One of the most widespread fears as we age is losing memory. 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, it is one that works for us to momentarily remember something. For example, when we memorize an address given to us for a few seconds 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 for different reasons. Symptoms of memory loss may include 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 to prevent its loss and to improve it if it has been lost. We will see the causes of memory loss in young people and the elderly, sudden and temporary, but also how to improve memory with exercises to exercise memory and foods good for memory.
Diseases that cause short-term memory loss
Age is one of the reasons why this type of memory can be affected. However, 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 deterioration will not be worrying. If the short-term memory loss is significant and disabling, it will be due to some pathology, anomaly or disorder.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
It is a neurodegenerative disease that affects not only working memory, but also others as well as the personality of the individual who suffers from it. Other types of dementia would also cause damage to working memory.
Dissociative disorders
They are a type of psychological disorders in which the person forgets part of their identity. This could also affect working memory.
Anxiety and stress
Being stressed or anxious causes our brain to limit the information it pays attention to with the intention of being “more effective” and giving a faster response to the situation. Therefore, what has not been paid attention to cannot be remembered. That’s why we talk about memory loss due to stress. Furthermore, 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
It would also produce an affectation in this memory due to what was mentioned in the previous point. By having our 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 attentional process already mentioned, would also cause a condition to working memory. Since among the symptoms of depression we find cognitive symptoms, such as difficulties thinking, making decisions, concentrating…
alcohol poisoning
There are other causes of short-term memory loss, such as alcohol memory loss. Is it possible to not remember anything by drinking alcohol? In this article we explain.
Exercises for short-term memory loss
If the memory loss is truly pathological, professionals should be consulted to evaluate and treat the cause. From home, you can stimulate memory and cognitive functions to avoid deterioration. What is good for adult memory? By performing different exercises you 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 work on this memory.
Table games
Among the games to improve memory, we find games like memory or chess, which require the person to use working memory to play. The same happens with strategy games.
Crosswords
If you are looking for free memory and skill games, doing newspaper crossword puzzles is an excellent exercise to work on working memory, since you have to preserve the definition for a few moments until you find the corresponding word.
Reading
Among the best techniques to improve memory is reading, which is very useful for working on working memory since it has a high participation in this type of activity.
Crafts
Another exercise to improve memory is manual work. Knitting or making 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.
Remedies for short-term memory loss
What is good for memory loss?
Avoid stress
A quiet life will make it easier for us to concentrate and, therefore, will facilitate the function of short-term memory. So this is essential for it. In this article you can see.
Have good sleeping habits
Not sleeping or sleeping for a short time or on bad occasions generates stress on 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 working memory can function 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 .
have a routine
Having a marked routine means that working memory does not have to be involved as much and therefore makes day-to-day life easier.
Taking medications?
Are there short-term memory medications? What to take for memory and concentration?
Today there is no pharmacological treatment that improves short-term memory or other types of memory. When affected by anxiety, the only medication that could help improve it are anxiolytics, and antidepressants in the event that it has been caused by depression. Memory supplements in older adults can help in some cases; the referring doctor should be asked to evaluate each particular case.
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 Short-term memory loss: causes and treatmentwe recommend that you enter our category.
Bibliography
- Ayadi, C., & Luis Báez, SC (2018). The role of anxiety in working memory capacity.
- Ostrosky Solis, F. (1998). When memory fails. Sciences(049).
- Peres Arenas, X., & Pizarro Guerra, SL (2010). Short-Term Memory in Elderly People. Ajayu Scientific Dissemination Body of the Department of Psychology UCBSP, 8(2), 131-158.