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August question.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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FTD patients usually show aggressive behaviors. If this isn't manifested, and the patient is not on medication to control behavior, a neurologist would question the diagnosis.
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Reply to DrBenshir
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Ariadnee Aug 21, 2025
My husband had an MRI-the neurologist sat with me to review the imaging results. A second imaging-CT scan with contrast, done a year later showed the same regions typically afflicted by FTD. A second opinion at PennMemory Center, done by Dr. Pesking-Manning-an expert in the field, and a great neurologist. She has a book “One Molecule FromMadness.” She spent over an hour with us. She confirmed the diagnosis-and reviewed the imaging results. Overall my husband is calm. As is my friend’s husband and the loved ones in the Zoom caregiving groups. A hallmark of FTD is lack of empathy-which countermands aggression.
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otis123: It may be a dementia behavior.
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Why are you asking? Are you a caregiver for someone with FTD? My husband has it. He was agitated once in five years. I’m part of two FTD caregiver Zoom support groups. Anger is not discussed much. Lack of empathy, no conversations, memory issues come up often.
Dementia manifests so differently from person to person. Even with a formal diagnosis, imaging of the afflicted parts of the brain, and it can go sideways for no reason at all and morph into a different version of itself.
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My dad had FTD and he had periods of exaggerated emotions, like he would fly into a rage for no reason, or scream with frustration over dropping a fork or yell at people in grocery stores. And he also had periods of zero emotional reaction, and extreme lack of concern. Like he would ignore my mother shouting for help in pain.

here is a good site:

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/frontotemporal-dementia-and-other-frontotemporal-disorders#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20FTD%2C%20behavioral,Primary%20progressive%20aphasia

Problems planning and sequencing
Difficulty prioritizing tasks or activities
Repeating the same activity or saying the same word over and over
Acting impulsively or saying or doing inappropriate things without considering how others perceive the behavior
Becoming uninterested in family or activities they used to care about
Displaying flat, exaggerated, or improper emotions that seem disconnected from the situation
Difficulty reading social signals, seeming to lack empathy
Compulsive eating or taking food from others’ plates
Over time, language and/or movement problems may occur, and the person living with bvFTD will need more care and supervision.
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Reply to Suzy23
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My dad had FTD and never exhibited signs of anger. That said, everybody is different and FTD manifests differently.
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Reply to JRwornout
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Yes, and in fact it's pretty common with all of the dementias, as often the person is well aware that they are losing their mental abilities and get very upset about that.
I would be angry about that as well, wouldn't you?
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Knowingtruth Nov 2, 2025
I would but I would try really hard not to take my anger out on LO’s. Or abandon an adult child I will need in my final chapter.
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Yes.
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