The Link Between Depression And Memory Loss
When people experience memory loss, they are sometimes quick to jump to conclusions about what the cause might be – including serious conditions such as Alzheimer's. However, memory loss can be caused by many other health issues – both physical and psychological – that don't necessarily have long-term effects on your memory. One of these causes is depression.
When Memory Loss Leads To Depression
How Does Depression Cause Memory Loss?
Brigham Young University conducted an extensive study to investigate the impact of depression on memory. The study found that the higher the level of the depression score of the participant, the lower score they received on a pattern separation test. The pattern separation process is what allows people to connect different situations and things that are similar.
Based on their findings, the researchers believe that when someone is experiencing depression, they also experience higher levels of memory interference – i.e., the inability to take in and recall new information because of the past situations or experiences that they are dealing with. In the example of depression, because someone is experiencing changes in their thought patterns, energy levels, and motivation, they are unable to take in and recall new information the same way that they would otherwise. They are unable to pay attention in the same way they would if they were not depressed. Memories blend together because the depression does not allow them to pick up enough different things to separate them from each other. There's nothing that stands out to them about the information that makes it easy for them to recall.
Is Memory Loss From Depression Treatable?
Experiencing memory loss can be an uncomfortable feeling, especially if you aren't sure if it will be long-term. The good news is that both memory loss and depression are treatable. If you're experiencing memory loss that is caused by depression, you can take action to improve it. If your memory loss is the result of another disease or disorder, that might not be possible, but if depression is where the memory loss is starting, then there are things that you can do to improve it.
Some medications often used by Alzheimer’s patients have been found to positively impact those that are experiencing memory loss and depression. Researchers also have been working hard to develop new forms of medication compounds that would work to help reverse the damage of memory loss caused by depression.
However, if memory loss is a symptom or result of your depression, then there are other things that you can do to improve your memory as well. Your memory loss does not need to be a lasting side effect that you experience because of depression. Here are some things you can do:
1. Get organized. The less clutter that you have to deal with at work or at home, the easier it will be to keep track of the things that you actually need.
2. Use a calendar. It's too easy when you're living with depression to hear something and not focus on it enough, causing you to forget what it is you've committed to. Make sure that you are putting everything down on a calendar. If you can, use a calendar on your phone or another device so it can alert you with an alarm when you have somewhere that you need to be.
3. Set reminders. Use notes to remind yourself of things you need to remember, such as people you need to call, paying a bill, or creating a to-do list for your day. When you're living with depression, it can be difficult to want to do anything, so you want to make it as easy as you can to know where your attention needs to be going.
4. Write it down. The act of writing things down on paper instead of simply keeping it electronically has been found to help commit that information to your memory. At the end of your day, take a few minutes to recall the events of your day in any conversations that you've had. This can help you to better remember what you need to.
5. Maintain good personal hygiene, physically and mentally. Getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough exercise each week can go a long way in helping improve both your mental health and physical health.
Getting Help
If you believe that you are experiencing signs of memory loss and aren't sure if you have depression or not, then it's important to talk to medical professionals. To determine how to address the memory loss, it will be important to determine what is causing it. While depression is one of the causes of memory loss, there are many other things that it could be related to. Getting the proper diagnosis is the first step on being able to get help.
If your memory loss is caused by depression or another mental health issue, it's important to treat the cause of the problem. Just treating the memory loss will not be as effective as learning how to overcome the depression that is causing it. Therapy can also help people who are experiencing depression due to memory loss, such as dementia patients. In fact, a recent study of 350,000 patients found that depression elevated the risk of dementia by 50%. However, those who received treatment for their depression reduced their risk of dementia by 30%.
If you're experiencing memory loss and depression, it's important that you talk to a mental health professional. A therapist can help you work through many of your symptoms of depression, determine if there is a root cause, and learn strategies that you to help your symptoms improve. With the growth of online counseling, such as though BetterHelp, connecting with a licensed counselor is easier than ever. You can connect via phone, video call, or online chat from the comfort of your home at a time that works best for you. And, studies have found that online counseling is just as effective as in-person counseling.
Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is memory loss a side effect of depression?
Per Healthline media, depression has been associated with memory problems such as short-term memory loss, confusion, and temporary forgetfulness. It can affect the way that you focus on a task and can hinder your ability to complete work. Stress and anxiety can also affect your memory, and can lead to you making mistakes that you normally wouldn’t.
It is important to note however, that memory loss due to depression is not the same kind of severe memory loss associated with conditions like Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Whereas memory loss due to depression is typically short-term and can be managed with therapy and medications, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are currently irreversible.
In addition, while depression related memory loss can happen to a person at any age, typically the memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia are age related. With Alzheimer’s and dementia, brain function starts to suddenly and rapidly decline leading to cognitive impairment. This, at first, mild cognitive impairment will lead to memory problems that are much more severe.
