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Symptoms
Although people can first exhibit signs of HD at any age, most people first show them when they are in their
30s and 40s. Thus, HD is described as an “adult-onset disease”. As a progressive disease, HD begins very
subtly and only the person with HD, close friends or relatives, and the trained eye of a physician can detect
its earliest signs. It progresses in stages, slowly advancing for many years.
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 haves symptoms 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.
Scottish Huntingtons Association,
Thistle House,
Tel; 01505 322245,
email: sha-admin@hdscotland.org.uk
The Scottish Huntington's Association is
a Registered Charity: No 121496.