Introduction
Amnesia or memory loss is a condition where a person experiences a loss of memory information without a loss of self-awareness (not remembering who he/she is).
Dissociative amnesia is not the same as simple amnesia. With dissociative amnesia, the memories still exist but are deeply buried within the person's mind and cannot be recalled. However, the memories might resurface on their own or after being triggered by something in the person's surroundings.
Overview and Facts
According to the studies done on amnesia, it was found that amnesia does not affect a person’s intelligence, general knowledge, awareness, personality or identity. It is also known that in cases of severe amnesia, it may be impossible to recover lost memories.
Dissociative amnesia was also found to be more common in women than in men. The frequency of dissociative amnesia tends to increase during stressful or traumatic periods, such as during wartime or after a natural disaster.
Symptoms
The two main symptoms of amnesia are:
- anterograde amnesia which is an reduced ability to learn new information following the onset of amnesia
- retrograde amnesia which is a reduced ability to recall past events and previously familiar information
Other symptoms include false memories, neurological problems and confusion.
Causes and Risk Factors
Amnesia can result from damage to brain structures which control emotions and memories.
The chance of developing Amnesia could increase in case of:
- Brain surgery, head injury or trauma
- Stroke
- Alcohol abuse
- Seizures
Tests and Diagnosis
To diagnose amnesia, a person should consult a mental health professional who will rely on scientific criteria to check whether he/she has that disorder. Diagnosing amnesia includes a physical assessment and cognitive examination provided by the doctor or mental health professional.
Treatment
No medications are currently available for treating most types of amnesia. Mental health professionals use several techniques such as occupational therapy which involves learning new information to replace what was lost, or to use memories as a basis for taking in new information and memory training. Some people also use electronic organizers for day to day activities such as the ones integrated in smart phones or handheld devices. Other memory aids include notebooks, wall calendars, and photographs of people and places.
Sources and Links