Memory Loss: Real or Imagined?

How often over the course of your life have you misplaced your car keys, forgotten an appointment or birthday, or made a wrong turn? Until recently, most of us would not have been concerned about the everyday things that can slip from our awareness. However, fears of developing Alzheimer's Disease may overshadow what were once issues of little concern and instead have created a bit of paranoia as we all experience our occasional "senior moments."

This is not to say that Alzheimer's is trivial or not a real issue. About 4 million people in the US have Alzheimer's. It is an illness that makes it hard for people to remember, think, and use language. The disease is more common in older adults and it affects all races. About 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 has Alzheimer's and as many as 5 in 10 people over the age of 85. And yet, many of the causes of forgetfulness are far less ominous and may have some applicable solutions that are surprisingly simple.

There are at least four other possible causes for difficulty in remembering:

1. Distraction: Although "multi-tasking" is the rage, going in several directions at one time means that there is a greater likelihood that details will be overlooked and often forgotten due to a lack of focus.
2. Depression: Many people suffering with memory loss are in the throes of depression. When one is depressed, inattention can result, with memory loss as one of the symptoms.
3. Deafness: With aging and due to environmental factors (loud music, work-related noise), the onset of deafness can be insidious. As a consequence, the ability to discriminate speech is diminished, resulting in wrong answers to questions - this might be interpreted as early dementia.
4. Delayed Recall: The time needed to recall detailed information can increase with aging. This is often interpreted as forgetfulness when what is really going on is a search through one's "archives," which can take a little longer.

I suggest that before you jump to the conclusion that you are literally "losing your mind," you consider these other possibilities and take some action on your own. I would also recommend that you not purchase over-the-counter memory aids, as doing so may prevent or delay you from looking for some of the deeper causes of memory loss.

Take some quiet time at the beginning of the day and reflect on what you want to accomplish and plan your tasks. Making a list is a helpful way of keeping some order.

If your memory loss is associated with sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness or thoughts of suicide, see a health professional at once. You may be struggling with depression.

Have your hearing tested by a professional audiologist. If you cannot properly discriminate speech, you will mis-hear what people are saying and respond inappropriately.

Be patient with yourself - if you cannot recall something immediately, give yourself a few minutes. The lost bit of data will often turn up and will diminish your anxiety as a consequence.

The Bottom Line: For the vast majority of us, dementia should not be the first thing that we think of when our memory temporarily fails. Take some time first to do a personal inventory.

Also, there is a growing body of evidence that one key way to keep yourself sharp is to exercise your mind. Read, write, play complicated games that require memory. If your work is technically demanding, think twice about retirement and instead structure a slowdown in your work schedule rather than total cessation. See your physician if you have any further concerns.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.