How PTSD And Memory Loss Are Connected

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often seen as a condition primarily affecting individuals who have been to war or who have seen other potentially traumatic events. Although it is often diagnosed in veterans, PTSD can affect people from all walks of life, including the very young (toddlers and on) and the very old. PTSD can result from a high-stress job or can be a result of a single traumatizing situation, such as a car accident. Its reasons can be complex, and its symptoms can vary with each person. However, one of the common themes in PTSD is related to memory loss. Below, we’ll explore the relationship between PTSD and memory loss in greater detail.  

PTSD and memory loss

Memory can continue to deteriorate into treatment and beyond if the mechanisms behind memory distortion, loss, and failure are not addressed.

How does PTSD affect your memory?

Initially, the process involved in storing trauma can make remembering a traumatic event difficult. In some people, this may look like gaps in the memory of the traumatic event. For others, the sequencing of the event might be off; the timeline involved might be jumbled or unclear. Still, for others, the memory of the event can be foggy or hazy, almost as though it were observed through smudged glasses, which can make it difficult to recall details clearly and efficiently.

Although the most common effect of PTSD on memory is related to the memory of the event causing the condition, PTSD can also impact your mind's ability to effectively store, recall, and synthesize memories received after the initial trauma. Memories might hazy or jumbled, or the memories may be missing altogether. Some of these memories might be seem minor (such as remembering how to get to work), while others might seem more significant (such as forgetting a birthday).

Alzheimer's disease has been linked to PTSD, as those with PTSD may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's in later life. It is unknown the exact reason for this and whether a predisposition for PTSD is also a predisposition for Alzheimer's disease, or if PTSD functions as a risk factor. One study found that the risk of Alzheimer's was twice as high in people with a PTSD diagnosis, which suggests that the mental processes involved in PTSD may also be involved in dementia, and the loss of memory in both may be linked.

At times, PTSD can cause symptoms similar to those of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can make memorization difficult and affect a person’s ability to learn or take on new information. This process is thought to originate in the same part of the brain that controls mood and synthesizes information, which may be why mood, cognition, and memory can all be impaired by post-traumatic stress. This discovery could provide additional windows into treatment for PTSD and memory.

What are the implications?

The implications of lost memories and an impaired memory system can be extensive. Memory is involved in many aspects of life and is a basic aspect of functioning for adults and children alike. Memory is used in school, in the workplace, and even in relationships, so being unable to grasp, store, and retrieve memories effectively can have a significant impact.

When memory loss surrounding trauma occurs, it can be challenging for several reasons. Processing the traumatic memory and healing from PTSD symptoms may be prolonged in instances when the memory is lost or at least partially obscured. Recovery is possible, but these instances can make the process more difficult. For the patient, it can almost feel like re-experiencing the source of trauma once the memory is retrieved. It can also be challenging if insurance or a court system is involved in PTSD treatment. If you cannot remember what happened or the sequence of events involved, investigations can be complicated or may also be prolonged.

Future memory loss can also be concerning because memory is often a valuable part of daily functioning. For instance, a person must have a functioning memory in order to get to work, perform basic living tasks, and take care of themselves, not to mention caring for children, improving their work performance, and handling other matters. Memory and concentration are also linked, which means that PTSD can also affect a person’s ability to concentrate and focus, leading to challenges at work, at school, in interpersonal relationships, and in interpersonal communication.

How is PTSD-derived memory loss treated?

Memory loss can be improved during general PTSD treatment, as many specific PTSD symptoms subside during treatment. Sleep might also improve as memory is processed, which can help improve mental acuity and, therefore, memorization. Exposure therapy is one way to treat PTSD. With this treatment, a therapist tends to gradually encourage a patient to explore the trauma or events at the root of PTSD and work through those memories in a safe, controlled setting. This alone can sometimes break through the memory barrier, and as a person continues exploring the circumstances surrounding or directly related to the traumatic event, memories can begin to resurface.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and other trauma-based therapy modalities can also help retrieve or restore fuzzy or incomplete memories. The process of EMDR can help the brain to relax and no longer hold on to instances of trauma. As you relax and begin to teach your brain how to let its guard down surrounding those memories, the mental images may become clearer and more robust, allowing you to remember or understand things that were previously unclear or missing.

Memory loss is sometimes also treated through more unconventional means, such as meditation, hypnosis, and supplemental efforts. These options may have helped some people but are rarely used in conjunction with a therapist, as there are only preliminary studies identifying their efficacy in treatment.

Can memories and memory strength return?

With treatment, the memories suppressed or seemingly "lost" due to PTSD can sometimes be recovered, or existing memories can be corrected. This may require willingness and trust, though, as the memories that have been suppressed or altered may have been changed to shield a person from past trauma. This is sometimes the case when people witness horrific scenes, including severe bodily harm. Some scenes can be so gruesome that the brain may remove pieces of the memory in order to hold off nightmares, terror, and shock. In the short term, this may be a useful process, but eventually, the memory can re-emerge and may need to be processed and healed.

Getting help for PTSD and memory

PTSD and any corresponding memory loss are treatable. Although relapse is possible, even a 14-week to 18-week treatment schedule can provide a solid foundation for lasting change and relief. If you have PTSD and experience significant memory impairments, or if you suspect you might have memory impairments even without the knowledge or previous diagnosis of PTSD, you might consider reaching out to a mental health professional. If you don’t feel well enough to visit a therapist in person, you might consider online therapy. 

Research indicates that online therapy can be a useful option for people with PTSD. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can connect with a therapist via audio or video chat from home or anywhere where you feel comfortable. Also, if you experience anxiety or PTSD symptoms in between sessions, you can message your therapist 24/7 via in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. 

Below are some reviews of BetterHelp counselors from people who have experienced PTSD.

Counselor reviews

“I really enjoy working with Daniel. His expertise and knowledge in his field are extensive yet relatable. He provides effective strategies in working through PTSD issues with a kind and direct technique. I highly recommend him!”

“Jean has been so helpful for me, we have been meeting for about a month now, she is super flexible, very knowledgeable in a lot of things, and personalizes each session according to my particular events and concerns. I highly recommend if you are struggling with past abuse, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc. She's awesome.”