Dark, Altered Sense of Humor and Dementia

Although memory loss is usually the first thing we think of when it comes to dementia, an individual developing a twisted or dark sense of humor along with other personality changes is another early red flag. Noticing these changes in your loved one can help you determine if they are developing this condition and if they need to see a doctor.

You may wonder what type of dark humor to be concerned about. If your loved one is starting to laugh at inappropriate times — such as a devastating news report, a family member receiving bad news, or a person getting injured — this could be an early sign your loved one is developing personality changes that could be related to dementia.^[01]

An altered sense of humor is common in two types of dementia: semantic dementia and frontotemporal dementia. ^[02] Both directly affect a person’s language, personality, and mood, which makes it difficult for them to verbally communicate and engage in social situations.

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Changes in your loved one’s sense of humor could include:

• Having very little sense of humor. Your loved one might not laugh at jokes, TV shows, or other antics they normally would find funny.
• Laughing at inappropriate times. This is where a dark sense of humor can be most evident. Laughing at a death or injury is a sign that your loved one’s humor is changing.
• Laughing loudly at things that are only mildly funny. Because of their new sense of humor, a person who’s developing dementia might laugh overly loud at comments that are only slightly funny.
• Only understanding obvious humor. Individuals who experience an altered sense of humor typically find slapstick comedy — a type of physical comedy characterized by broad humor — funnier than satirical comedy. In this style of humor, exaggeration and irony are used to criticize and expose flaws in human behavior. ^[03]

If your loved one is experiencing other behavioral disturbances along with an altered sense of humor, you may want to consider other mental health issues — specifically bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and severe anxiety. Signs and symptoms of some mental illnesses can be similar to dementia, but they are not the same condition. Taking your loved one to the doctor is the best way to determine what exactly may be causing a change in their sense of humor.

Additionally, while monitoring the dark humor-related symptoms above, be sure to look for other hallmark symptoms of dementia, including pronounced memory loss, difficulty speaking, a tendency to wander, and trouble with activities of daily living.^[03]

Read related article:Find Assisted Living for Adults with Mental Illness: A How-To Guide

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

An altered sense of humor along with other behavioral disturbances can be an early sign that your loved one is developing dementia. Individuals may either laugh at inappropriate times, not understand jokes they once found funny, or not even laugh at all. If your loved one is experiencing any of these behavioral changes, contact their doctor to request an evaluation. Connect with a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom if you have questions about caring for your loved one with dementia.