Many people are familiar with temporary memory lapses or spontaneous temporary forgetfulness. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern, but is usually due to lack of concentration, tiredness or the normal ageing process. If you notice that you are experiencing frequent or persistent forgetfulness, a medical check-up is helpful.
Below you will find further information on types of amnesia and their treatment as well as selected amnesia specialists.
The term amnesia (Greek mnémē = memory, recollection) initially refers to a general loss of memory. There are considerable variations with regard to the type, cause and course of the illness.
Medicine distinguishes between different forms of amnesia, which affect affected patients very differently depending on the severity and trigger. Each subtype has its own symptoms, which often overlap:
Some people suffer from amnesia in old age due to dementia © zinkevych | AdobeStock
Amnesia usually occurs in connection with an underlying illness or a specific event. It is to be understood as a concomitant phenomenon that has an organic or psychogenic cause.
Psychogenic amnesia is caused by a stressful situation that was extremely distressing for the person affected. The trauma of the event leads to a mental overload and results in a repression of the experience. The person affected no longer remembers what happened.
Organically induced amnesia is the result of a disorder in the brain, for example
Amnesia can also be a late consequence of medication and alcoholism.
Risk factors are avoidable health-damaging behaviors, such as heavy long-term alcohol consumption or smoking.
The hippocampus in the brain plays a central role in amnesia. Its external shape resembles a seahorse, which gives it its name. The hippocampus is essential for memory performance. It is also known as the working memory and is no longer able to store new events in the brain in the event of disorders or injuries.
The doctor will first examine you and find out about your situation. This includes questions about the type and extent of the memory gaps as well as possible connections with an event as the triggering moment. The more precise your answers are, the more helpful they will be in assessing the type of amnesia you may be suffering from.
Various memory tests can also help with the diagnosis. They enable an assessment of short and long-term memory. Imaging procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) or computer tomography(CT), are also conceivable for clarification.
Measuring brain waves using electroencephalography (EEG) is also common. This makes it possible to determine whether epilepsy may be responsible for the memory loss.
In some cases - with your consent - it is helpful to involve friends or relatives. This can help to gain a better understanding of the extent and duration of your memory gaps.
Specialists in neurology and psychiatry are responsible for making a diagnosis.
The treatment of amnesia depends on the specific cause. The doctor usually treats the underlying disease, for example epilepsy or a stroke.
In the case of an accident as the trigger, the associated findings define the treatment.
If a psychological trauma is responsible for the amnesia, psychotherapeutic treatment is usually recommended. Various relaxation techniques, such as yoga or autogenic training, have also proven to be helpful in many cases.
In principle, there are no ways to prevent amnesia. If you are affected, there are many options for memory training. Your doctor will advise you on suitable exercises that are individually suited to you.
Reducing stress in everyday life also has a positive effect on memory performance, as do understanding and patience from close relatives.
The course of amnesia varies considerably depending on the existing form and its severity.
In the case of reversible memory loss, treatment of the underlying illness is a prerequisite for recovery. In the case of serious organic diseases, especially in connection with dementia, amnesia can no longer be cured. However, with the right therapy, it can be stabilized at the existing level for some time.
The prognosis for amnesia as a result of an accident is better than for Alzheimer's disease. Supportive services that help are essential for the further course of memory loss,
The more this happens, the better the prospects for those affected.
Amnesia is always an incisive and, for many people, threatening event. Memories create identity and memory loss is therefore often traumatic. In many cases, there are very good treatment options and chances of recovery.
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