Can Depression Cause Memory Loss: Unveiling The Facts
Last Update on June 22, 2022 : Published on December 18, 2020
Depression makes you feel sad, hopeless and tearful but can depression cause memory loss? Well, depression is well connected to situations where a person is lost in the thoughts, cannot think clearly and is surrounded by confusions. Such conditions lead to poor memory or say, short term memory loss. However, there is no significant evidence about losing long term memory due to depression.
An earlier analysis people with symptoms of depression complained about memory problems. It can also stutter the brain’s function in the long run and if depression is left untreated, not only unexplained complaints of memory loss but behavioral and physical problems tag in too.
Although if you are wondering about the connection between depression and memory loss, you must also try to keep other symptoms of depression before jumping to a conclusion.
Common symptoms of depression include:
- Anxiousness, sadness and hopelessness
- Restlessness and irritability
- Change in appetite and weight
- Loss of interest in all the activities that were enjoyed before
- Trouble concentrating and working mindlessly
- Other physical effects of depression
The Connection Between Depression And Memory Loss
Researchers have confirmed links between depression and memory loss but also explained that some of the antidepressants could also be the reason for affected memory. However, let us go through explained facts of types of memory loss.
1. Short Term Memory Loss
If the symptoms of depression are severe in an individual, he or she may face short term memory loss complaints. The cognitive development of a person cuts down and the constant struggle of completing tasks, improved self-behavior and skill development hampers.
2. Dementia
In case of older people, depression could be termed as an early sign of dementia. Research states that gray matter in the brain changes with depression. Similar is the case with dementia! The fact of having similar symptoms between depression and dementia shows the link between two.
3. Study From Childhood To Adulthood
If the question lingers if depression causes memory loss or not, then understand that people who got under depression in their 20s may have delayed memory in their late 50s. However, it is not the case with every individual and further researches are taking place on the same lines.
How To Diagnose Memory Loss?
Image Source: TheDepressionProject
When you visit an expert to find out why your memory is so bad, they may ask you to undergo a physical examination. With that, he may also ask you questions like:
- Since when are you experiencing memory loss?
- Have you found yourself stressed, depressed or clouded with thoughts?
- Did you start taking new medications?
- How often do you drink alcohol?
- Were you ill recently or met with an accident?
- If your sleep and work cycle has changed in recent times?
Along with these questions, he may also perform electroencephalograms to find out the brain’s activity. If required, blood test, MRI or reference to a psychiatrist could also be done.
How To Manage Depression And Memory Loss?
If depression and memory loss are connected in case of an individual, treating depression symptoms could ease the memory loss. It could be done with the help of a therapist whom you can connect by dropping our team an email at info@calmsage.com. Team CalmSage would connect you with experts who are willing to help you in your tough time.
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With that, there are other strategies which you can follow to manage the memory loss in everyday life including:
- Keep reminders in your phone and mention the tasks that must be done at the same time.
- Keep your focus aligned towards one work at a time.
- Make sure that you work in a distraction free environment.
- Commit yourself to consume all the required information in the memory.
- Find out your memory stealers and perform brain exercises to improve your memory.
Wrapping Up
After understanding how depression can cause memory loss or may become one of the major reasons for memory loss, it is best to either ask a loved one for help or message us at info@calmsage.com. If you can visit a doctor in person, don’t be hesitant to take the right step and improve upon yourself.
About The Author
Akanksha Soni
Akanksha is an active lifestyle blogger and writer at Calmsage. She has learnt various lessons on happiness and methods to fight depression through 'Gurus' as well as own experiences. An ardent practitioner of Yoga and meditation, she keeps traveling, writes and interacts with people to feel alive.