Seek medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment if you find yourself suddenly having memory problems. Your symptoms and history will be medically reviewed to determine the cause and path forward.
- Can untreated depression cause dementia?
Medically reviewed studies have shown that untreated depression can lead to memory problems and increase your risk of dementia by 75%. Since depression and memory loss go hand in hand, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as you begin experiencing memory problems or cognitive impairment.
One of the first things you may notice is a loss of short-term memory or related memory loss, such as not being able to find the glasses perched on top of your head. While at times this may just be a fluke occurrence, if it happens regularly you should seek medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Is memory loss considered a mental illness?
No. Per Healthline media and other medically reviewed sources, it is a condition of the brain. There are ways to improve memory and reverse the loss experienced with mental illnesses such as depression. In situations where memory loss is not caused by a mental illness, the damage can be harder to reverse, or in some cases irreversible.
There are many conditions that can lead to memory loss. Some are simple, such as normal aging. Extreme causes may be brain tumors, damage to nerve cells in the brain, multiple sclerosis, or dementia.
If you are experiencing memory problems with no discernable reason, speak to your doctor and provide your full medical history to be medically reviewed.
- Is confusion a symptom of depression?
Per Healthline media, yes it can be. It is associated with the impairment of other thinking skills. However, if you find that your thinking skills are constantly impaired and you have no history of depression or alcohol abuse, seek help from a doctor that can provide you with additional information about what may be going on.
- What are the 5 signs of mental illness?
The five major signs of mental illness are:
- Excessive paranoia, worry, or anxiety
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability
- Extreme changes in moods
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical advice and have your symptoms medically reviewed. A doctor will be able to provide medical advice and additional information such as support groups you can meet with that may help. In addition, they will be able to start you on a treatment plan to get you feeling better.
For the majority of people, their symptoms of depression and anxiety can be easily treated with medications and therapy options. It is important to rule out more serious health conditions such as alcohol abuse, brain tumors, or severe cognitive impairment first.
- What are the signs of a mental breakdown?
Per Healthline media, a mental breakdown is a period of time where you are no longer able to properly function without help or support groups. What people call a mental breakdown is usually an undiagnosed mental illness that needs treatment. These are some of the signs of a mental breakdown:
- Depressive symptoms
- Severe anxiety that hinders daily function
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Hallucinations or Paranoia
- Unexplained outbursts
- Extreme mood swings
- Panic attacks
- Extreme trauma
- Avoidance behavior
- Overeating or severe undereating
- Poor hygiene
- Isolation behavior
If you are feeling alone, isolated, or considering hurting yourself, call the national center for suicide prevention at 800-273-8255. Help is available, and having the support you need is so essential.
- What are the first signs of going crazy?
If you believe that you’re “going crazy” or are cogent enough to do searches for it, then chances are you’re not. You may still be experiencing a mental illness that can be helped and treated, but it is likely not a severe form such as Bipolar or Schizophrenia.
In cases of severe mental illness, a person will begin acting erratically and may be convinced that someone is “out to get them” or trying to hurt them. They may experience paranoia or hallucinations, may have violent mood swings, or may be engaging in unsafe behaviors. People with undiagnosed and severe mental illnesses usually don’t know that there is anything wrong with them or their behavior.
- Is Crying part of a mental breakdown?
For some people it can be, and is a fairly common symptom of being overwhelmed. If you find yourself crying uncontrollably or without provocation, seek medical advice as you may have a form of depression. There are many treatment options, such as therapy and support groups that can help.
- What's the difference between a nervous breakdown and a mental breakdown?
They are the same, and are interchangeable terms. However, neither term is used in a clinical setting to describe a mental illness that a person may be experiencing.
- Can depression change your personality?
Yes, if left untreated. Depression affects the amygdala. Prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus in your brain. It causes excessive amounts of cortisol to be released into these areas causing some to shrink, and others to grow. When the amygdala grows, it causes your emotions to be less stable and can cause severe mood swings.
In the prefrontal cortex is your decision-making processes. This area shrinks after long periods of untreated depression, which can cause you to start making poor decision such as turning to alcohol and drug abuse.
If someone you love seems to be acting significantly different than they used to, it is important to seek medical advice for them. Often times people don’t realize that they are acting differently, and it takes an outside perspective to notice.
- How long can a mental breakdown last?
It completely depends on the events that led to the breakdown and all of the factors involved. If it was due to a traumatic event, it may take years of treatment to completely come to terms with it. If it was stress due to working conditions, then you may begin to feel better within a few weeks of leaving the situation.
The important thing to remember is that you likely won’t get better if you don’t change your situation or confront the event that is traumatizing you. If you have experienced a breakdown, speak to your doctor or therapist about treatment options.
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