ve never allowed dementia to define me. I’ve always been a workaholic but, after Mum died during the pandemic, I started using that trait to try and help others living with young onset dementia by dedicating my time to researching and lecturing healthcare professionals to try and debunk the myths associated with the condition."

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Andy is now a Volunteer Ambassador for Dementia UK and is always telling people about the support available to them and how, some days he also still needs it. He revealed how he still has down days and will call their helpline and speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse for advice or support.

While he may not remember what day it is or if he's eaten breakfast, he said on a whole he's 'doing OK' and concentrates on all the things he can still do rather than feeling "frustrated and angry" about the things he can't. Andy said he is also still enjoying his life with his husband and family.

His biggest hope is that his story can be used as an educational tool to help people understand that dementia is not just a condition that affects older people.

If you need support with dementia, or need any advice, you can call the helpline and speak to an Admiral Nurse on .