Lost Interest in People

Possible Causes

Generally, Lost interest in people can be related to:

• Frontotemporal Dementia

  A group of disorders involving the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain (behind your forehead and ears). The brain shrinks and loses function in the affected areas. It can be caused by several conditions that are not fully understood. A family history of dementia increases the risk.

• Mild Cognitive Impairment

  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is also known as mild or "pre-dementia" in which patients experience forgetfulness or other cognitive problems (such as issues with language or thinking) that do not prevent them from daily functioning. A small proportion of patients have MCI due to depression, medication side effects, sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea, low vitamin B12 levels or low thyroid function. Some controllable risk factors include excessive alcohol intake, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, as well as lack of mental stimulation. Patients with MCI have a high risk for developing dementia, which occurs in about 14% of cases.

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Lost interest in people may be related to these serious diseases:

• Chronic Subdural Hematoma

  This refers to blood collecting in the space between the brain and the brain's outer covering (dura). It can be caused by even minor injuries or bumps to the head, particularly in those who are at increased risk. Older adults and those on certain blood-thinning medications or with bleeding disorders are at higher risk. Some people will have no or few symptoms but can develop more symptoms (confusion, headaches, personality changes) if it expands.

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you lost interest in people around you?
• How long have you felt uninterested in your surroundings?

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