Can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss is a common question that people ask us. You have found the right blog if you were asking the same question. Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that occurs after a traumatic event. How is it different?
The mental health condition develops after the event because intrusive thoughts about the incident. This leads to anxiety, distress, flashbacks and urge to avoid similar situations. The condition is quite common among the populace, and it can be controlled with the help of professional help.
There are connections between memory dysfunction and post traumatic stress disorder. Most affected part of memory is the working memory which is how we store and recall short-term information.
Let’s explore how does PTSD cause that, and the types of memory that are affected.
Types of Memory Affected by PTSD
Did you know there are 7 different types of memory!? The effect of a traumatic event can be on any one of the different types. So, before answering can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss, let’s look at the types of memory that it affects.
Namely, the short-term memory gets most affected due to post traumatic stress disorder. The other memory types that see a negative influence of PTSD are:
- Long-term memory
- Episodic memory
Individuals with PTSD can come from various walks of life, however, people who’ve been to war or were in traumatic events mostly show its signs. Veterans, those in high-stress jobs can experience symptoms of this condition.
A common theme in all these individuals would be memory loss. The relationship between memory loss and PTSD. Popular theory is that the memory dysfunction around the event is a mechanism for the person to cope with it. Some sort of mechanism that the body follows to help the human be free of trauma.
However, it is also seen that people with PTSD can see the sequencing of the event in a different manner, experiencing gaps in memory. They can also see the event in a jumbled, foggy or hazy manner, as if the event was seen by them.
The neuropsychological functioning of the individual with PTSD is impaired, this can also lead to verbal memory deficits. In addition, a study found that visual memory impairments are less pronounced than verbal impairments in people with PTSD.
Another study found that veterans with PTSD experience impairments in neurocognitive functioning. Studies like these two help professionals navigate their patients’ symptoms.
Mechanisms of Memory Loss in PTSD
Can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss has a complex mechanism that causes various memory difficulties. There are two primary frameworks as per a recent study where the memory impairment in PTSD is understood.
The first is concerned with the role of neurobiological abnormalities in memory impairments. In addition, the second one posits that memory deficit due to pre-existing memory impairment acts as a severe risk factor.
There are different aspects of memory deficit’s relation to PTSD. One is that there are different functional, structural and neurobiological abnormalities that play a role in PTSD. More specifically, the structural abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or the HPA axis and hippocampus can result in memory impairments.
In patients with PTSD, the HPA axis undergoes a neurobiological change where the CRH/NE is dysregulated and there is an upregulation in the response to stress. This is due to hypocortisolism that drives the abnormal fear and stress encoding process.
Another one of the ways the neurochemical feature of the brain changes is through the increase in dopamine levels. This results in interference with fear conditioning by the mesolimbic system.
The catecholamines increase the activity of norepinephrine that leads to elevation in the arousal and startle response that encodes the fear memories. In addition, through the action of serotonin, the patient experiences a decrease in the concentrations of 5HT which can lead to a disturbed dynamic between hippocampus and amygdala.
A decrease in GABA activity can compromise the anxiolytic effects. Additionally, an increase in glutamate can foster derealization and dissociation which makes memory loss worse.
Lastly, a decrease in plasma NPY concentrations can leave the CRH/NE unopposed which can lead to an upregulation of the response to stress. Moreover, there is also an increase in the levels of b-endorphin in the Cerebrospinal Fluid.
Connection Between PTSD and Dementia
So far, you may have understood that the changes in neurochemical and neuroendocrine system can have a significant effect on the patient’s mood. There are different changes in the body with respect to the response to stress. One example is the increase in b-endorphin levels within CSF can trigger stress-induced analgesia.
Can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss is not the only question you should be asking. There are other mental health connections that show up. The neuroanatomic changes evident during PTSD include changes such as a reduction in volume and activity.
This can alter the response to stress and extinction. Extinction is when the expression of fear reduces.
This can increase the stress hormones as the body is sensing an increase in the fight-or-flight response. Thus, there is a rise in the stress response, as evident in the previous section. Additionally, PTSD has strong relations with increasing the risk of dementia for the patient.
