Memory problems – When should you be alarmed?

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Memory loss stands to be one of the most common issues in mental health today, and it raises a lot of questions in people's minds. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, many individuals find themselves struggling with their memory, but when is it a simple case of forgetfulness, and when does it become something more serious? He shares his thoughts on this in today's blog.

In everyday life experiences, people have had moments when their memory has failed them one time or another. Some may have forgotten a person's name. Others may have even had an episode or two of not remembering where they put their keys or something closely associated with them, like a pair of spectacles. Some folks may have even experienced forgetting to lock the front door.

Dr. Curtis Cripe shares here some scenarios that should give you a cause for concern.

One example of a red flag is when you forget the names of people you are relatively familiar with. Perhaps it's somewhat normal to forget the name of an acquaintance from the past. It may be acceptable even to forget your neighbor's name if you don't go any further than the casual "hi and hello," which doesn't even happen every day. If you forget the name of your best friend, your favorite cousin, or even an immediate family member, there is definitely a problem.

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Another sign of an issue is when you start forgetting common patterns of action that you are supposed to know, otherwise known as schemas. If you can't remember how to drive a car all of a sudden, or if you are typically immersed in work, and you suddenly don't know how to operate your own computer, you need to be brought to a specialist right away.

Finally, you know you have a memory issue when you suddenly don't remember how to reach places which are supposed to be familiar to you, says Dr. Curtis Cripe. You might get lost in a place that has seen many urban developments since the last time you were there a couple of years back. However, the issue gets more serious if you forget how to go back to your own home, especially if you've been doing this routinely for many consecutive days prior.

Curtis Cripe, Ph.D., comes from a multidisciplinary academic and professional background that spans several disciplines, which include bioengineering, addiction recovery, psychophysiology, behavioral medicine, brain injury, and child neurodevelopment. Today, he is the director of research and development at the NTL Group. For similar reads, visit this page.

Common Causes Of Forgetfulness

Most people associate forgetfulness or memory loss with the stereotype of age and the associated onset of dementia or the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. But there’s more to forgetfulness than growing old. And the happy news is that often the causes of memory loss are treatable.

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One is the use of medications. Certain blood pressure pills, painkillers, and antidepressants can cause forgetfulness because they keep one sedated or to control mood swings. The best advice here is to talk to your doctor if you feel that a particular drug is causing you to forget things so that you can be prescribed an alternative.

The second most common cause is general lack of sleep, which can be a consequence of anxiety. These go hand-n-hand in leading to poor memory. The brain ceases to function properly when one is sleepless, leading to poor decision-making and an inability to focus and recall. In the same vein, too much worrying will lead to blocking the formation of new memories.

Drinking alcohol is also a prime reason for forgetfulness, particularly short-term memory loss. Those who drink too much will have moments when they “blacked out” and can’t remember how they even got home. Sometimes alcohol can interfere with the ability to recall even when the effects have worn off.

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Finally, the serious disorder that is depression may cause people to forget. If you are having trouble with finding pleasure in things you’d normally enjoy, or feeling less sociable and having not much drive, you’d feel detached and unable to focus on new experiences and thoughts. Seek immediate help from a psychologist if the symptoms are present.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the director of research and development for the NTL Group. He has published two peer-reviewed papers and wrote two book chapters on neurotherapy and neuroengineering. More insights on neurology here .