Is It Dementia or Just a New Habit? Understanding Changes in Behavior

When a loved one begins doing something in public that they would once have kept private (like picking their nose), it can be shocking. You may find yourself wondering: Is this dementia? Or, after seeing a headline online: Does nose picking lead to dementia?

The short answer is no: picking your nose does not cause dementia, and it is not a stand-alone sign of dementia. The popular claim that nose picking can lead to Alzheimer’s disease came from a 2022 mouse study involving bacteria placed in mice’s nasal passages. It did not study nose picking in people and did not show that the habit causes Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

But a new and meaningful change in a person’s public behavior can be one clue in a wider pattern of cognitive or behavioral change. That distinction matters: one awkward habit is not a diagnosis; a persistent change from someone’s usual self is worth paying attention to.

When a private habit becomes public

Dementia can sometimes affect a person’s ability to notice or respond to social cues. This is known as disinhibition. It may look like saying something unexpectedly blunt, ignoring a familiar social boundary, acting on an impulse, or doing something in public that the person would previously have considered private.

This is more common in some forms of dementia, including behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). It does not mean that your loved one is trying to be rude or embarrassing. Their ability to pause, recognize a social rule, or redirect themselves may be changing.

Of course, there may be a much simpler explanation. Dry air, allergies, congestion, anxiety, boredom, or an old habit can all lead to nose picking. One behavior alone cannot diagnose dementia. What matters is whether it is new, persistent, and part of a bigger pattern.

Five lesser-known changes families may notice

Memory loss is often the first sign people think of. But families frequently notice shifts in behavior, judgment, perception, or initiative first. None of the examples below proves that someone has dementia. They can, however, be useful observations to share with a clinician (especially when they are new, persistent, or affecting day-to-day life).

• Changes in social boundaries. Your loved one may make comments that feel out of character, neglect personal grooming, or seem less aware of what is appropriate in public. When this is a clear change from their usual personality, it is worth mentioning to a clinician.
• Changes in judgment. This may show up as paying the same bill twice, falling for a scam, making an unusually risky purchase, or overlooking a familiar safety step. These problems can appear before a family thinks of someone as “forgetful.”
• Trouble with visual-spatial tasks. A person may suddenly have more difficulty judging distance, managing stairs, parking, finding an item in a busy room, or navigating an unfamiliar place. An eye exam is always a good idea, but these changes should also be shared with a healthcare professional.
• A loss of initiative. Someone who used to call friends, cook, garden, or follow a favorite team may stop getting started. This can look like “not caring,” but it may reflect apathy, depression, a medication effect, or a cognitive change. It deserves a gentle conversation, not criticism.
• Difficulty with familiar routines. A well-known recipe, a grocery list, a favorite game, or a familiar route may begin to feel unexpectedly complicated. Needing more help with everyday tasks can be an important clue when it is part of a broader pattern of change.

Look for patterns, not a checklist diagnosis

Start with curiosity. Instead of correcting or arguing, ask yourself:

• Could they be uncomfortable? Sometimes a behaviour that looks like disinhibition is actually a response to physical discomfort.
• Could they be overwhelmed? Being overstimulated can cause a loved one to react in a way that’s not normal for them.
• Is this new for them? Stepping into a new environment or experience can be a lot for a loved one to process.

Write down a few specific examples, including when they started and how often they happen. Then share those observations with their primary care clinician. You do not have to wait until you have every answer to ask for help.

If a change in confusion or behavior is sudden or dramatic, seek medical advice promptly. Sudden changes can be caused by an acute health issue, not just dementia.

The takeaway

The awkward questions are often the important ones. Nose picking alone is not a diagnosis. But when behavior, judgment, routines, or personality begin to feel meaningfully different, it is okay to ask for support.

If you are noticing changes and wondering what they mean, your Lizzy Care navigator can help you make sense of what you are seeing and decide on next steps.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Contact a qualified healthcare professional for new, sudden, or concerning symptoms.

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