Subjective Cognitive Decline(SCD) is when you notice something is off related to your brain. It is not really detectable on cognitive screening tests, and likely your family and friends don’t notice any differently. However- YOU notice.
Now, of course nobody wants to say their memory or brain is ‘off’... but what if you know something is 'off' and don't say anything- even though YOU KNOW something isn't quite right?
Well, you lose your power. That’s right! I said it. You lose the power you’ve been working on your whole life because you don't say “YES!” to yourself and your needs!
This blog is all about Subjective Cognitive Decline- and you will gain power when you read it. So read it! 😉
Subjective Cognitive Decline is…
Subjective Cognitive Decline or SCD is when you think, feel or know that your memory is getting worse, or you notice you’re having some bouts of confusion, or are having trouble doing normal activities that used to come easy- like paying bills, taking medicines, or completing chores.
Or, perhaps you were once a social butterfly and you now notice a shift in your behavior, a feeling of disconnect, or apathy about meeting up with your friends. Or, maybe you just feel like something is 'off', and you are not quite sure, but feel a desire to figure it out.
Subjective cognitive decline doesn’t really show up in many cognitive testing scenarios, but should absolutely be addressed by talking to your healthcare provider about it!
You feel or know that something is ‘off’
Subjective Cognitive Decline is when you feel or know that something is ‘off’ with the way you think, feel or know about yourself. Your family or significant other may not notice anything different, but you do- and that is what is important! YOU notice a difference in yourself. And guess what?
YOU are the boss of YOU! Maybe you have that knowing tingling in your tummy, or heart or that nagging sensation that something is a little bit off, maybe you know exactly what is off, or maybe you are a little unsure, but still have that little inkling…
Subjective things are open to interpretation
Subjective things are open to interpretation. Being subjective has feelings, and you can know, feel or be open to a difference in opinion than the person next to you.
For example, when you go to the grocery store to buy a fresh banana, the banana itself is not subjective, the banana is a fact, without interpretation.
Whether you think the banana is fresh or not, is subjective. You will choose which banana you think looks freshest, based on your perception, past experiences with bananas, whether you feel it is firm enough and so on. All the thoughts and decisions around which banana you pick are generally subjective and open to interpretation.
Dictionary.com defines subjective as, "existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought (opposed to objective). Pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual: a subjective evaluation. Placing excessive emphasis on one's own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc.; unduly egocentric."
Subjective is different than objective
Subjective is different from objective, because objective is not based on personal feelings, interpretations or prejudice, it is based on facts.
Objective information are things like, your blood pressure, your weight (although sometimes we might have a subjective opinion on that!), the make of the car you drive, or that butterflies taste with their feet. Objectives are facts, and not open to interpretation.
The things you feel, notice or become curious about are actual warning signs!
The things you feel, notice or become curious about are actual warning signs! A 2016 infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that less than half of the people with Subjective Cognitive Decline actually talked to their healthcare provider about the things they were feeling, noticing and felt ‘off’ about.
In my 20+ years as a Registered Nurse caring for patients with all kinds of health conditions, it is common to hear patients talk about their warning signs or symptoms nonchalantly.
I people say things like, "well, I noticed something was 'off', but I kept hoping it would go away." Or, something like, "I didn't want to worry my family." Or, "I planned to tell my doctor the next time I went in, but I never went in." Or, "I was too scared to let anyone know!"
In some cases, the symptoms became so 'normal' to them, they no longer noticed they were feeling any different than before.
The problem with this inattention to warning signs our beautiful body sends, is that a disease process, cell destruction, inflammation, and potential organ damage continues to brew below the surface, despite the warning signs.
It does not do you well to say “NO!” to yourself.
But what if you spoke up before the warning signs became an explosion?
You have an opinion about your own health!
The trend I see as a Registered Nurse who specializes in Brain Health, is that you know and feel, and have an opinion about your own state of health, and many of you are ignoring the warning signs your beautiful, strong and powerful brains and bodies are sending you!
The real truth is, you only have one brain and one body!
Ignoring, keeping secrets, or living in fear or apathy allows any disease to progress, grow and cause damage to your humanness and your life.
Staying silent breeds fear and isolation
Staying silent about potential Subjective Cognitive Decline breeds an environment of fear and isolation and the delay of helping yourself feel better.
Sometimes the cause of your memory problems could be something entirely different from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease!
The changes you feel could be related to other factors
The changes you feel could be related to other real factors in your life.
Things like, not enough sleep, or too much stress that causes you anxiety or loss of attention, not enough socialization, or food sensitivities that result in brain fog, or feelings of confusion.
Maybe your hearing is off, or your blood pressure is out of control, or your blood sugar is out of whack, or your vision needs to be corrected. Perhaps you are deficient in a needed nutrient, that could be resolved with a simple blood test.
And because you choose to use your power to address the ‘off’- you will create a pathway to feel vitality and ownership for your best life!
Understanding subjective cognitive decline is imperative
Understanding Subjective Cognitive Decline is imperative for early detection of, and then treatment of dementia, or other causes, so your needs are addressed quickly and you regain control and power over your health destiny!
Dementia cannot be cured, but early interventions are always more powerful. And that's what we want for you- POWER over yourself, your health and your health decisions.
Dementia is not a common cold
Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is not like a common cold, you don’t just wake up one morning with it. We are born with 100 billion brain cells and every day we lose some of them due to normal processes, like ageing.
