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It may not be healthy to be an introvert, at least when it comes to your risk of dementia. A new study published in the journal Neurology suggests that introverted, nonsocial, and worry prone people may be at an increased risk for dementia.
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The researchers in this study looked at over five hundred older people who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. They used questionnaires and interviews to determine the personality type of each participant along with their social habits, with a particular emphasis on how often they participated in group activities or socialized with others. They followed this group over a six year period keeping records of their mental status.
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It was found that older people who had calm, easy going personalities and were outgoing and socially active had the lowest risk of dementia of all, with those who were less socially active, but calm and not prone to worry also having a reduced risk of dementia. Those older people who were introverted, isolated, and prone to worry appeared to have the highest risk of developing this devastating condition.
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From this study, it appears that the risk for dementia is at least somewhat related to a person’s personality and social habits. Being calm and easy going as well as being extroverted and social seems to lower the risk of dementia in older people.
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Why would an optimistic and extroverted personality decrease the risk for dementia? It’s not completely known, but there are a variety of possibilities. Previous studies have shown that older people who stimulate their minds with new mental challenges have a lower Alzheimer’s disease risk. A person who’s extroverted and social will be more likely to be exposed to new thoughts and ideas which may help to keep the brain stimulated. The researchers in this study also point out that people who are calm, easy going, and less neurotic handle stress better which may also play a role in whether or not a person develops symptoms of dementia.
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Although this is an important observation, many other factors contribute to the risk of dementia including genetics as well as the presence of other medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, diet, and use of alcohol and drugs. This appears to be one risk factor that can be at least be partially controlled.
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The bottom line? Older people should be encouraged to socialize and form strong social ties with others to help reduce their sense of isolation. Finding more effective ways to deal with life’s every day stresses and reduce worry may also help to reduce the chance of developing this common, but serious brain disease.
Comments
frischy said
on 9/24/2009 Oh, I should add that I am not being at all critical. This is a very interesting article. It just got me wondering. :-)
frischy said
on 9/24/2009 I have not seen the original study, but is it possible that people who are developing dementia, but not yet fitting diagnostic criteria, become withdrawn years before the classic scenerio becomes clinically measurable? Maybe the researchers were not seeing the original personalities of the seniors who went on to develop dementia, but rather documented some kind of prodromal red flags?