Book Online Counselling and Treatment for Amnesia

A Quick Overview

Have you ever forgotten where you left your phone or the name of someone who just introduced themselves to you? This happens to all of us on different occasions. However, you may have amnesia if you have serious trouble remembering new information. People with this condition may even forget their identity, but that is rarely the case. Mostly, individuals have trouble forming new memories and learning new information. In simpler terms, it is a condition that causes memory loss.

Memory is not only responsible for remembering past events. It also enables us to make better decisions in our life. For example, remembering that there is an obstacle right outside your doorstep will help you not trip over it every time you leave the house. There is a strong link between being able to recall the past and being able to plan the future. Our brain uses prior knowledge and information during any decision-making process.

This condition usually causes short-term memory problems. Affected individuals tend to struggle with retaining new experiences and facts. They may remember some specific childhood incidents deeply ingrained in their memory. But it might be hard for them to retain more recent memories and facts. However, all this may not affect a person's general knowledge, intelligence, awareness, attention span, or judgment. They can usually understand written and spoken words. Learning new skills such as playing guitar or driving a car is also possible. But this doesn't mean that it requires no medical treatment.

Major Causes

Our brain is responsible for encoding, storing, and retrieving all information. Any interference in our brain's ability caused by an injury or disease can cause this condition. If there is any damage to part of your brain structure that controls emotions and memories, then you are likely to struggle with retaining experiences. Possible causes of brain damage that can result in this condition are:

• Head injuries caused by a car accident or sports. Though, mild injuries usually result in temporary amnesia only. Concussions may also affect your brain's ability to process and store information for days or weeks.
• Anoxia or a lack of oxygen in the brain.
• Stroke or seizures.
• Sedative medications such as benzodiazepine.
• Tumours in the areas of the brain like the thalamus.
• Brain inflammation.
• It could also be a symptom of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.

The doctor will conduct CT, and MRI scans to determine your condition's physical cause. Your treatment plan will depend on the cause and damage it has already caused to the brain.

Common Signs

A few factors increase your chance of developing this condition. These are:

• Overdosage of sedatives like benzodiazepine tablets
• Alcohol abuse
• Brain surgery
• Head injury or emotional trauma
• Strokes or seizures
• Nutritional deficiencies like lack of Vitamin B1
• Electroconvulsive therapy

The Different Types

Depending on the cause and symptoms, amnesia can be of many types. The most common types are:

Retrograde

In this, our brain loses the ability to recall recent experiences before the injury or trauma. One may also struggle with recalling remote experiences, but that happens more slowly over time. People with this may even have complete memory loss, depending on the damage's extent. Dementia and other such medical conditions may result in this type.

Anterograde

This affects the brain's ability to store new information. It could be both temporary or permanent. A blackout caused by the consumption of alcohol in excess may cause transient anterograde amnesia. But if some head injury or trauma causes damage to the hippocampus in your brain, then it may be permanent. Also, this usually affects our recent events as the brain struggles to transfer them into long-term memory. Events and experiences in the distant past are not usually affected. This type may affect your quality of life as day-to-day storing of information is poor.

Transient Global Amnesia (TGA)

People with this type may find it hard to recall specific events that happened a few minutes ago. There may be a lot of confusion and agitation during the forgetful period. This may last several hours, with the person having no lasting memory of the experience. It is most common in adults over 50 years. It could be due to age-induced changes in the brain or a brief blockage of blood vessels. Some studies also suggest that it may be a result of seizure-like activity. But the reason behind this type is still not well understood.

Infantile/Childhood

This particular phenomenon is the inability to remember events from your early childhood. This is relatively common, as most people can't recall the first 3-5 years of their life. This is usually attributed to certain areas of the brain not maturing enough during childhood.

Dissociative

It is usually caused by a traumatic experience or stressful event, like a crime victim. Affected individuals struggle to cope with that event. They may have a sudden memory loss that lasts for a few minutes or hours. In some cases, it might even last for months or years. People with this type may struggle to remember some important and specific information. This can also include details about themselves, like their names and addresses. More often than not, other information returns, but the experience of that shocking event is not likely to return.

