Amnesiais a memory disorder.
People with amnesia cannot recall past experiences, form new memories, or both.
There are different types of amnesia.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
In some cases, the memory loss is temporary, and the person eventually recalls the information they lost.
But in other cases, the memory loss is permanent.
People may even lose their ability to make new memories.
Many myths and misconceptions about amnesia exist.
This article will review the truth about amnesia causes, characteristics, and treatments.
In rare cases, a person with amnesia can forget who they are.
When that happens, the cause is often severebrain traumaor brain disease.
However, most people with amnesia still remember who they are.
Misconception #2: There is only one throw in of amnesia.
One common misconception about amnesia is that there is only one throw in that affects all past memory.
Misconception #3: Amnesia is like dementia.
Amnesia is not the same thing asdementia.
Amnesia is memory loss that is a symptom of a more significant medical issue.
Dementia is a disease that causes degenerative memory loss.
People with dementia also suffer from other cognitive issues that dont occur in people with amnesia.
Many additional types of amnesia can involve forming both old and new memories.
They might even take on an entirely new identity.
Dissociative amnesia isoften triggered by extreme stress or trauma.
Post-Traumatic Amnesia
Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) is amnesia that comes after a brain injury.
PTA may also cause memory loss from before the brain injury occurred.
PTA is a state of disorientation to time, place, and person.
Memory recovery can take weeks or months.
In some cases, it may be permanent.
PTA Recovery
The process of recovery for people with PTA can be confusing and frustrating.
Some researchers believe this occurs due to the underdevelopment of the infants brain.
Transient Global Amnesia
Transient global amnesia (TGA) is sudden and temporary memory loss.
TGA comes on suddenly and usually lasts between one to eight hours.
While experiencing TGA, a person cannot make new memories or recall events during the period of TGA.
TGA usually resolves on its own, and researchers are unclear of the cause.
Neurological amnesia is triggered by various brain diseases, infections, or other medical conditions.
Functional amnesia is usually related to psychiatric issues or emotional trauma.
However, in severe cases, people with functional amnesia can forget who they are.
Many people with amnesia start by talking to their regular healthcare provider.
Treatment and Prevention
In many cases, amnesia is not preventable.
Therefore, protecting your brain can help to prevent amnesia associated with brain trauma.
Therapy for neurological amnesia can take time, and in some cases, memories may never return.
The best therapy approach will depend on the persons individual needs and what is causing the amnesia.
Isolating oneself can make this worse.
A strong support system of family, friends, and healthcare professionals can help make the experience less stressful.
Several factors can contribute to this memory loss, such as physical injury, infection, or emotional trauma.
In some cases, the memory loss is temporary, and the person eventually recalls the information they lost.
But in other cases, the memory loss is permanent.
Sudden memory loss is not normal, and it is essential to get help.
Someone suffering from sudden memory loss may be confused and may not understand what is happening.
The most common cause of functional amnesia is emotional trauma.
Amnesia affects brain structures that control emotions and memories and often include the thalamus and the hippocampus.
Allen RJ.Classic and recent advances in understanding amnesia.F1000Res.
2018;7:331. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13737.1
Cleveland Clinic.Dissociative amnesia.
National Health Service.Understanding and interacting with people in post-traumatic amnesia: information for relatives, carers and friends.
Alberini CM, Travaglia A.Infantile amnesia: a critical period of learning to learn and remember.J Neurosci.
2017;37(24):5783-5795. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0324-17.2017
Merck Manual.Transient global amnesia.
World Health Organization.Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines.
Harvard Health Publishing.Sleep welland reduce your risk of dementia and death.