The general scientific view of PTSD’s relation to depression is that exposure to a significantly stressful event in life and cognitive dysfunctions in later stages of their life can heighten the chances of depression in them.
There also exists a bidirectional relationship between PTSD and depression, suggesting a complex interdependent mechanism can cause either of the conditions when the other one exists. As per evidence, there is a two-fold increase in the risk of a person developing any type of dementia with PTSD.
Complex PTSD: How Is It Different?
Can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss requires a dive into the different types of PTSD as well. This helps in knowing which type of PTSD can experience a higher chance of memory loss.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) can experience disjointed or fragmented memories related to their traumatic experiences. With C-PTSD, people may engage in avoidance behavior that helps them suppress triggers or memories that can act as triggers.
In addition, there are high risks associated with damage to their identity and self-esteem, they may also run into safety risks. They may end up feeling frustration or emotional distress that can affect their concentration and attention.
People with PTSD can experience the following symptoms such as:
- Feeling distrustful or angry
- Having trouble in controlling emotions
- Constantly feeling hopeless or ‘empty’
- Feeling that you have permanently ‘damaged’
- Avoiding relationships and friendships, finding them difficult
- Dissociative symptoms such as derealization or depersonalization
- Physical manifestations of the condition such as dizziness, chest pain, headaches and stomach aches
- Frequently feeling suicidal
Complex PTSD is also known as enduring personality change after catastrophic experience (EPCACE) or disorders of extreme stress not otherwise specified (DESNOS.) The latter is more common in America.
C-PTSD can lead to gaps in memories and other memory difficulties. There are also instances of dissociative memories, suppression and avoidance in the individual.
One of the major differences between C-PTSD and PTSD is that the latter can come up due to ongoing trauma. The latter occurs due to witnessing, listening or experiencing one-time traumatic life event.
Connection Between Complex PTSD And Memory Loss
If it was not evident, any mental health issues are always complicated to figure out. There is no single explanation for this; there are different parts of the brain that get affected by the different hormones and brain areas affected in a mental health condition.
For example, one of the most prominent memory difficulties witnessed in C-PTSD is the issue with retrieval and encoding of memories that get altered. Trauma in the case of C-PTSD impairs the efficient capacity of the brain to recover and encode memories.
Another prominent memory difficulty seen in people with C-PTSD is having disconnected or fragmented memories of traumatic events. This makes them mentally disengage and detach from the overwhelming feelings that traumatic events trigger.
Trauma and chronic stress can cause many unfavorable effects on the brain areas involved in the creation of memories. The main areas affected by PTSD or C-PTSD are prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Impairment in these areas can cause retrieval issues and memory consolidation.
Trauma memories can also elicit strong emotions which can push people with C-PTSD to exhibit avoidance behavior. This gives rise to difficulty in accessing the memories related to the traumatic events. This helps them avoid experiencing the traumatic event again.
Strategies to Address PTSD-Related Memory Loss
There are a few treatment options for people with PTSD and those experiencing memory loss. These are as follows:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Medications can help reduce symptoms associated with PTSD and C-PTSD.
There are also other ways a person with PTSD can manage their symptoms, either with help or independently. Some tips for you or your loved one to manage their symptoms properly:
- Stay physically active as it can help reduce depression and anxiety in the patient. It also helps with managing stress.
- Sleep is one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It can help in better memory consolidation.
Lastly, family members or guardians, and caretakers can help people with PTSD with memory aids. This will help them perform the activities of daily life in a better way.
Conclusion
Hopefully the article answers can post traumatic stress disorder cause memory loss because the short answer is ‘Yes.’ The condition is quite severe and has connections to other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress.
All of these can cause a lot of distress for the person which can lead to a poorer quality of life for them. People with PTSD or C-PTSD should seek professional help as soon as they notice changes. This will also help them with managing their memory difficulties and other related symptoms.
Let us know in the comments below if you want to know about other such conditions.
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