Forgetting- causes and problems

Forgetting or disremembering is the apparent loss or modification of information already encoded and stored in an individual's long-term memory. It is a spontaneous or gradual process in which old memories are unable to be recalled from memory storage. Forgetting also helps to reconcile the storage of new information with old knowledge. Problems with remembering, learning and retaining new information are a few of the most common complaints of older adults. Memory performance is usually related to the active functioning of three stages. These three stages are encoding, storage and retrieval. Many different factors influence the actual process of forgetting. An example of one of these factors could be the amount of time the new information is stored in the memory. Events involved with forgetting can happen either before or after the actual memory process. The amount of time the information is stored in the memory, depending on the minutes hours or even days, can increase or decrease depending on how well the information is encoded. Studies show that retention improves with increased rehearsal. This improvement occurs because rehearsal helps to transfer information into long-term memory – practise makes perfect.

For one thing, memory can be affected by medications. Especially if you take a variety of medines the combination might cause you to experience some confusion. This is especially true when people overlook the dose they are supposed to take and end up ingesting too much. The irony is that memory problems can cause some people to mistake the amounts they should take.

Another possibility is that Alzheimers has set in and is the major cause of memory problems. This disorder is one of several dementias that cause memory issues. At first, memory loss feels minor. At first it might be as benign as forgetting a word or two you are looking for. Gradually, it becomes more extensive and more problematic if Alzheimer’s is present. Usually, we think of the dementias as associated with older people but it can and does happen to those who are younger. Now, there are drugs that can delay the progress of this category of disease.

Another potential problem is depression and anxiety. It is well established that, when depressed or anxious, it is more difficult to concentrate with the result that memory is affected. With anti depressant medication and psychotherapy this usually improves as the depression reduces and ends.

It should go without saying that alcohol and drugs can cause forgetting. There are many drugs of abuse that affect the brain in ways that are unwanted. Most often, memory improves once the drug abuse stops.

With regard to alcohol, depending on how much alcohol is consumed, a person can suffer permanent brain damage including memory loss. Even without things going that far, alcohol can cause forgetting during the time one is drunk. That is why people who drink too much often cannot remember what they did or said when under the influence