Frontotemporal disease : Behavioral changes

The primary symptoms of frontotemporal dementia are marked by profound shifts in behavior and personality. These changes typically encompass:

• Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills. For example, not being sensitive to another person's feelings.

• Lack of judgment.

• Loss of inhibition.

• Lack of interest, also known as apathy. Apathy can be mistaken for depression.

• Compulsive behaviors such as tapping, clapping, or smacking lips over and over.

• A decline in personal hygiene.

• Changes in eating habits. People with FTD typically overeat or prefer to eat sweets and carbohydrates.

• Eating objects.

• Compulsively wanting to put things in the mouth.