10 Other, closely related terms are ‘functional amnesia’, 11 implying that the amnesia has a function for the patient, and ‘mnestic block syndrome’ 12 – indicating that the “forgotten” memories are not lost, but just blocked from access to consciousness and subsequently may at a later stage recover. This term has remained until today though its use is nowadays much rarer than that of dissociative amnesia. 9 At their time and even until after the Second World War it was labeled ‘hysteria’.
6, 7, 8 While it was stated in classical textbooks that the amnesia is usually transient and functional recovery will be complete, more recent research shows that patients with dissociative amnesia may remain amnesic for years and decades, though those with the retrograde version of dissociative amnesia can learn about their past in a neutral, emotionally distant manner.ĭissociative amnesia as a psychiatric condition has a long background, which reached increased awareness with Charcot, Janet, and Freud. This may be accompanied by changes in other cognitive and emotive domains and may also lead to changes in personality. In very rare cases the reverse amnesia picture may be true, namely a preservation of old episodic-autobiographical memories, but an inability to store new personal information long-term 4, 5. All the more their lack of access to their personal past appears puzzling to their social environments (partners, friends, etc.). 3) 3 are usually preserved, implying that the patients on first glance appear quite normal: They can read, write, calculate, behave in a normal social way, and know details about the world and famous people. 1, 2 Semantic memory, which is memory for neutral facts, and procedural memory and priming (cf. Usually patients “forget” (or alternatively said: have no conscious access to) their total personal past. Furthermore, detailed treatment strategies are provided.ĭissociative amnesia is characterized by amnesia in the episodic-autographical domain. They are divided into (a) psychopharmacological and somatic treatments, (b) psychotherapeutic interventions, and (c) neuropsychological rehabilitation. Nevertheless, a number of quite divergent, though largely not evidence-based, therapeutic approaches exist and are described. Patients also seem to a high degree to possess immature, unstable personality features. As many patients show the phenomenon of “la belle indifference”, their motivation for therapy or treatment of their amnesia is reduced. That means, most of them show severe retrograde amnesia for their biography, usually accompanied by changes in their personality and sometimes also by alterations in other cognitive and emotive domains. It is emphasized that dissociative amnesia has a stress or trauma-related etiology and that affected individuals, contrary to the still dominant clinical belief, are frequently more severely and enduringly affected. puzzle week), the study of a new language or a musical instrument.The psychiatric disease of dissociative amnesia is described and illustrated with case reports. Train your memory, for example with reading, games or pastimes that require the use of cognitive skills (e.g.It is not recommended to do physical activity in the evening as the release of some endogenous substances can interfere with the quality of sleep. When done regularly, exercise produces substances that counteract stress such as endorphins. Perform regular physical activity, both strength and endurance exercises, preferably done in company to socialize (long walks, aqua aerobics, gym).It would also be desirable not to consume stimulants such as coffee before going to bed. Adopt a correct diet, follow the Mediterranean diet, do not eat large meals and moderate alcohol consumption at dinner.Try to sleep well and for the right time, taking care of sleep hygiene appropriately, which means going to bed at the same time if possible, not using the computer and other electronic devices before going to bed.Maintain a healthy lifestyle by choosing activities that can help us relax: for example, meditation, yoga, music and reading, a walk in the fresh air, can be of great help.
One of the first things we need to do is counter stress, here are some tips:
What can we do to improve memory and concentration?įirst of all, it is important to be aware that memory loss in these chronic stressful situations is not necessarily due to an underlying disease.
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