The year over year loss of brain cells and neuronal connections from the tangles, plaques and inflammation of dementia is a slow, destructive process.
It can take decades for any signs of Subjective Cognitive Decline to appear!
Brain cell obliteration can be slowed through habits and behaviors like stress reduction, exercise, meditation, dancing, playing a musical instrument, socializing with friends, joining a book club, learning a new language, making sleep a priority, or eating foods that nourish you. Habits and behaviors are actions you can control to take action against and prevent dementia.
The US Department of Health and Human Services 2019 National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease notes that one key step to addressing Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia’s is to enhance public awareness and engagement- which is what we do here at Blue Monarch Health.
We help you become aware and engaged, so you stay connected with the possibilities that with certain lifestyle, behaviors and awareness, you can ward off diseases of the brain!
Just by reading this blog, you are using your power and one of the lifestyle strategies ‘Continue to Learn’, to become more aware of the potential for Subjective Cognitive Decline and dementia prevention for yourself, your family, your work colleagues and your community! Go YOU!
1.8 people reported subjective cognitive decline…what about the others?
The CDC's Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging National Data from 2018 shows that 10.8% of older adults (ages 50-65+) reported subjective cognitive decline or memory loss that happens more often or is getting worse in the preceding 12 months. That means, out of every 10 people, 1.8 people reported Subjective Cognitive Decline.
What about the other people who notice changes and do not report?
Many Miss out on opportunities to say yes to themselves!
Sadly, fear, silence, ignorance, wishing it were different and other thoughts make many people sadly miss out on the opportunity to say ‘yes!’ to themselves and help themselves take care of issues not related to dementia (stress, lack of sleep, food sensitivities, toxic exposure etc).
Or if it is related to early stage dementia, they fail to get early assessment and treatment and fail to shift their lifestyle to accommodate a more brain healthy environment.
Out of the 10.8% who reported SCD, 37.6% reported that Subjective Cognitive Decline or memory loss interfered with their ability to engage in social activities or household chores.
The reason I share this information, is to help you see, that Subjective Cognitive Decline is REAL and you are not alone.
The many courageous people who have noticed changes in their normal behaviors and who said YES to themselves and their power, have received the help they deserve, so what about you?
WHAT CAN I DO?
Establish a Baseline
Why not establish a baseline of where you are in your brain health, right now?
If you think you are experiencing changes in memory, or have difficulty doing regular tasks that were easy for you before- like paying bills, or mopping the floor, or if you lose track of time or place; if you have trouble finding the right words, or are losing things often, or have extreme mood swings, or have trouble making decisions; SEE YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER!!!
Or, if you are not having any of these symptoms and are simply curious, establish a baseline test result to see where your brain health is at.
Get some SAGE Advice
One reliable, easy to administer at home test is called, the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE), developed by the Department of Neurology at Ohio State University. The SAGE takes about 10-15 minutes and has 12 questions. It includes questions about short-term memory, names of animals or objects, simple math, orientation, problem-solving and clock-drawing. You can print out the exam form and do it all in the comfort of your home and you can choose to share your results with your family, your doctor, or, (and we don’t recommend this) keep the results to yourself.
Please note, the SAGE is not designed to give you a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the results are best interpreted by a healthcare professional, but your choice to complete it is an excellent step in taking power over your health, your vitality and your life!
I’ve Taken the sage.
I’ve taken the SAGE. My Memere (grandmother in French), loved (she sure did love!) through 13 different strokes so I am very aware of how dementia can overtake a loved one.
I also wanted to know how it felt to take the exam.
I admit, while the blank questions lay in front of me, I was soooo nervous! But once I found the courage to do it, I found relief and established a baseline for my future health. You can take the SAGE test here. Do it now. There is nothing to lose.
Subjective Cognitive Decline Highlights
Subjective Cognitive Decline is real.
Have courage to share the things you notice or feel ‘off’ about with your significant other or your healthcare provider.
The signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, even if family members don’t see them are warning signs and you have the power to address them!
Early detection of dementia offers you many choices to slow its progression through the behaviors and habits you do every day.
You can BUILD Brain Health by enhancing certain habits and behaviors in your lifestyle, and sometimes you need help from a professional who has the skills to help you!
Take the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam to find your baseline.
Take the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam to give yourself peace of mind and to show your healthcare provider.
Consider saying “YES!” to yourself by joining our BUILD Your Health System to live with vitality and ward off diseases like dementia.
Nicole Vienneau, MSN, RN, NC-BC
~Health Protection Expert & ‘Head’ Motivator!
Nicole knows how to inspire you with habits and behaviors that ward off illness. She understands the science to support your efforts and makes learning and action fun!
Nicole’s Memere (grandma in French) lived with dementia after 13 strokes slowly stole her fire, her wit and her voice. Through Memere, Nicole learned the gift of humor, and creative ways of communicating using unsaid words and messages that can be difficult to express. Nicole uses these skills to create purpose, vitality and health with the Build Your Health System at Blue Monarch Health, PLLC
Nicole achieved a Master’s in Nursing Science from the University of Arizona, and a board certification in Integrative Nurse Coaching from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation. She is a personal trainer, yoga teacher and group fitness instructor and enjoys healing in nature while hiking the Pacific Northwest trails with her husband or lounging in the sun with her cat babies. Email Nicole