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

What Are Memory Loss Tests

A memory loss test examines numerous areas connected to memory loss, including physical and cognitive damage. This test might reveal the reasons for loss of memory, and it may aid doctors in developing a suitable and efficient treatment plan.

Generally a memory loss test begins with an evaluation from the patient’s health background. This generally addresses the type of memory loss and how it has advanced. It will also look at triggering factors, such as injuries or a distressing event, and if there is a family history of this type. There are several reasons for memory loss:

• Growths or infections
• Mind trauma or injuries
• Surgical complications
• Dietary problems
• Depression, bipolar-disorder, or panic disorders
• Alcohol or substance abuse

The next phase is generally a physical examination to check on physical function, reflexes, central nervous system, and brain health. Various tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, may be scheduled to look for brain damage or irregularities. Cognitive exams are frequently conducted, which enables a physician to determine the patient’s judgment, thought designs, and short and long-term memory. A memory loss test can help to understand the extent and possibly the reason for loss of memory. They additionally help your physician to develop the appropriate treatment needed.

Treatment

Following a thorough memory loss test, a physician will frequently be able to determine an appropriate treatment plan, which could include:

• Cognitive therapy - This treatment is generally completed with a therapist and studies have proven that psychotherapy can be quite useful as loss of memory therapy.
  
• Work therapy - This therapy trains patients to learn new information to replace what was lost.
  
• Neurofeedback therapy - This therapy utilizes a computer to retrain dysregulated brainwaves to a more structured pattern. Research has proven that neurofeedback works well in helping with loss of memory.

If you are suffering from loss of memory and you need to get help, a memory loss test is a step in the right direction. Talk to your physician regarding your treatment, and see if a memory loss test is right for you.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR MEMORY LOSS

How Food Choices Can Help Guard Against Memory Loss

One of the most unfortunate facts of existence is the fact that our memory is commonly reduced as we grow older. You will find a number of physiological reasons that the entire process of loss of memory happens, but regardless of what the reason, the end result continues to be same. Habits we’ve written a listing covering four of the greatest meals for enhancing your memory, together with the primary explanations why the items continues to be incorporated.

Seafood

When searching at meals that improve memory, sea food is a superb starting point. Meals like shrimp have high amounts of b12 that is vital for healthy cognitive abilities and nerves. Research has proven that B12 might help prevent memory decline. Seafood and seafood will also be wealthy in omega-3 essential fatty acids that have been associated with enhancing memory function and combating the results of getting older around the mind. Seafood like tuna, Spanish mackerel, and other fish also contain DHA, which is essential for that normal functioning of nerves within the brain.

Whole Eggs

Despite a current push for individuals to consume only the egg-whites, it works out it’s the yolk that really puts eggs on the listing of meals that improve memory. Egg yolks are wealthy in choline, which is a nutrient within the vitamin b complex family. Choline might help eliminate the bloodstream of harmful proteins, associated with leading to cancer and dementia. Additionally, it helps in the making of acetylcholine, which functions as our memory neurotransmitter. While egg yolks do also contain cholesterol, when eaten moderately whole eggs really are a very healthy choice for you and mind.

Leafy Eco-friendly Veggies

It isn't surprising the veggies result in the listing of meals that improve memory. We’ve always known that vegetables are healthy, but we're really still learning precisely why that's. Dark leafy eco-friendly veggies like green spinach, kale, broccoli and collard vegetables are not only seen good causes of e vitamin, they also contain vitamin B9, also known as folate or folate. B9 is essential for correct thinking processes, and plays a vital role in emotional and mental health. It helps in producing the genetic material, DNA and RNA, and it is especially needed when cells and tissue are increasing quickly, such as with infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Experts believe B9 enhances mental function by lowering amounts of proteins recognized to trigger nerve cell dying within the brain.

Meals Full of E Vitamin

Meals naturally full of e vitamin and “healthy” fats have amazing benefits for the brain, which makes them our final feature for meals that improve memory. This category includes nuts and nut butters, seed products, avocado, and oils for example essential olive oil, sunflower oil, and grape seed oil. Studies have proven that e vitamin assists in keeping both heart and brain healthy and functional.  It's a potent antioxidant, helping to safeguard the brain’s nerves and nerve cells. Based on research at Chicago’s Hurry College, the memory improving benefits result with e vitamin wealthy meals, although not with e vitamin supplements.

Apart from being meals that improve memory generally, these meals also have proven particular promise in reducing your chance of developing cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer’s. In Alzheimer's, nerves in a few areas of the mind begin to die, which jump-begins the cascade of occasions resulting in cognitive degeneration. A long term diet full of e vitamin wealthy meals might help safeguard your nerves from falling prey towards the disease later in existence.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS

Should You Worry About Sudden Memory Loss?

When is Sudden Memory Loss Serious?

As the years pass and we grow older, it's normal for some of our memories to fade. The brain has a tendency to prioritize things that are relevant to our immediate, present situation, so a bit of trouble remembering details, dates, or faces isn't a medical problem – it's just a fact of life. However, some people (no matter their age) experience a phenomenon known as sudden memory loss, and it can be a frightening experience. Whole swaths of a person's memories become suddenly irretrievable, and sometimes there is no immediate or obvious proximate cause or explanation.

Sudden memory loss sometimes has benign origins, and is a temporary side effect of a temporary condition that will resolve itself on its own. Sudden memory loss can be caused by:

1.       Medication. Certain drugs, such as antidepressants, can cause short-term sudden memory loss.

2.       Alcohol. Abusing alcohol can lead to sudden memory loss in a small window of time (this is often called blacking out).

3.       Transient Global Amnesia. This is a rare but frightening experience in which someone suddenly wakes up without any idea of how they got where they are or what they're doing there. Luckily, it's harmless and usually not an indication that there is something else wrong with the brain.

There are serious ailments that can cause sudden memory loss, as well – and in these cases, it's important to get medical attention right away.

1.       Transient ischemic attack. Just about everyone knows that someone who suffers a stroke experiences sudden memory loss, but there are also episodes called warning strokes or mild strokes that, in medical terminology, are known as transient ischemic attacks. These cause stroke-like symptoms, including sudden memory loss, but don't permanently damage anything. If you experience something like this, it's important to seek medical help right away.

2.       Emotional trauma. Sometimes horrible experiences, such as those that stem from war or acute physical or emotional abuse, can cause the brain to repress memories – mimicking the effects of sudden memory loss. In modern parlance, we would consider this an effect of post-traumatic stress disorder. While many people have suffered memory loss from emotional trauma, few seek the help of a therapist or other psychiatric professional to deal with the other effects of trauma, such as resultant mental illness.

3.       Epilepsy. When a person has a seizure (especially a grand mal seizure) their brain temporarily stops making memories, so there is usually a large gap in their memory during the time period surrounding the seizure. Due to oxygen deprivation, epilepsy can also cause retrograde or anterograde amnesia – meaning it can cause sudden memory loss about other time periods, as well.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR MEMORY LOSS