Memory loss may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But if you or a loved one suffer from the condition, the impact to what and how you remember significant parts of your life, learn new things, and reason with others is a daily concern.
Why is memory affected by PTSD?
In essence, the brain takes on a huge effort trying to sort, calm and organize the traumatic memories that led to the stress disorder. In addition, the brain also attempts to recall and store a constant, stream of daily input.
It’s no wonder that the PTSD memory loss suffered by trauma survivors only serves to further heighten anxiety and frustration as they try to relate to others and interact with the present world.
Often, their minds are repeating past, traumatic information in ways that are too overwhelming to distinguish quickly. So, as past mental and sensory memories intrude on the present, via flashbacks, nightmares, etc. they may concentrate heavily on avoidance or overreact to the memories. Over time, the memory distortion and losses add up, causing a confusing blend of upsetting, incomplete impressions about their pasts and the present moment.
Unfortunately, those that care about them may feel confused and hurt as well, uncertain of how present or emotionally available their loved one can be.
PTSD is a Brain Changer: Look for Ways You’ve Been Impacted
If you or a loved one are living with PTSD, it’s crucial to understand this aspect of the condition. Then you can approach healing with your whole brain in mind. Try to consider how memory loss might be affecting you and your cognitive abilities.
If you recognize an area of concern among the issues listed below, don’t wait. Now is the time to seek treatment. Let’s consider the following:
10 Ways PTSD Memory Loss is Affecting You
1. PTSD is bullying your hippocampus.
According to recent research, the hippocampus, an organ in your brain, literally shrinks by 8 percent in the brains of PTSD sufferers. That’s a significant problem because the hippocampus is responsible for regulating emotion, storing long-term memory and sorting old and new memories.
Memory loss due to hippocampus damage increases flashbacks, anxiety and disjointed perceptions of the past. Unfortunately, the damage to this section of the brain reduces the likelihood that more recent, happier memories will be effectively converted to long term recollections. Thankfully, the hippocampus can be repaired.
2. PTSD memory loss is often more than just forgetfulness.
You may be affected in ways you don’t realize are related to the stress disorder or past trauma. Do you have trouble remembering facts or lists? Does your memory seem piecemeal, fragmented, or marked by long gaps of no memory at all? These are more pervasive and serious memory problems that can affect daily functioning.
3. YOUR memory loss HINDERS your interpret of current place and time
Meaning, your ability to calm and soothe yourself in places that remind you of your trauma may be affected. Do you feel triggered even when there is the slightest reminder of your experience in a setting?
Therefore, this problem of sorting out environmental context is related to your reduced capacity to limit the flood of old memories.
4. Your memory loss makes relaxation and quality sleep difficult.
Since PTSD harms the portion of the brain that stores memories, nightmares and flashbacks keep trauma fresh. Thus, it’s hard for you to feel secure enough to let your guard down to rest.
You may not be able to hang on to feelings of safety without the ability to convert a supply of more recent thoughts into long-term memories, the danger solidified in your mind has the upper hand.
5. Your memory loss means even your trauma story may be frustratingly fragmented.
You may have noticed how difficult it is to chronologically remember or recount your traumatic experience to other people. Memory loss may make sharing difficult and leave you feeling isolated. The way memory distorts, intrudes unexpectedly, and these gaps can make you feel inept and unable to connect with people.
6. Your feelings and emotions may feel buried or out of reach.
Your emotions and your memories are closely linked when your brain is healthy. A disconnect occurs in a brain affected by PTSD memory loss. Essentially emotional content and memories are not stored together, making processing either difficult. This is problematic when trying to identify your own needs and feelings as well as others.
As a result, your relationships may be suffering as your family or significant others share that they cannot “reach” you emotionally. You, in turn, may feel unable to manage your traumatic memories and their need to create new memories at the same time. Without help, communication breakdown can be drastic and damaging, especially in intimate relationships.
7. your memory loss makes little room in the brain for the little things.
Memory loss sufferers may struggle to recall small details of their daily lives. You may forget your address, medical appointments, or loved ones' birthdays. Things that were once routine or automatically came to mind may need prompting or reminders.
If you are a parent or in a romantic relationship, it may seem callous or uncaring if you forget significant dates or events and don't share how much you're struggling.
8. PTSD memory loss often makes financial freedom and career goals hard to hold on to.
You may suffer the loss of your dreams and aspirations as well as your memory. You’re not alone if you find your capacity for picking up new skills or networking is limited and not ideal for employers.
This may be contributing to further stress, self-blame, and tension in your family as attempts to make practical advancements are frustrated by the way your mind stores the past and present.
9. PTSD memory loss might be impairing your language skills.
Research in recent years has revealed that some people experience “expressive aphasia,'' which is defined as the reduced ability to speak and understand language. Essentially, you may increasingly struggle to find the right word. Or you may know which words to use but end up saying something else.
Again, your impaired ability to connect intimately, socially, and professionally, can lead to more anxiety or withdrawal as you try to cope.
10. The combined effect of PTSD memory loss and shame may be making things worse.
How are you managing the strain memory loss is placing on you and your relationships? Are you coping well or in ways that keep you sick or isolated?
Your struggles are not something you need to shoulder alone, in secret, or in shame. Consider that you might need to learn how to manage the trauma differently. Seek to heal rather than resign yourself to your PTSD and it’s symptoms.
Please Take the Next Step
Ultimately, the most positive and fruitful effect PTSD memory loss may have is that it has prepared you to do something to stop your suffering.
Now is the time. It is vital that you seek help for PTSD if you are suffering from memory loss and memory distortion. Your trauma has already consumed too much of your life and connections.
Reach out soon. Let a trained, compassionate therapist, like me, help you release your traumatic past. Make a strong effort to reclaim the memories you want and restore the capacity to build new ones. I’m here to help you, let’s do this together.
If you would like some extra support and are looking for a psychotherapist, please contact us for a free consultation to learn about how we can be of service.
To find out more about our services click here: PTSD Treatment in CO. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
For your other needs, you can count on April Lyons Psychotherapy Group, to help you heal and grow through EMDR therapy, somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment – because we believe in your strength and potential for recovery.
