The early symptoms of Huntington’s disease can be very subtle and it is not always easy to know for sure whether the problem you are worrying about is caused by the illness. For example, what if you were having a stressful time and noticed that your memory did not seem to work as well or that you felt tired more often than usual. The problem is that stress can cause these symptoms and so can HD so it may not be possible to tell which is which. It is also very common to watch for symptoms and this may make you worried that you havesymptoms even if you do not.

Every person is likely to have different symptoms of Huntington’s disease. Some people with the illness first have problems with their motor control. This leads to problems with involuntary movements, which you might notice as jerks or twitches or exaggerated gestures. Sometimes slight changes in balance and coordination occur, which lead to clumsiness or difficulty carrying out tasks that need fine movement control Some other people with the illness may first experience changes in mood, for example, having sudden changes in mood or being more irritable. Depression and anxiety can also occur. Many people with early symptoms also say that they have more difficulty concentrating or planning. You may also feel more fatigued or find it harder to get motivated. The ways in which this might affect your day-to-day life are varied but can include: finding it harder to concentrate when driving or feeling less motivated in your job. It could also mean that you are less tolerant of people or that you find yourself getting angry with a partner over things that would not normally bother you.

It usually takes at least 15 years for the disease to run its course, sometimes longer. Particularly during the last half of those years, the affected person will need help with household chores and personal care. As a caregiver, you can help by anticipating changes in function that may trigger new concerns and preparing in advance for each new set of challenges that you and the person for whom you are caring will encounter.