Depression and memory
 

Hi all, hope everyone is doing well. Just a quick question, input appreciated.

I was diagnosed with "clinical depression" and generalized anxiety disorder. I also have ADD, but it is corrected with medication.

I have also noticed my memory may not be quite as sharp as my peers. For instance, I often don't remember names and occasionally can't remember what I ate for breakfast/lunch the day before.

Is it likely that depression and/or anxiety is partially hampering my memory, or is this an entirely different issue?

Depression can cause memory issues but it is very difficult to differentiate between PCS caused memory issues and depression caused memory issues.

Anxiety can do the same.

But, once one become focused on a memory struggle, they can become magnified, not in reality, but in perception.

Many memory issues are due to lack of focus. Anxiety can cause lack of focus.

I would caution you against comparing your memory to your peers. You will never be able to make any sense of that. Just too many variables.

Anxiety and depression do effect memory.

Listened to that on you tube today in a speech by Neil Nedley...the doc Eowyn went to.

Bud

Certain medications for ADD can cause memory problems in some people although not remembering what you ate for breakfast the day before doesn't sound like the same type of problem.

I've had anxiety on and off a lot of my life. It never affected my memory, in fact it probably made me focus more.

edited to add... if your ADD is ADD-Inattentive it is possible your memory deficits are related to that even though you say you take medication

Let's put some of these memory issues in context. I have a difficult time remembering what I had for breakfast this morning or even if I had breakfast. It has not changed my life.

Remembering if I took meds or my vitamin regimen is a change with an impact, eventually.

Remembering peoples' names is a bigger issue but there is a specific part of the brain that needs to function well for names and connecting names to faces. It creates challenges for me but again, has not been a life changer.

Smart phones are great for memory issues. I was told to use a note pad to write down things I need to remember. My problem is I forget what I need to write down while getting out my notepad.

Oh yeah, the subject was depression and memory.

My NeuroPsych tried to say all of my memory dysfunction was due to depression. Only one problem. His tests showed I was not struggling with depression. He tried to say I faked the memory tests and that my depression answers were false, too. So, I don't necessarily trust some of these comments.

You don't trust which comments?

Ours or those of your doctor?

DiverDown,
I just read another post where you talked about stoke after your birth and seizures. Maybe some of your memory issues are related to that.

I don't trust the comments in my NeuroPsych Assessment report. He did not understand over-stimulation nor many other issues we deal with daily.

Thanks Mark.
That's what I thought you meant but I wasn't sure so just thought I should ask.

DiverDown, I think that you have raised an interesting question.

I am in remission from clinical depression but do not have GAD, ADD or a brain injury. I have not noticed any differences in my memory before and after I was in remission.

I used to go to a therapy group for people with mood disorders. None of the other group members reported any memory issues.

Just my two cents worth of personal experience.