Anxiety Memory Loss: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

High levels of anxiety can cause alterations in memories about situations of daily life. In many cases, people who experience continuous stress have a tendency to lose data that is stored in short-term and long-term memory. As a result of this, it is possible that various consequences are suffered that directly affect the development of their daily activities. Living with emotional discomfort is one of the most complex challenges that exist. However, there are some solutions that can help recover memories that have been lost due to anxiety.

In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about the memory loss due to anxiety: symptoms, causes and treatment.

Index

1. What is memory loss due to anxiety?
2. Symptoms of memory loss due to anxiety
3. Causes of memory loss due to anxiety
4. How to recover memory due to anxiety

Memory loss due to anxiety occurs when the person exposes himself to situations that he considers dangerous

Although reference is made to temporary episodes of life, there may be a affectation of the organism that causes the proliferation of memories. In the vast majority of cases, the massive release of the cortisol hormone produces a stress response that interferes with information storage.

This condition has some manifestations that unfold at the level of emotions, thoughts and behaviors of an affected person. Next, we will see the symptoms of memory loss due to anxiety:

• Difficulties with attention and concentration: In general, the levels of focus on specific stimuli tend to drop during times of high stress.
• Inability to remember specific events: despite the fact that the person remembers many events in her life, mental blocks appear that prevent the memory of situations connected with anxiety.
• intrusive thoughts: On several occasions, it is possible that ideas linked to mobilizing events that occurred in the past arise. The main characteristic of them is that they do not stop quickly and affect concentration.

It is necessary to mention that these symptoms usually disappear after anxiety levels decrease. However, it is recommended to see a mental health specialist in the event that these problems seriously affect the development of daily life.

Understanding the origins of this problem is usually a vital help, since it allows us to think of solutions that improve the quality of life. In this section, we will talk about the causes of memory loss due to anxiety:

flight response

Faced with situations that are interpreted as a danger to the person, they tend to be avoided as a way of survival. Therefore, the brain enters a constant alertness that disables the memory of traumatic moments. In this sense, an escape is presented as a defense mechanism against something that cannot be assimilated.

fears of the past

Some people experienced very painful situations in the past that they prefer not to remember. However, this is not something voluntary because the mind tries to protect itself from those moments of discomfort. In this article we explain How to heal emotional wounds from the past.

Uncertainty about the future

Although this is not so common, on some occasions it can also happen that the future is a source of constant concern for the person When these ideas come into connection with situations from the past, memory loss due to anxiety occurs.

Beyond the obstacles that this problem entails, there are some effective solutions that can bring significant relief to people suffering from memory loss anxiety. We show them to you below:

• psychological therapy: the therapeutic space invites reflection on personal conflicts. In short, the help of a mental health professional accounts for important benefits for quality of life due to the fact that an approach is made based on the patient's history. Indeed, it is possible to remember situations that had been forgotten.
• Meditation: This discipline requires a concentration on the present through a diaphragmatic breathing. In general, it is usually done through an instructor who guides the process. On the other hand, meditation allows you to make memories in a calm and safe way.
• Physical exercise: To reduce stress, it is important to resort to effective methods such as sports and/or activities that involve body movements. Physical exercise enables relaxation of the central nervous system, which decreases anxiety.
• Healthy nutrition: It is advisable to carry out a balanced diet that contains the necessary nutrients for the body. In this way, the degree of relaxation of mind and body can be increased.

This article is merely informative, at 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 Anxiety Memory Loss: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

• Sanz Blanco, R., Miguel-Tobal, J.J., Casado Morales, M.I. (2011). Memory biases in Anxiety Disorders. Clinical and Health Magazine, 22 (2), 187-197.