Trauma is a person’s response to any distressing condition. As a result, people consider some situations stressful. On the other hand, some consider them in different ways. One of the potential effects of trauma is memory loss. Moreover, this condition is not only scary but also leads to frustration. People suffering from trauma feel helpless and threatened in the presence of others.
Trauma can cause disturbing anxiety and depression. Furthermore, persons face difficulty in regulating their emotions after experiencing the trauma. However, if you want to know that can trauma cause memory loss, this article is remarkable for you.
Trauma
Trauma results from experiencing harsh and unforgettable life events. Therefore, a person’s physical, emotional, and social capabilities get altered, which results in negative outcomes. Memory loss is one of the adverse effects of trauma.
Trauma and Psychosis
Psychosis can result from any traumatic situation. It involves the combined symptoms that can affect the person’s mental capabilities. An affected person loses control over the brain and feels confused about everything. They also feel difficulty in distinguishing reality and perceptions. Psychosis is the main factor that can direct your mind to consider that can trauma cause memory loss.
Main Components of Trauma
There are three significant E’s involved in the trauma, which includes:
Event
Any experience that leaves the scary memories can result in trauma.
Experience
Each person perceives each experience in different ways. Therefore, some get completely involved in the trauma effects while some stay quite normal. However, the most common feelings associated with each experience include:
- Fear
- Shame
- Isolation
- Anger
- Betrayal
Effect
After facing a traumatic event, effects appear on the person’s behaviour. As a result, some effects are for short periods, while some are highly persistent. Mostly, traumatic effects usually result in the generation of new problems. Effects can make you believe that can trauma cause memory loss or not.
Types of Traumatic Experiences
Different types of traumatic experiences have their impacts, which include:
Acute Trauma
A single unpleasant or stressful event causes acute trauma. Additionally, acute trauma can result in acute stress disorder, which happens in the first month after a traumatic event.
Complex Trauma
On the other hand, in complex trauma, individuals experience multiple traumatic events. Complex trauma endures long-term effects.
Early Childhood Trauma
Children in early ages usually face early childhood trauma. Consequently, early stressful events affect the learning behaviour of children. This is common in childhood stages that can trauma cause memory loss.
Major Trauma
Major trauma resulted from the life-threatening injuries. This trauma can cause long-term effects or death in severe cases. Furthermore, major trauma also includes adverse childhood traumas. In the same way, various studies have also indicated that 65% of children suffer from at least one adverse trauma in their lives. However, 40% of children are those who have experienced or witnessed multiple adverse traumatic situations. So it is evident from studies that can trauma cause memory loss.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse causes any physical injury. Moreover, parents, friends, or any unknown person can be the source of physical abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves the undesired interaction between the child and adult. This involves the use of children for sexual stimulation. Adults abuse the child to fulfil their sexual desires. Additionally, the ratio of sexual abuse is greater in children. Adults and girls also face sexual abuse in any part of their lives. However, based on the severity, can trauma cause memory loss.
Sex Trafficking
This specifically involves the sexual exploitation of a person. As well as this crime also involves the transport of people from one place to another for sexual needs.
Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma results from the particularly life-threatening or frightening situation that occurs in childhood. Any child can suffer from childhood trauma in his life. Childhood trauma particularly exerts a negative influence on their life. Children often remain unsecured and feel helpless, too. Additionally, they avoid engaging in social activities and, therefore, stay alone. If you have also experienced childhood trauma, then there is also a greater likelihood of memory loss. In case of severe memory loss, you can also forget your traumatic experiences. The extent is based on how can trauma cause memory loss.
Medical Trauma
Medical trauma involves the exposure to the different medical conditions. So, various lethal diseases such as cancer can also cause medical trauma. This trauma can vanish by treating the medical condition.
Bullying
Bullying involves the use of torturing words or actions against any individual. Usually, children experience bullying in their school time. Despite this fact, bullying disturbs mental stability. It is considered less powerful.
Intimate Partner Violence
This type of violence involves discouraging behaviour among couples. The aggressions of partners can significantly impact their romantic relationship.
Terrorism
A brutal situation of terrorism can result in traumatised situations too. Because, terrorist acts involve blasts, shootings, and other types that leave a profound impact on individuals.
Disasters
Due to natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes, different traumatic conditions are also generated. Natural disasters are responsible that can trauma cause memory loss.
Effects of Trauma on Health
Some recent studies have reported the effects of trauma which are following:
- A greater chance of suffering from sexually transmitted infections
- Increased Smoking
- More chance of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Secondly, a person becomes an alcoholic
- Greater probability of dissociative disorders, adjustment disorders, Mood disorders, Eating disorders etc.
Additionally, adolescent childhood experiences result in more severe outcomes such as:
- Diabetes
- Major depression or anxiety
- Focus on suicidal thoughts
- Greater probability of having a chronic disease such as cancer, cardiovascular disorder, or stroke
Trauma in Adulthood
Adults can also suffer from different adverse traumatic events. Physical and physiological responses can vary in adulthood. Primarily, various studies have reported that approximately one-third of American females are the victim or eyewitnesses of rape and domestic violence. In addition, this situation is not only limited to females; males also experience lethal situations. Both male and female adults have reported that can trauma cause memory loss.
