Forgetfulness vs. Memory Loss: Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action

Where did I put my keys? Do we need more bread? Which pages were for homework? Did I tell him this story already? Have I passed my exit?

These kinds of thoughts are commonplace, but sometimes they become frequent enough to cause concern. Memory and other cognitive problems can make even simple things in life more difficult. But what is "memory", and when should you be concerned?

What is "Memory"?

Memory is a series of cognitive processes that rely on coordination between multiple systems in our brain. There are multiple different types of memory.

· Episodic memory is often what comes to mind when people think of “memory”. Episodic memory is the ability to recall specific events, situations, places, and so on. For example, remembering your 16th birthday or that great vacation years ago.

· Semantic memory is another type of memory. Semantic memory is used primarily to recall specific facts and information—for example, triangles have three sides and the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.

· Procedural memory is the final type of memory. Procedural memory is knowledge of how we do things, and this aspect if often not something we consciously recall. As the adage goes, it’s like riding a bike. Your body remembers how to move whether you are intentionally thinking about how your feet move on the pedals or not.

In addition, the time frame of our memory makes a difference. For things that are happening now, we often rely on working and short-term memory. Short-term memory allows us to hold 7±2 pieces or “chunks” of information at once. It is brief and, if not rehearsed, fades quickly. Working memory is also a very brief element of memory, but it holds information we are actively working on or manipulating, like doing a math problem.

Long-term memory is what happens when we rehearse and store information for later use. When you study for a test, you are moving information from short-term into long-term memory so that you can hopefully retrieve that information on the exam. Unlike the relatively small capacity in short-term memory (7±2, remember?), long-term memory can hold extensive information. Your whole life story, in fact!

One flaw in long-term memory is that it is so extensive, we have to have a good way to find the information we need. Memory problems occur when the information was not actually stored, we cannot find it, or something has happened to disrupt the memory process.

The Computer Model of Memory

A computer is often used to help provide a practical explanation of how the memory system works. Imagine an open document. As you are typing information into it, this is the working memory manipulating and processing what is going on around you. We can leave that information in the document, mimicking our short-term memory. If you do not “save” the information and it “closes” (for example, you get distracted by another task or a few hours pass from the initial event) then, just like that essay that vanished during a power outage, we lose the information. Sometimes other distractors prevent the information from even making in initially, like typing away only to realize the keyboard is disconnected.

Of course, once the information is saved, we have to be able to find it again. If you do not recall where the document was saved, you may experience that frustrating “tip-of-the-tongue” phenomenon. However, once something provides you a cue, like opening recent documents on the computer, you can re-open it, retrieving the memory.

Sometimes the problems are more concerning, however. Like saving a document to a hard drive that fails on the computer. The information was there, it was saved, but due to a larger issue, it is no longer available.

What Goes Wrong?

We may experience challenges in each of these steps of the memory process. ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress and other mental health conditions can often impact working and short-term memory elements. Assessment and therapy can help you develop strategies to reduce the negative effects. This means less time spent trying to remember what was on that grocery list, stressing over due dates, or having your partner repeat what they said one more time.

Flaws in memory retrieval are very common, like forgetting where you placed your keys or what you came into the room for. However, if these episodes occur frequently or begin to impact other parts of daily functioning—like skipping medication, missing appointments, or not paying bills on time—then it may be time to evaluate the underlying cause. It may be the effects of aging, stress reactions, organizational difficulties, or, perhaps a warning sign that the hard drive is starting to break down.

This final issue is what people fear when they talk about “memory problems” like dementias, serious head injuries, strokes, and other conditions. These conditions disrupt long-term memory, which can lead to people forgetting what happened a week ago, who a family member is, or how long ago it was they put food on the stove to warm up. Such symptoms warrant a detailed conversation with medical and psychological providers to help diagnose and treat concerns.

What to Look For?

If you are concerned about your memory, or the behavior of a loved one, there are some key things to look out for.

· Do the memory concerns cause problems with their ability to function well at work, home, or school?

· Are the changes getting worse?

· Did the problems come out of the blue, or do they appear related to significant life events—such as a recent loss or move? 

· Are there other changes, like problems with speaking or personality differences?

Regardless, if you are concerned about memory, the best place to start is a conversation with your doctor. Psychological assessment may also be an important step, as it can examine different cognitive skills in order to determine whether changes are the result of normal life stress, the effects of aging, mental health concerns, or an underlying condition.

Schedule a Consultation for Assessment

If you have concerns about any element of your memory or other cognitive skills, please reach out to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation call to discuss your concerns and see what options may be available. This fall, cognitive assessment services will be offered through Upward Behavioral Health, using virtual assessment to examine attention, memory, language, and visuospatial skills to provide a clear picture of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Through interjurisdictional licensure, these exams can be offered to clients just about anywhere, whether you are in Alabama, Tennessee, or almost any other state.