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.
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.
The link between depression and memory loss
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.
Depression affects the hippocampus of the brain
Additionally, researchers found that the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory, has a decreased growth rate in situations of depression. The hippocampus is located in the area of the brain that grows new brain cells. Therefore, when someone is living with depression, the ability for their brain to take in and recall new information is negatively impacted.
Is memory loss from depression treatable?
Experiencing memory loss can be an uncomfortable feeling, especially if you aren't sure if you’ll have long-term memory loss. The good news is that both memory loss and depression are treatable. If you're experiencing short-term memory loss that is caused by depression, you may be able to 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 may be things that you can do to improve it.
Potential medications for memory problems from depression
Some medications often used by Alzheimer’s patients have been found to positively impact those who are experiencing memory loss and depression. Researchers also have been working hard to develop new forms of medication compounds that would help reverse the damage of memory loss caused by depression.
Possible things you can do for depression and memory loss
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 for memory problems
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.
Therapy for mental health disorders
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%.
Online counseling is effective for mental health disorders
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 through 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. Studies have found that online counseling is just as effective as in-person counseling.
Takeaway
Is depression a possible cause of memory loss?
People with depression may experience memory biases in which they tend to have better memory for negative events and worse memory for positive events. They may also display impaired recollection and memory retrieval, particularly for positive memories.
What is it called when you lose your memory when you are depressed?
In general, there isn’t a special name for memory loss or memory impairment when it takes place due to depression.
How do you stop memory loss from depression?
The best way to stop memory loss from depression may be to seek professional depression treatment. Common treatment options typically include therapy and medication, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Always speak to your doctor for medical advice before starting or stopping medications.
However, methods like improving your sleep quality, managing your stress levels, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also be helpful.
Can you regain memory loss after depression?
Yes, it can be possible to recover from memory loss after depression through cognitive rehabilitation techniques.
Why do I feel like I'm losing my memory?
Memory problems may result from depression, medication side effects, and infections, which can often be treated. However, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can also cause memory loss and tend to be irreversible.
How do I know if I have depression or dementia?
One of the biggest differences between depression and dementia may be that people with dementia tend to lack awareness of what time it is and where they are. This doesn’t usually happen with depression. In addition, depression normally develops much more quickly than dementia.
Can lack of sleep cause memory loss?
A lack of sleep can impair memory consolidation and even make it more likely for a person to form false memories. If you’re having trouble with your memory, your sleeping patterns may explain poor recollection and poor memory in general.
Can mental stress cause memory loss?
Stress, anxiety, and depression may all affect memory. Memory formation and working memory capacity may both be impacted.
What mental disorder causes memory loss?
Memory loss may be associated with PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and dementia. Many mental health disorders lead to problems with executive function as a symptom, and these disorders can have a possible negative influence on working memory and long-term memory.
Can depression cause brain damage, and what parts of the brain are affected?
The brain often changes in response to depression. For example, there’s typically less activity in the hippocampuses of people with major depressive disorder, and neuroplasticity may decrease as well. Other brain regions, like the amygdala and dorsomedial thalamus, can also be impacted in people with depression.
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