Forgetting important and key events in life is completely different from being a little forgetful. When you start forgetting important milestones in life, memorable events, key people in our lives, and vital facts we have been told or taught, it is called Amnesia. People with Amnesia may have trouble learning new information and forming new memories.
This means that Mild memory loss can be a normal part of aging. Whereas, significant memory loss or inability to form new memories is development stage of amnesia disorder.
Causes of Amnesia:
- Anoxia
Depletion of oxygen levels can lead to memory loss. This condition is called anoxia. In some cases where the anoxia isn’t severe enough for causing brain damage, then the memory loss can be temporary.
- Head injuries
Traumatic head injuries and stroke, can also cause damage to your brain. This damage can cause problems related to permanent memory loss. Commonly disrupt memories of the hours, days, or weeks before and after you were injured can be experienced.
- Trauma
Severe stress or trauma can be a big cause behind amnesia. In this condition, your mind rejects thoughts, feelings, or information that you’re too overwhelmed to handle.
- Dementia
A memory’s location in your brain is thought to depend on its age. People suffering with dementia usually forget recent memories first and are able to keep older memories longer.
- Damaged hippocampus
Your hippocampus is a part of the brain and is responsible for memory. Its usual functions involve forming memories, organizing memories, and retrieving them when needed. When your hippocampus is impaired, you will have difficulty forming new memories.
When to see a Doctor?
When a person starts to experience unexplained memory loss, confusion or head injury that requires immediate medical attention. Or, help the person get some medical attention, if he has the below mentioned symptoms of Amnesia.
Symptoms of Amnesia are:
- Memory loss
- Inability to form new memories
- Difficulty recalling facts, events, places, or specific details
- False memories (confabulation), made up of genuine memories misplaced in time or either completely invented
- Confusion
