Stages

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is it's own beast. No two people have the same journey in the same time stages. For my husband, we noticed he was acting out of character probably 6+ years ago. It started with some bizarre things, like being way too intimate and familiar with waitresses and cashiers. He became loud, obnoxious, outgoing, which was odd from a man whom I had always known to be shy, quiet, and one to avoid the spotlight. He lost his motivation, drive, and passions. As the years have passed, his symptoms have become much more evident and greater. As I did a lot of research, I looked for what the different stages looked like and found some information, but not a great deal. With that in mind, these are the symptoms my husband is now experiencing:

Apathy
Anxiety (extremely high)
Anger
Agitation
Irritability
No Insight and a Lack of Understanding (sometimes no memory) of his Behavior
Self Centered, downright Narcissistic sometimes, Selfish
Mean, Emotionally and Verbally Abusive
Overuse of Alcohol (hides, lies about it)
No Tolerance
Frightened
Distrustful
Confused
Forgets Words/Mixes words up/Makes up Words
Hyper focused on trivial things
Trouble with temperature changes (too hot/too cold)
Inattention
Paranoia
Cognitive/Executive Functioning Troubles
Critical of Others
Very Outspoken and Loud
Extreme Political Opinions and Rigid about those Opinions
Mood Changes (rapid mood swings)
Trouble with time/date (i.e. says something happened last week when it was yesterday)
Disinterested in Other's Problems or Opinions
Talks Less
Chokes sometimes/Coughs/Gags
Impatient
Loss of Logic
Hoarding (only certain things)
Weakness, Loss of Strength
Occasional Shuffling Gait
Unsteady
Shakes sometimes
Craves Carbs (before this, he only wanted meat and veggies)
Extreme Personality Changes
Delusions
Repetitive Movements
Short Term Memory Difficulty
Blackouts
No Motivation
Loses Things/Careless
Does not Express Affection (from a man who was previously very affectionate!)
Pouts/Tantrums
Hostility
Some Long Term Memory Lapses
Grunts (has done this a few times)
Answers questions with a sentence that makes no sense
Overwhelmed in Public
Overreacts or Under Reacts
Tactless
Rude
Weight Gain
Flat/Blank Facial Expression
Poor Hygiene (fights the prompt to shower) Wears the same clothes for a week (crazy hair!)
Lies/Hides things/Rummages around house
Vivid Nightmares
Sleep Talking/Acting Out
Staring
Difficulty Performing smaller tasks/chores
Restless
Little to No Sympathy/Empathy/Compassion
Can be Aggressive but nothing Physical (hope it never happens!)
Crying/Sadness
No Enjoyment of things that used to bring pleasure or entertainment
Some Incontinence (double)
He failed to recognize me once (said, "who are you? I don't know you!")
Rarely Smiles
Confusion
Trouble choosing clothing to wear

As for where in the progression of FTD this falls, it's anyone's guess. It is so cruel to have to watch your sweetheart go through this disease knowing you can do nothing. PLUS, you have to be at the receiving end of abuse that really is no one's fault. It makes you question your own purpose and sanity. You seriously want to run away! Please pray for a cure!

Bonus moment of the evening: My husband decided he wanted a meatball sandwich from Subway for dinner. He said he was going to put those "hair things" on it at home. I said hair things? He said yes, those round hair things in a jar.....  (pepperoncinis).