Depression and Memory Loss – The Connections You Should Always be Aware of

1 in 3 senior Americans dies from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The condition tends to rise very quickly, and researchers anticipate that by 2050 more than 5 million Americans will live with Alzheimer’s disease.

The general public is well aware of Alzheimer’s disease, and forgetfulness is the most common symptom that comes to mind. Forgetting something any now and then is quite reasonable, and mild cognitive impairment is expected as we age. The brain will need more time to recall the information, whereas storing new information becomes more challenging.

Even if Alzheimer’s disease could be a reason for your forgetfulness, some other factors may cause memory loss, especially if you’re dealing with depression. Keep reading for the details.

What common factors alter your memory?

It may sound surprising to many, but depression and anxiety could also be the reason behind your memory loss. Grief, vitamin deficiencies, poor sleep, and even antidepressants may impact your short memory negatively.

Are memory and depression connected in any way? How?

There are many symptoms of depression, and current patients are quite familiar with the “mental fog” that occurs with depression. At times, easy tasks become challenging for people with depression due to the mental difficulties.

Is depression affecting memory?

Some people may feel that they cannot function properly anymore. It becomes difficult for them to concentrate; they keep forgetting things and can no longer remember simple things, while having difficulties with tasks that used to be rather easy.

Studies revealed the negative impact of depression on memory. One study showed that people with depression would perform poorly in memory tasks as compared to subjects without depression. Researchers concluded that the slowing down of the brain’s speed to process information is the cause of memory difficulties. When the patient is depressed, the brain’s working memory ability is less functional, affecting the way information is stored. A study by the University of Texas revealed that depressed participants would have up to 12% reduction in memory compared to participants without depression.

Does poor sleep affect memory capacities?

Trouble sleeping is another common symptom of depression, and it can only worsen memory problems, making remembering things incredibly difficult. Even if more research is necessary, sleep is fundamental for the brain, helping it process memories. When patients don’t sleep, the mind will suffer. Eliminating caffeine, developing activities, and switching off technology before sleep are some of the little details for a good night’s sleep.

Quality of sleep is essential, and that is why treatment centers provide methods for improving sleep. For example, at Holistic Sanctuary, patients benefit from HBOT therapy, ozone therapy, and meditation, and Kundalini yoga, which will relax them and help them sleep throughout the night. Additionally, patients have access to spa, gym, and benefit from massage therapy- all methods help the body relax and improve the quality of sleep.

Don’t forget that what you eat also impacts the quality of your sleep. If gourmet meals are every day at some reputed treatment clinics, at Holistic Sanctuary, patients switch to raw, plant-based, organic, and non-GMO dieting, which will give them the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins they need. Healthy dieting improves the quality of sleep, whereas the organic linens and soft bedding will provide the comfort one needs for deep sleep.

Is memory improving when depression is gone?

Memory difficulties caused by depression will go away when depression is also going away. People opting for antidepressants will notice that medication will only aggravate the memory problems.

Many patients with depression turn to alternative treatment programs, where medication isn’t the primary treatment for depression. The Holistic Sanctuary, for example, prize itself with a comprehensive approach of depression (and other mental health conditions, addictions, and such). Here, treatment is addressing the healing of the mind, body, and soul. Every patient is different, so his/her treatment should be the same. Personalized therapy is fundamental, whereas the use of both innovative methods and ancient therapies is just as important.

HBOT therapy, ozone therapy, NAD vitamin IV drips, proprietary chakra rebalancing, parasite/candida cleanse, Gaba repair, Myers cocktail, and Mitochondrial repair protocol are some of the many therapies provided for patients with depression. Sacred plant medicine is also included for patients who qualify, as it helps patients access their inner traumas, and heal.

Unlike other treatment centers, there are no medications or antidepressants used at The Holistic Sanctuary, so the risk affecting memory, even more, doesn’t exist.

Memory, stress, and anxiety- the connection has always been there.

The connection is complicated; when the brain has to remember a piece of information, several steps are involved. At times, a small dose of stress may boost memory, but when pressure is too much and lasts for too long, it may affect the cognitive processes and function.

Stress has to use a lot of brain’s resources, so it will impact the brain’s ability to remember information and process memories. Patients who deal with stress and anxiety will find it hard to remember things, which damages memory.

When we’re feeling anxious, the body will release the stress hormone (cortisol) at a high level. The higher the level of cortisol, the more difficult for us to remember things.

Anxiety also leads to racing thoughts, and it’s tough for a person to remember something when there are so many other thoughts running through their heads.

If stress and/or anxiety is causing memory difficulties, finding out the deep root of the anxiety is the primary step for improving the memory. For example, at Holistic Sanctuary, patients are helped to go deep into their thoughts and identify the causes of their stress/anxiety/depression. Once they discover the reasons, they are taught to form new and healthy abilities to deal with life’s constant challenges. As patients learn how to deal with stress, their memory improves, leading to a better experience. 

When should you worry about memory loss?

Do you have problems remembering facts that happen some while ago? Can you not recall a conversation? Do you typically lose things and cannot seem to find the right words when speaking?

If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, it’s not wrong to talk with a professional. You may start your healing today, but you will need to get in touch with us first. Our team of professionals is ready to provide you all the information you need to make a choice. Psychologists, psychiatrists, life coaches, and alternative medicine practitioners are prepared to analyze your situation and create a personalized treatment for your depression.