Comments on: The Clock Drawing Test and Dementia

By: Carrie Peterson

Carrie Peterson — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:26:54 +0000

Hi Jessica, thanks for reading and for your comment. Without knowing more about your mother or visiting with her, I can’t give any definitive advice at this point other than to get her in to an appointment with a neurologist, neuropsychologist or dementia specialist. I haven’t come across a mirror reflection in the clock test before and a quick search didn’t reveal that this is a common outcome. If you get any definitive answer from the doctor, please feel free to share with us what you learn. Thanks again, Jessica, and I wish you and your mother the best of luck.

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By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 05:11:31 +0000

My 77 year old Mother has been showing some behavioral changes recently. For example, forgetting how to turn on the air conditioner, putting things in strange places, exhibiting fits of anger and aggressiveness. I gave her the clock test and she drew the clock numbers as a mirror reflection. The 12 at the top and starting at the left with 1,2,3 etc. I’m wondering what this could mean? None of the examples listed mentioned this interpretation. What are your thoughts?

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By: Carrie Peterson

Carrie Peterson — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:46:38 +0000

Hi Marla,
Thanks for checking out the article and for posting your comment. Like you, I am also concerned that your father is inconsistent in making the clock test. I would recommend getting him in to see a doctor, preferably a neurologist who is trained and qualified to assess cognitive functioning. Be sure to bring in the previous clock tests you he made (with dates) as well.
The beginning symptoms of dementia are most often related to executive functioning (like managing finances, personal hygiene, household maintenance, etc.) and not specific to memory, so I would trust your intuition that something has changed with your father. There are also other conditions which can cause cognitive changes but are not dementia and can even be treated and reversed, like urinary tract infections, vitamin deficiencies, or other infections, which is why it is good to have a medical doctor rule out or treat those possible causes.
I hope this helps, and please feel free to write again, Marla. Best of luck to you and your father.

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By: Marla James

Marla James — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 00:29:22 +0000

Hi
My Dad is 87. I gave him the clock test because over the last few months he’s really been getting confused with writing checks. On 2 of the clock tests he drew the numbers from 12 , 11 etc and had the hand position Wrong and had 3 hands on clock.. the other 2 clocks he had numbers right but Wrong times.. I further tested him for reading numbers I wrote out, all great.. He could also distinguish drawings and drew them fine.. Any help would be appreciated . Thank you

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By: Carrie Peterson

Carrie Peterson — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 12:38:38 +0000

Thanks for sharing the info!

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By: nextstepphysio

nextstepphysio — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 13:59:44 +0000

I’m a physiotherapist and I designed a physical + cognitive stimulation exercise for the brain and body based on the Clock Drawing Test. It’s facilitated with a smartphone/tablet app. I’d love to hear your thoughts! For references and links see http://www.clockyourself.com.au

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By: More improvements for the Clock Drawing Test | Doctor Dementia and the Dementia Adventure

Sat, 29 Aug 2015 07:14:30 +0000

[…] month I wrote a post about what the Clock Drawing Test is, how it is scored, what that means, and new research on a home-based version that is done on a […]

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By: Carrie Peterson

Carrie Peterson — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:48:21 +0000

I am sorry this happened, Ashley. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I think it’s odd when doctors think that younger people cannot have cognitive problems, and unprofessional that they would accuse someone of lying AND not give further information. I wish that they would have referred you to another neurologist or at least some follow-up testing, it is so frustrating to be left with no answers when you know something is not as it used to be.
The clock drawing test is only one assessment used to determine cognitive functioning, I would recommend that you see another doctor (who would hopefully refer you for more testing, including CT scan or MRI) and keep advocating for your own health.
You are not too young to have cognitive problems. You should not be left with no plan for treatment. Doctors, like the rest of us, are humans and don’t know everything and also make mistakes. It might be a good idea to take someone with you to the next appointment who can also give the doctor some insight into what you have been going through and the changes (this is also support for you and another set of ears to take in what the doctor says).

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By: Ashley Anderson (@penguinmlle)

Ashley Anderson (@penguinmlle) — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 04:21:14 +0000

I have taken this test and was questioned because I went to my neurologist with complaints about cognitive lapses and foggy, severe headaches. I know my clock wasn’t normal because it had no hands and I got upset because I noticed I skipped numbers before I handed it back. The doctor then accused me of lying because I was too young (26) to have dementia. I did not go to the doctor for possible dementia so I am left disabled with no coping mechanisms which is distressing as I can’t work nor finish college.

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