Is There A Connection Between Depression and Memory Loss?

Few things are more frustrating than being unable to remember people, events, and facts. It can create a sense of instability and a concern that a serious condition such as Alzheimer’s might be imminent. The truth, however, is that the ability to remember is not nearly as set in stone as we might believe. Many things can have a negative effect on memory, including lack of sleep, medication side effects, and numerous physical conditions including depression. If a person is suffering from both memory loss and depression, the logical question is whether the two are related.

Knowing that depression can impact our ability to remember makes our memory seem quite fragile. It is much more accurate to think of the capacity to remember as elastic.  When the brain is functioning normally, we are able to perceive and collect information, storing it in memory as needed. When that function is disrupted, the mental processes required to understand and store information break down.

Current research has found a connection between depression and memory loss because both depression and memory loss are related to irregular brain function. Chemical imbalance and abnormal brainwave activity disrupt emotional balance, as well as the ability to perceive one’s surroundings and store impressions in memory. 

  A common symptom of depression is the inability to concentrate, making it difficult to remember specific events after the fact. With proper treatment for depression symptoms, it is quite possible memory function will also be restored for some patients.

There are other factors at play which link depression and memory loss. As noted in this article recently released by the University of Rochester School of Medicine, there may be a link between loss of cognitive ability, symptoms of depression and memory loss, and reduced levels of IGF-1, a hormone involved in growth and development. Although this study is primarily looking at the impact on older adults, their findings may have far-reaching implications in the field of memory loss.

It is logical to assume that there is a definite link between depression and the ability to remember. Because memories accumulate over time and contribute to a person’s ability to think, interact, and experience emotions, long-term untreated depression can then be considered a serious threat to quality of life.

When the symptoms of depression or memory loss are first recognized it is important to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional. In doing so, the emotional, intellectual, and social functioning of the patient can best be preserved.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR DEPRESSION AND MEMORY LOSS