DEMENTIA is usually associated with brain damage from diseases, such as Alzheimer's or a series of strokes. That is cruel enough, but doctors think Paul Moynihan contracted early-onset dementia after being hit over the head by thugs armed with baseball bats.

Paul's wife, Helen tells his harrowing story today on our health pages. She says while most of us think dementia is just about memory loss, she has watched her husband experience depression and anxiety.

Worse still, Paul's behaviour has become so unpredictable that for his own safety he now has to live in hospital.

Paul is not the only victim of this relentless syndrome. Helen is now on antidepressants to help her cope and says she feels guilty for living normally.

But every day, when Helen visits her husband in hospital, he smiles at her and for a brief moment all her cares disappear.

Our hearts go out to an incredibly brave couple.