There is some evidence that depression can lead to temporary memory loss.
But why does this happen, and what can be done about it?
Here’s what experts say.
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I think my body was trying to tell me to sleep until I could think straight.
She started struggling to remember things, even everyday events like going out to dinner with friends.
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I remember that I ate and came home and slept.
This isnt just unique to Thurstonthere is some evidence that depression cantemporarily affect a persons short-term memory.
Thankfully, its temporarybut still challenging for those who are experiencing it to cope.
Heres what mental health experts want you to know about the surprising depression side-effect.
How are depression and memory loss related?
A lot of the connection between depression and memory loss has to do with how our body handles stress.
The link between stress, depression, and physical fatigue is quite cyclical.
Depression also damages brain cells, saysDorothy Reddy, MD, owner of Neurogenex.
Thuston says the memory issues she faced were incredibly isolatingwhich made her depression even harder to cope with.
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What you should know is that fatigue is a warning sign to make changes, adds Dr. Sell.
Thurston has personally found journaling and meditation to be incredibly beneficial to both her depression symptoms and her memory.
[and] that has definitely helped as well.
As for meditation, she says that it helps provide clarity.
When Im clear-headed, I remember my days and conversations so much better, she adds.
(Research also suggests thatmindfulness meditation can improve short-term memoryand that people who meditate havea bigger hippocampus.)
Ive always just thought I had a bad memory.
But Im three years past the worst of it, and my memory is so much better!
My whole life is better, but definitely my memory too, she says.
Thedepression traffic lights methodcan help you better identify a loved one in need of help.
And heres what to know about EMDR, thetherapeutic treatment used for helping people with trauma.
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