Amnesia

Question:

I have observed I forget major events in my life…. One was traumatic one… I keep remebering it and I get distracted away from it. One day in 2005 I fully remebered everything. along with this many najor happenings I get very easily distracted away from these…. Until now? I believe certain medicatiopns… benzodiezapienes can cause this … or general sress…..like harrassement… Can You comment Pringers

This Disclaimer applies to the Answer Below
  • Dr. Schwartz responds to questions about psychotherapy and mental health problems, from the perspective of his training in clinical psychology.
  • Dr. Schwartz intends his responses to provide general educational information to the readership of this website; answers should not be understood to be specific advice intended for any particular individual(s).
  • Questions submitted to this column are not guaranteed to receive responses.
  • No correspondence takes place.
  • No ongoing relationship of any sort (including but not limited to any form of professional relationship) is implied or offered by Dr. Schwartz to people submitting questions.
  • Dr. Schwartz, Mental Help Net and CenterSite, LLC make no warranties, express or implied, about the information presented in this column. Dr. Schwartz and Mental Help Net disclaim any and all merchantability or warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or liability in connection with the use or misuse of this service.
  • Always consult with your psychotherapist, physician, or psychiatrist first before changing any aspect of your treatment regimen. Do not stop your medication or change the dose of your medication without first consulting with your physician.
Answer:

When someone has been through an extremely traumatic event it often occurs that full or partial amnesia sets in. If the trauma included a blow to the head as a result of something like an auto accident the amnesia will be permanent. Other types of trauma, for example, the types that occur during childhood, may be partially forgotten but not as a result of an injury to the head and, therefore, can be recovered. Certain types of therapy, such as EMDR, help people to recover those emotionally traumatic events. The reason why EMDR and other types of therapy are designed to help people remember these partially forgotten events is that they continue to cause people emotional difficulties in the present, even though they occurred years ago.

It appears, from what you write, that in 2005 you suddenly remembered something traumatic that happened to you. Since then you have experienced difficulty maintaining the memory of the major event that was upsetting to you.

Ad

Medications can cause memory difficulty, especially if they are abused. If you are using too much of the benzodiazepines it could interfere with your ability to remember and to think. It is also true that stress, anxiety, worry and other types of agitation can impact on thinking and memory because they get in the way of concentration. When someone has difficulty concentrating they also have difficulty remembering.

I want to strongly urge you to seek psychotherapy in order for you to get help with the issues, past and present that are increasing your levels of anxiety and your ability to think and remember. Anti anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines, quickly reduce anxiety but are addicting and are not a solution to learning how to reduce and control anxiety.

Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs

Explore Your Options Today

Ad

More "Ask Dr. Schwartz" View Columnists

Myndfulness App

Designed to Help You Feel Better Daily

Myndfuless App Rating

Download Now For Free

Learn More >

Ad