How does childhood trauma affect Memory Loss?
The brain is the major organ that is involved not only in processing but also in storing information. If the brain gets damaged, it can not effectively perform its function. This subsequently results in memory loss. The extent of memory loss depends on the severity of brain injury.
Along with this, physiological brain damage can also result in memory loss. If the emotional disturbance persists for a longer period, it results that can trauma cause memory loss.
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative amnesia majorly involves drastic memory loss. Affected persons are unable to remember the important information. This condition can result from prolonged stress or any adverse trauma. Additionally, in most cases, people are unaware of this condition. Besides this, whenever they are asked certain questions about their previous life, they also become confused.
Moreover, various medical conditions can also cause dissociative amnesia. Approximately 2% of American adults suffer from amnesia every year.
Symptoms of Dissociative Amnesia
One of the primary and potential symptoms of dissociative amnesia is memory loss. The condition is usually more severe despite normal forgetfulness. However, a person faces more difficulty when they forget their vital information.
How Trauma Affects the Memory?
Different parts of the brain are involved in memory function. Any stress or traumatic event not only damages the following brain parts but can also result in memory loss.
Hippocampus
The hippocampus, a complex brain part, functions as a major brain centre. Both parts of the hippocampus have their functions. The right hippocampus regulates spatial memory. On the other hand, the left part is not only involved in the recognition but also the storage of facts. Besides this, the hippocampus also manages the functions of the hypothalamus and controls emotions.
Prefrontal Cortex
This part of the brain is involved in the processing of daily life information. The prefrontal cortex is involved in regulating not only our thoughts but also our emotions.
Amygdala
The amygdala is also involved in the processing of fear-based memories. Moreover, the amygdala also functions significantly in generating long-term memory.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
This syndrome is caused by excessive drinking. In the same way, people suffering from this condition are unable to retrieve the memories. Apart from this, the generation of new memories is also difficult in this condition. This condition damages the central and peripheral nervous system. In contrast, this causes abnormal brain functioning and the resulting memory loss.
How to Treat the Trauma induced Memory Loss
Recovery of memory loss depends on the severity. However, different therapies are used to enhance brain function, such as:
Cognitive Rehabilitation
In this therapy, a person suffering from memory loss particularly works well with the therapist. In this way, patients also get the chance to learn new skills. Besides this, they can also rediscover as well as enjoy past skills. In the same way, cognitive rehabilitation improves not only thinking ability but also memory.
Cognitive Stimulation therapy
This therapy is used to treat the complications associated with memory loss.
Mindfulness Techniques
These are the specialized techniques that give you peace of mind. Firstly, you learn to enjoy your present by forgetting the past and future thoughts. Moreover, you can employ mindfulness techniques in different ways. You can perform physical workouts, meditation, or yoga. Undoubtedly, by regularly following the mindfulness techniques, you can control your memory loss. Ultimately, you will achieve a better state of mind.
Improved Sleeping Patterns
Sleep is the best way to control your emotions and thoughts. People who suffer from trauma usually face difficulty in sleeping. So you should also make a proper sleep schedule. Moreover, you should also follow healthy bedtime habits.
Indulge in Healthy Activities
Firstly, give your time to brain-boosting productive games and improve your memory. b you can perform different visualization tasks and solve the puzzles. These activities will modify your logical skills and enhance your brain’s memory.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet also plays an important role in effective brain functioning. Therefore, if you want a healthy brain and improved memory, you can eat protein-rich food, nuts, chocolates, vegetables, fruits, coffee and berries. Avoid smoking and different alcoholic drinks and beverages to control memory loss.
Medications
Particularly to treat the mild to moderate symptoms of memory loss, you can follow the psychiatric medicines management. The most commonly used medicines include:
- Rivastigmine
- Reminyl
- Aricept
- Donepezil
Besides this, if you have severe anxiety and depression, you can also take antidepressants. But be careful while taking some antidepressants; it can cause memory loss, too.
Stroke
Stroke is also a severe medical condition that involves the leakage of blood vessels in the brain. Additionally, stroke can also result in short-term memory loss.
Find the best Therapist
The best way to treat the situation that can trauma cause memory loss is to find the best therapist. A professional therapist should have the following qualities:
1.A therapist should create a secure environment for the sharing of traumatic life experiences.
2.A therapist should focus on effective psychological evaluations
3.Furthermore, a therapist should have strong analytical skills to identify the genetic reasons for memory loss
If you are also looking for a professional therapist, then the Renewed Mental Health group can cater to your needs. You are at the right place. Our platform has helped thousands of patients by treating their medical health issues. Our finest telehealth services are exceptional in providing the best treatment for trauma and memory loss. So don’t wait any longer and start your journey for improved mental wellness.
