Alan Saunders, a 52-year-old former lorry driver from Lewisham, was misdiagnosed with depression for three years before doctors discovered he had frontal lobe dementia. His partner of 36 years, Sharon Yardley, 44, said his behaviour changed “almost overnight,” and she spent two years attending medical appointments with him to get the correct diagnosis. Alan was finally diagnosed in December 2025 and is currently sectioned in the dementia ward at Bethlem Royal Hospital, London.
Erratic behaviour and job loss
Alan's symptoms began when he started rambling in meetings and getting into altercations at work. He was referred to multiple doctors and given a life coach by his employer. He eventually lost his job as a lorry driver, and a year later, in 2023, he was diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants. However, his behaviour continued to deteriorate.
Sharon, who works in customer service, said: “It was almost like it was overnight he changed. I can't explain it. It was so out of character. It was like he hit self-destruct; he was not focused, he was erratic, his driving got really erratic.” She added: “Before this, he was such a laid-back, quiet man. We had been together since we were 17 and 15 years old, I knew what he was usually like.”
Fighting for a correct diagnosis
Sharon took Alan to multiple doctors' appointments, who all thought he had depression and prescribed antidepressants. But Sharon was not convinced. She said: “I went back again two or three times and said surely it is not depression. Alan would just ramble, and it was weird.” He was given counselling, and his depression tablets were increased by 10mg. Sharon even took Wednesdays off work to call the NHS, and she had to sell Alan's car because he kept driving dangerously.
Sharon spent three years fighting for a proper diagnosis. In December 2025, Alan was diagnosed with middle-to-late stage dementia, after two home assessments, multiple sedatives, and a psychiatrist visit. Sharon explained that the delay impacted Alan's family, as they struggled to support him and appeal his job loss. Alan was moved from a hospital in Lewisham to Bethlem Royal Hospital last year.
Impact and lack of support
Sharon said: “The whole time I just wanted him to get the right care. It was so frustrating getting a diagnosis; sometimes I feel like I failed him because it took so long.” She added: “I don’t understand why it took so long when I was ringing and chasing doctors every week. It is hard to find somewhere for a 52-year-old with dementia, there is just no support out there, I was also caring for my mum who had dementia at the same time.”
Alan's condition forced him to move in with his mum, as Sharon could no longer care for him. Sharon said: “I think back and I thought how did I ever get through this. I didn't even know when he lost his job and we had a mortgage together. I had to cut down on all the bills.” She added: “When his behaviour changed and got worse, I could not cope with it. We never had any troubles in our relationship but he was such a gentle and kind person and then I had to ask him to move in with his mum because I needed to carry on working.”
