Men Are More Likely To Exhibit This Scary Behavior If They Have Dementia

If you have a loved one with dementia, you know how painful it is to watch their cognition, behavior, and body slowly decline. Maybe they still remember your name or a meal you shared decades ago, but it can be heartbreaking when they forget what they ate just a few hours earlier. Conversations can also become challenging when they struggle to follow the thread.

Alzheimer's is just one type of dementia, and the symptoms can vary depending on the type and the person. Men and women may also experience dementia differently. While aggressive behavior is possible, men are more likely to display this symptom, according to a 2009 study in International Psychogeriatrics. They're also more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic medications to manage their dementia symptoms.

Aggression may appear as verbal outbursts — swearing, shouting, or making threats —  or through physical actions like hitting, biting, or scratching, according to the Alzheimer's Society UK. In some cases, this aggression may be triggered by something else rather than being an actual symptom of dementia.

Aggressive behavior may come as a surprise to family members or friends when they see their loved one with dementia. Dementia can lead to changes in personality, and someone who never showed signs of aggression in their entire life may begin to have episodes. However, the Alzheimer's Society notes that people who were anxious or impatient before may become even more so after developing dementia.

This aggression often stems from frustration with uncertainty. When someone with dementia feels confused or disoriented, they may lash out by cursing at loved ones or even biting caregivers. As the disease progresses, it becomes harder for them to express how they're feeling, whether physically or emotionally. That growing difficulty in communication can lead to both verbal and physical outbursts.

A 2022 article in the Western Journal of Nursing Research suggests that men with dementia may display more aggressive behaviors due to both biological and social factors. Higher testosterone levels in men tend to make them physically larger, with more muscle mass and heavier bones. In addition, men are often socialized from a young age to confront challenges head-on. They've also learned that aggression is more socially acceptable for them.

While the 2009 study in International Psychogeriatrics found that men with dementia were more likely to display aggressive behaviors, it also reported that women showed more depressive symptoms and were more frequently prescribed antidepressants. A 2022 review in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy confirmed this pattern, noting that women were also more likely to experience delusions, hallucinations, and unusual body movements. These movements include wandering, fidgeting with their clothing, or wringing their hands.

(Read about the life expectancy of an Alzheimer's diagnosis.)

Men's brains tend to age faster than women's, possibly because women's brains may be more resilient, according to a 2025 article in Nature. However, women may begin accumulating tau and amyloid beta proteins —the hallmarks of Alzheimer's — before they show any symptoms. Although women are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, their diagnoses often come later, and the disease may progress more rapidly afterward. Because men and women can experience dementia differently, more research is needed to better understand the causes and progression of the disease in both sexes.