Causes Of Memory Loss In Adolescents

Short term memory loss is an unusual forgetfulness. Someone who experiences this can recall memories from years ago, but are fuzzy when it comes to the details of what happened 20 minutes ago. There are many ways a person can get memory loss. It can be the result of a medical condition, an injury, or psychological. One of the main causes of memory loss in adolescents is depression and stress.

To first understand how someone can develop memory loss from being depressed or stressed they must understand what these conditions consist of. “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.“ (Depression, 2015, July 22). Depression has many side effects that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat,

When most people think of stress they think of the physical effects such as headaches or upset stomachs. Stress can also affect your mental health. When you are tense and your mind is overstimulated or distracted, your ability to remember can suffer. Long-term stress can disrupt communication between brain cells and can affect the brain's ability to store information and create solid memories which can result in short-term memory loss.

There are many things that can cause stress and depression. First is academic stress. There is a constant pressure on teens every day to succeed academically. They can find it difficult to live up to their parents and teachers’ expectations. If a child is not excelling in school the struggle will begin.

Memory Loss

Talking with family members, joining a support group, or receiving therapy are examples of a natural solution. Taking medication is also another fix. Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders often occur together, and research shows that both respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications (Treatment, n.d.). Medication is the most common way people cope with depression and stress because most people feel uncomfortable talking about their problems to others so they find that it is easier to take medicine. Lastly, there is physical exercise. It offers physiological benefits that can help people going through depression. Physical activity relieves stress and can make you feel good. Also, the satisfaction you get from finishing an engaging and challenging workout can boost your self-esteem