PTSD and Memory Loss
By: Diane Ulloa
PTSD causes feelings of intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. People with PTSD may relive their traumatic event(s) through flashbacks or nightmares and they may feel sadness, fear, or anger. They may also feel detached or estranged from other people (American Psychiatric Association). PTSD also has the ability to cause memory loss whether it be short-term or long-term, both can be affected. Four steps to fix PTSD related memory loss would be:
- Get treatment, therapy and medication are two of the most common treatment options for PTSD. Medication and therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT] or prolonged exposure therapy have been shown to be effective in managing PTSD.
- Stay Active. By staying physically active and mentally active through brain games or learning new skills, one can help keep their brain sharp and active.
- Prioritize Sleep, good sleep appears to be essential for memory consolidation and processing.
- Use Memory Aids, which are tools that are designed to help accommodate people who experience memory difficulties which could include calendars, notepads, and alarm clocks. (healthline.com)
The types of behavioral therapy that can aid in this memory loss and other symptoms caused by PTSD are:
- Cognitive Therapy: A type of talk therapy that helps people with PTSD recognize the cognitive patterns that are keeping them stuck, this is often paired with exposure therapy.
- Exposure Therapy: Helps people with PTSD safely face both situations and memories that they find frightening so they can learn to cope with them effectively. This kind of therapy can be particularly helpful for flashbacks and nightmares.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Combines exposure therapy with a series of guided eye movements that help you process traumatic memories and change how people with PTSD react to them. (Mayoclinic.org)
Primary treatment is psychotherapy, but medication could also be prescribed as needed. Medication may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and prazosin which has the ability to reduce or suppress nightmares in some people with PTSD.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and/or PTSD (memory loss) please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/memory-loss-and-ptsd#causation
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