One of the most pervasive fears as we age is memory loss. There are different types of memory and today we will focus on short-term memory or working memory. It is a temporary memory, that is to say, it is one that works so that we momentarily remember something. For example, when we memorize for a few seconds an address that we have been given until we write it down. This memory plays an active role while we speak, think and act, which is why it is essential in our daily lives.
This type of memory can be affected by different causes. Symptoms of memory loss can be disorientation in space or time or not remembering recent important events. In this Psychology-Online article, we will talk about the different causes of short-term memory loss and different types of treatment that can be applied for the prevention of its loss and for its improvement in the case of having lost it. We will see the causes of memory loss in young and old, sudden and transitory, but also how to improve memory with exercises to exercise memory and good foods for the memory.
Index
- Diseases that cause short-term memory loss
- Exercises for short-term memory loss
- Remedies for short-term memory loss
Diseases that cause short-term memory loss.
Age is one of the reasons why this type of memory can be affected. Although, this does not have to be the case since it depends on different factors such as the lifestyle that the person has had. However, in healthy aging, without any pathology, memory impairment will not be worrisome. In the event that the short-term memory loss is significant and disabling, it will be due to some pathology, abnormality or disorder.
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
The Alzheimer's it is a neurodegenerative disease that affects not only working memory, but others memory types as well as the personality of the individual who suffers it. Other types of dementias would also cause damage to working memory.
Dissociative disorders
The dissociative disorders They are a type of psychological disorder in which the person forgets part of their identity. This could also affect working memory.
Anxiety and stress
The fact of being stressed or anxious causes our brain to limit the information it pays attention to with the intention of being "more effective" and responding more quickly to the situation. Therefore, what has not been paid attention, cannot be remembered. That is why we speak of memory loss due to stress. In addition, anxiety arises because we have intrusive thoughts that upset and worry us, therefore, our attention would be focused on them, thus omitting external events.
ADHD
The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder it would also produce an affection in this memory due to what was mentioned in the previous point. By having attention on other types of stimuli and not being able to focus it on what interests us, memory would be affected since we have not given it the opportunity to work.
Depression
Another disease that can cause short-term memory loss is depression. Depressive disorders, following the aforementioned attentional process, would also produce an impairment to working memory. Since among the symptoms of depression we find cognitive symptoms, such as difficulties thinking, making decisions, concentrating ...
Alcohol intoxication
There are other causes of short-term memory loss, such as alcohol memory loss. Is it possible not to remember anything from drinking alcohol? In this article we explain the reason for the blackouts due to alcohol.
Exercises for short-term memory loss.
If memory loss is really pathological, you should go to professionals to evaluate and treat the cause. From home, you can stimulate memory and cognitive functions to avoid deterioration. What is good for the memory of adults? Performing different exercises can prevent or delay short-term memory loss.
Memorize lists
How to improve memory? One of the exercises to improve memory is to memorize and repeat the shopping list, a phone number or address can help to work on this memory.
Table games
Among the games to improve memory, we find games such as memory or chess, which make the person have to use working memory to play. The same happens with strategy games.
Crosswords
If looking for free memory and skill games, doing the newspaper crosswords is an excellent exercise to work on. working memory, since the definition must be preserved for a few moments until the corresponding word is found.
Reading
Among the best techniques to improve memory is reading, which is very useful for working memory since it has a high participation in this type of activity.
Crafts
Another of the exercises to improve memory is manual work. Knitting or doing any craft requires working memory, so the more we do these activities, the more reinforced it will be.
In this Psychology-Online article, you will find more memory games.
Remedies for short-term memory loss.
What is good for memory loss?
Avoid stress
A quiet life will facilitate concentration and, therefore, facilitate the function of short-term memory. So this is essential for it. In this article you can see how to manage stress.
Have good sleep habits
Not sleeping or sleeping for a short time or on bad occasions generates stress to the body and a lack of energy that prevents us from concentrating and paying attention. Therefore, it is essential to take care of this habit so that the working memory can act well.
Follow a healthy diet
Among the home remedies for memory we find healthy eating. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will give us the vitamins and minerals necessary for our brain and, therefore, our memory, to function. If you want to know more about vitamins for memory, we recommend this article about foods to improve memory.
Have a routine
Having a marked routine allows working memory not to have to participate so much and therefore makes our day to day easier.
Taking medications?
Are there medications for short-term memory? What to take for memory and concentration?
Today there is no drug treatment that improves short-term memory or other types of memory. When affected by anxiety reasons, the only medicine that could help its improvement are anxiolytics, and antidepressants in the event that it has been caused by depression. Memory supplements in older adults can help in some cases, you should ask your doctor or referring physician to assess each particular case.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Short-term memory loss: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.
Bibliography
- Ayadi, C., & Luis Báez, S. C. (2018). The role of anxiety in working memory capacity.
- Ostrosky Solis, F. (1998). When memory fails. Sciences, (049).
- Peres Arenas, X., & Pizarro Guerra, S. L. (2010). Short-term memory in the elderly. Ajayu Organ of Scientific Dissemination of the Department of Psychology UCBSP, 8 (2), 131-158.
