A report aired by Tallahassee news station WTXL27 shares how FTD has affected the lives of a local couple. Larry Davis told reporter Maya Sargent that his FTD diagnosis and the associated behavioral symptoms upended the plans he and his wife, Betty, had made for retirement.

“I thought we could go out and travel a lot and do whatever we wanted,” Davis said. “Short-tempered, and I’d blow up and just about anything. If somebody ticked me off, you better get out of my way.”

The couple told Sargent that they’ve struggled to explain what the diagnosis means to family and friends. Betty noted that the diagnosis has also put strains on their family relationships.

“Our sons are estranged from us because of his behavior,” Betty said.

Interviewed by Sargent for the report, AFTD CEO Susan L-J Dickinson emphasized that one of the most problematic aspects of FTD is how commonly it is misdiagnosed. Symptoms common in FTD overlap with many other conditions, from psychiatric disorders to other neurodegenerative diseases.

“We see depression, we can see schizophrenia, bipolar disease, sometimes Alzheimer’s, if there’s a movement component sometimes Parkinson’s,” Dickinson told Sargent.

While there is currently no cure for FTD, Dickinson told Sargent there is growing hope in research. Additionally, Dickinson noted that AFTD is preparing “to launch a major advocacy campaign to really help policymakers understand the special needs of younger people who suffer from some form of dementia.”

The diagnostic process for FTD can be complex and challenging, so AFTD developed diagnostic checklists to help families and physicians identify red flags for the two most common types of FTD.

If you have questions about diagnosis, treatment, or anything related to FTD, the AFTD HelpLine can provide guidance and understanding. Contact the HelpLine at 1-866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org.