Memory Loss Symptoms and Causes

Memory loss symptoms are generally noticeable to someone very close to and familiar with the affected person, but may largely go unnoticed by most others. For this reason diagnosis can at times be very tough as it becomes hard to tell if the memory loss is normal forgetfulness or is caused by some condition, disease or brain damage. The general and accepted memory loss symptoms would include the inability to recall events in either the short term or long term, a memory loss that progressively worsens over time, irritation, confusion and even difficulty comprehending and completing tasks. The symptoms are determined by the kind of memory loss, which depends on the cause.

Memory loss is a normal and accepted feature of the aging process. In normal circumstances however this kind of memory loss will not prevent you functioning normally and living a productive life.


This kind of memory loss just means that remembering a name or a recent task or event may be more challenging and require a lot more effort, and the affected person is in fact likely to be aware about his or her memory loss. On the other hand an individual suffering from a memory loss that is caused by conditions other than aging, like Alzheimer’s disease may sense that there is something wrong but will be unable to identify the cause of that feeling. They are in fact most likely to behave as if there is nothing wrong and avoid drawing any attention to a memory lapse.

Memory loss that is associated with Alzheimer's worsens significantly over time, but is not the only symptom.


Some of the most common and early symptoms of Alzheimer's and other conditions that affect the memory are as follows:

1. The individual may ask or inquire about the same thing repeatedly.
2. The individual may at times find it tough to express himself, with problems finding the right words to use.
3. The individual may not be able to perform a familiar task despite the fact that he or she may have performed that very same task previously on numerous occasions without any flaws.
4. The individual may also display symptoms that are easy to mistake and regard as absent mindedness. For example the person may misplace items and often place them in inappropriate places, such as storing a wallet in the freezer.
5. Another alarming sign is that the individual may get lost while in familiar areas or in their own neighborhood.
6. The individual may also experience mood or behavioral changes for no apparent reason.

All of these memory loss symptoms could be indicative of a memory loss disorder that could be caused either by a disease like Alzheimer’s or due to brain damage from trauma or an injury.

Signs of memory loss

Most of us have been in situations where we forget the simplest things, such as where we kept our car keys or the name of an old friend. Such infrequent lapses are normal and do not mean there is a serious problem. However, if such memory lapses become increasingly common, it may be a case of memory loss. For example, if you keep forgetting your own office number, it can indicate a deeper problem. Memory loss symptoms include feeling confused because the surroundings or the situation seems unfamiliar. Often, a patient may find herself in random locations without remembering how or why she came there. In extreme cases, patients may appear to forget the names of common objects or will mix up names of friends and relatives. Patients even forget lifelong skills, such as driving a car or baking a cake.

It is possible to classify such memory loss symptoms based on short and long term memory. For example, short term memory loss symptoms are usually linked to events and information that occurred only a few minutes ago. For example, patients with short term memory loss often keep forgetting what they were doing. This can be frustrating and confusing both for the patient and loved ones. Luckily, it is possible to train your brain to improve short term memory. Try hobbies that make use of short term memory, such as puzzles or word games. You can also find video game titles that claim to exercise your brain and improve memory retention. An inexpensive alternative is to create lists of numbers or information and memorize in just a few seconds. At first you may remember only 2-3 of the top items, but soon you could be comfortably recalling 7 or more.  

Memory loss causes include actual physical trauma to the head, which may damage brain cells related to processing incoming data and creating memories. Intense psychological pressure also produces symptoms of memory loss, especially when the subconscious is trying to hide unpleasant memories. Some cases of memory loss are linked to psychosomatic disorders, while others show no obvious cause and are difficult to diagnose. Patients have also suffered from memory loss after a stroke or brain tumor. Long-term alcohol or substance abuse can also damage the brain cells required for normal functioning of memory. In older individuals, memory loss is usually more common. In most cases, it is caused by degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. At the onset of the condition, Alzheimer’s symptoms appear very similar to memory loss symptoms related to short term memory. However, Alzheimer’s is usually seen in senior citizens and is a degenerative disease. The patient’s symptoms keep getting worse, and soon the long-term memories start to slip away.