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA)

If you are unconscious for an extended period due to traumatic brain injury, you may suffer from PTA. After becoming conscious, you might take time to remember events that happened minutes or hours ago. The duration that it takes for you to recall may indicate the severity of the condition. In some cases, it may be an hour, while in other cases, it could be 24 hours. A strike on the head or fall from a height may also cause this.

Drug and Alcohol Induced

Some drugs, such as sedatives and anaesthesia medication, may cause temporary memory loss. Ketamine and flunitrazepam are also possible influents. This type is more evident in adults who take a lot of medication. These medications interfere with the memory formation process in the brain. This particular type usually lasts till the effect of the drug wears off. Until then, the person may not be able to recollect the experience they are going through completely.

Short-term alcohol consumption may cause a blackout, which is temporary. But long-term alcoholism may cause Korsakoff's syndrome, which is more serious. It combines retrograde and anterograde amnesia, as the person cannot store immediate information and recall past information.

• Genetics: You might risk developing this condition if you have a family member with a history of depression or PDD.
• Trauma: If you have ever experienced a traumatic event, such as losing a loved one, you might be at risk of developing the condition.
• Stress: External or internal stressful events can trigger an episode of major depression.
• Negative Traits: If you harbour low self-esteem, self-criticism, or pessimistic behaviour, you might fall into severe depression.
• Substance Abuse: This may alter your thinking and put you at a greater risk of developing PDD.
• Other Mental Health Conditions: PDD may be triggered by other disorders such as anxiety, personality, or bipolar disorder.

Prevention

Prevention may be possible depending on the cause. Some sort of brain damage is mostly the cause of this disorder, so reducing any chances of brain injury is the first step. The following actions can help:

• Wear a helmet while riding a bike and a seat belt while driving.
• Use good quality protective headgear while playing sports with a chance of concussion.
• Clean infections immediately to prevent them from spreading to the brain.
• Stay physically and mentally active to keep your body and brain in good shape. This also promotes a regular flow of oxygen to the brain.
• Seek professional help immediately if you have any symptoms.

Along with these steps, you can change your diet to prevent memory loss. Some dietary changes include:

• Cutting on excessive use of alcohol.
• Staying hydrated. Researchers believe that dehydration can adversely affect the functioning of the brain.
• Eating food rich in Vitamin B1, like oranges, eggs, nuts, etc.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

The first thing to do when you see symptoms of this disorder is to seek medical attention. The condition is directly related to your brain malfunctioning. A healthcare provider needs to do a thorough examination of your brain and nervous system. They will be able to rule out other possible brain diseases or issues.

If the condition is severe, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from friends and family. Along with that, maintain a notepad to note down important information that you might need daily.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

Living with this ailment can be extremely frustrating and concerning for you and your close ones. Moreover, if left untreated, it may become worse. That can affect your quality of social life and relationships.

Also, it is important to figure out the cause of your condition. Any damage to your brain could have amnesia as a symptom of an even further complicated disease. A licensed therapist can better assess and evaluate your condition after a proper physical exam. They will be able to determine the severity and set a treatment plan accordingly. This will also rule out any serious brain injury or mental health disorder.

If caused by stress or trauma, psychotherapy becomes an important part of the treatment. It will help in coping with the traumatic events while trying to help you recover your lost memories. A therapist may also recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to teach you how to process and store information differently.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

If you or anyone you know is experiencing the above-mentioned signs, you should schedule an appointment with our counsellor. They will be able to understand your condition better while diagnosing its cause. It is easy to be self-conscious and lose confidence as you suffer from this. Ultimately, it can become a concern for your mental health.

At DocVita, our healthcare providers will do their best to help you retrieve your memories. They will help you deal with the struggles that come with amnesia. They can also guide your family members and friends on how to be supportive of you. Don't downplay the symptoms. Book an appointment right now and prevent it from becoming a thorn in your personal and social life.