Most of us have, either occasionally or more frequently, had the unpleasant experience offorgetting something.
So, what causes us to forget?
What prevents us from mentally storing that piece of information or being able to recall it?
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Here are some of the many reasons we can’t remember.
Often, these emotional triggers of memory loss can be improved by support, counseling, and lifestyle changes.
Even just being aware ofand limiting exposure tothings that increase stress can help.
Stress
Too muchstresscan overload our minds and cause distraction and brain drain.
Consequently, recalling something that you weren’t paying attention to is difficult.
Depression can also cause problems with healthy sleep, which can make it more difficult to remember information.
Pseudodementiais a term that describes the combination of memory loss and depression.
Depression is usually highly treatable.
Often, a combination of counseling and medication can be very effective.
Some people have anxiety in certain situations, like this test-taking example.
Others have a more pervasivegeneralized anxiety disorderthat continually interferes with healthy functioning, including memory.
Identifying andtreating anxietycan significantly improve quality of life, and possibly memory, as well.
Consequently, our memory can suffer.
Deep grief takes time to process, and it’s appropriate and necessary to spend time in your grief.
you’re able to expect to feel drainedboth physically and mentallywhen you’re going through grief.
Give yourself extra time and grace while you’re grieving.
Individual counseling and support groups can help you to effectively cope with grief.
These can include prescription drugs, other mind-altering substances, and even surgeries.
If you go to different doctors for multiple conditions, double-check each one has your complete list of medications.
Ask your physician if any of your medications can be slowly reduced to eliminate this cause of forgetfulness.
Be sure to discuss your concerns with your physician.
Be sure to take steps like wearing protective headgear and helmets when playing sports.
Low Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a very important vitamin.
In more extreme cases, deficits in vitamin B12 have caused symptoms that have been mistaken for dementia.
Upon receiving adequate vitamin B12, those symptoms may improve and even resolve in some people.
Thyroid Problems
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause cognitive problems such as memory loss andbrain fog.
If you suspect encephalitis, seek emergency medical treatment.
Fortunately, this is a temporary condition that resolves in due time.
Some physicians prescribe hormonal supplements or other treatments to relieve the temporary symptoms of menopause.
Prompt treatment can often help restore memory to its normal functioning.
Strokes
Strokes can significantly affect brain functioning.
Depending on the severity and punch in of tumor, treatment can often relieve these symptoms.
These may be due to aging.
Distraction
Thinking about too many things at once?
Your brain has a limit on what it can effectively process simultaneously and remember.
Natural Memory Ability
Some people naturally just don’t have a great memory.
One symptom of MCI is forgetfulness.
Sometimes, MCI responds to medications that are designed to treat Alzheimer’s.
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