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Memory loss is a little-discussed side effect of all forms of depression. Depression disrupts the ability to think clearly. A person suffering from depression can continually fill their brain with negative thoughts such as guilt, self-blame, and low self-esteem, and beat themselves up by feeling helpless and beyond hope. Negative thoughts alone make it difficult to think clearly, pay attention to details and remember important facts. Depression also makes it difficult to concentrate, learn new things and solve problems. Finishing projects, like school work, will become difficult. Things that are normally remembered seem to slip away.
Hormone Imbalances
Our brain and memory system is highly complex and sophisticated. Prolonged periods of depression or stress can cause harm by increasing the brain’s stress hormone corticosterone. Also, levels of serotonin in the brain are reduced making it difficult to pay attention, or staying interested in activities that would ordinarily be pleasant and rewarding. Research and brain scans also indicate the possibility that the brain’s stress hormone cortisol may have a toxic effect on the hippocampus, actually causing shrinkage in some people. This shrinkage limits learning ability and memory processing in the brain.
Memory Loss Is Depressing
Of course, not being able to remember things causes more worry and more negative thoughts, which in turn foster more feelings of hopelessness, more stress and fear, and increases of hormonal activity.
It is quite disheartening to not be able to remember things like names, phone numbers, where you put your grocery list or where the post office is located. Depression makes retrieval of information more difficult. Even remembering faces and memories of happy times become difficult.
Suicide Danger
Depression continues to fill the brain with negativity to the point of a person not being able to remember a time when their life was happy and normal. It becomes easier to understand why a depressed individual would feel that all is lost and they might as well just give up. Suicide is always a potential danger.
Write Things Down
Besides receiving professional treatment, the depressed person should be realistic about the problem they are facing. Memory issues can be addressed more easily if the negativity is reduced and the person takes steps like writing things down. Why not give the person a gift of a multi-compartment diary organizer so they can keep track of appointments, things-to-do lists, phone numbers and addresses. This seemingly minor organizing will build confidence, remind them of repetitive routines and help remove some stress and pressure from their lives.
Be Patient
Having memory issues can be hard on a person, causing negativity. If at all possible be patient. Let them know the forgotten name or thought will come to them later. And don’t overlook the person’s diet. Green vegetables, especially spinach and fresh fruit all help to fight off harmful oxidants that contribute to cellular damage. Depression doesn’t go away over-night so try to create a calm, and as stress-free environment as possible.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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