'It was very scary and isolating': The Veronicas discuss the shock of learning their mother Colleen has dementia after four years of misdiagnosis

By Ekin Karasin and Claire Hubble For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 16:58 BST, 27 June 2018 | Updated: 17:10 BST, 27 June 2018

The Veronicas singers Lisa and Jessica Origliasso have revealed it felt 'scary and isolating' to hear that their mother has dementia.

Colleen was finally told she has Lewy Body Dementia after four years of being misdiagnosed by doctors, who insisted she had anxiety and depression. 

Her twin daughters Lisa and Jessica, 33, explained that Colleen was hesitant to break the news to them because of the 'fear and confusion' surrounding the idea of dementia. 

'It was very scary and isolating': The Veronicas singers Lisa and Jessica Origliasso discussed their shock when their mother Colleen revealed she has dementia (all pictured)

'It was very scary and isolating': The Veronicas singers Lisa and Jessica Origliasso discussed their shock when their mother Colleen revealed she has dementia (all pictured)

'It's a difficult thing for anyone going through that diagnosis; that range of emotions that their body has failed them in some way and not understanding how,' the sisters told Confidential.

 'It was very scary and it can feel isolating. I know mum had a hard time bringing it up with us because there's a lot of fear and confusion.'

They revealed their determination to make life as normal as possible for Colleen despite the diagnosis.  

'It's not something that's treatable but our mum is a sassy, beautiful, fiery, passionate and hilarious woman and she doesn't lose that because of this diagnosis,' they said. 

Stigma: Her twin daughters Lisa and Jessica, 33, explained that Colleen was hesitant to break the news to them because of the 'fear and confusion' surrounding the idea of dementia

Stigma: Her twin daughters Lisa and Jessica, 33, explained that Colleen was hesitant to break the news to them because of the 'fear and confusion' surrounding the idea of dementia

Colleen is now receiving 24-hour care in Brisbane, has taken up painting and has been encouraging Lisa and Jessica's return to music over the last three weeks.

The twins have been named ambassadors for Dementia Australia, which supports education and early diagnosis, something they didn't get with their own mother.    

The pop duo previously said it was 'heartbreaking' and 'frustrating' watching their beloved mum struggle through a mystery illness. 

The sisters, who count Colleen as their 'biggest fan,' told The Courier Mail that the diagnosis followed years of mystery ailments.

Family affair: Colleen is now receiving 24-hour care in Brisbane, has taken up painting and has been encouraging Lisa and Jessica's return to music over the last three weeks 

Family affair: Colleen is now receiving 24-hour care in Brisbane, has taken up painting and has been encouraging Lisa and Jessica's return to music over the last three weeks 

'After several years of misdiagnosis, our mum Coleen has finally (been) given a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia with progressive supranuclear palsy,' the twins said in a statement. 

'It has been an incredibly heartbreaking and frustrating time trying to find a definitive diagnosis. We have had incredible support from friends and family,' they added. 

Coleen's health took a dramatic turn for the worst last year, just before The Veronicas were set to release their fourth album. 

The panic-stricken siblings travelled from the US back to their hometown of Brisbane last year, when Colleen was hospitalised with a mystery illness.  

A touching tribute: The pop duo took part in Dementia's Memory Run and Walk earlier this month
Doing it for mum! The pair count their mother as their biggest fan

A touching tribute: The pop duo took part in Dementia's Memory Run and Walk earlier this month  

Their mum's dramatic health battle led the sisters, both 33, to postpone their album release. 

Symptoms of Lewy Body Disease is very similar to Alzheimer's disease,  which can make it difficult to diagnose. 

The disease can cause difficulties in concentration, extreme confusion, difficulties judging distances.

Sufferers also experience visual hallucinations, tremors and stiffness and can appear to fluctuate between clear and confused states. 

The Origliassos are extremely close to their mother, and Jess and Coleen have matching 'JCL' tattoos to signify the trio's initials. 

Ordeal: The pop duo previously said it was 'heartbreaking' and 'frustrating' watching their beloved mum struggle through a mystery illness

Ordeal: The pop duo previously said it was 'heartbreaking' and 'frustrating' watching their beloved mum struggle through a mystery illness

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