How to tell the difference, memory loss question?!
Question: How do you know the difference between normal memory loss associated with getting older and a real problem? A family member of mine is 57 and pretty forgetful. She's only antianxiety and antidepressants too so I'm sure that doesn't help. I'm a lot younger and forget stuff too but what's normal and what's not? Does menopause make a difference when it comes to memory problems?
Answers: How do you know the difference between normal memory loss associated with getting older and a real problem? A family member of mine is 57 and pretty forgetful. She's only antianxiety and antidepressants too so I'm sure that doesn't help. I'm a lot younger and forget stuff too but what's normal and what's not? Does menopause make a difference when it comes to memory problems?
Menopause does seem to make memory a bit worse, but hormone replacement drugs can improve this (but cause other health problems).
Depression can seriously impair memory, so your friend might have some problems there.
I read a study yesterday that people think their memory is getting a lot worse as they age, even if it isn't declining that much.
Anyways, my professor has one method for telling: ask the person, "What have you forgotton recently?" and they will list off some things, presumably, e.g.: "well I forgot to buy bananas, forgot to walk the dog..." "well there you go, your memory is fine.". Hence, if she can forget the things she has forgotten, it's probably ok.
Yes! Anything involving hormones can wreak havoc on the mind.
Anxiety causes distraction so that too.
SSRI's don't per say, cause any memory loss. I would say if the anti-anxiety meds work they will help memory by calming the mind.
SSRI's can make a person very complacent.