Trauma May Lead to Memory Impairment
The human brain is an intricate system that processes our experiences, and one of its key functions is pattern separation – the process that helps us differentiate between similar events. However, when it comes to traumatic experiences, the brain's response can be complex and profound.
In 2015, scientists discovered memory subpaths in the brain, which seem to activate only during a fear response. These paths are a chain of communication between brain cells that store information about lived experiences. Fear-inducing events affect specific cell receptors for the amino acid GABA in these memory subpaths, creating a new memory network that is locked away and only able to be accessed if the same receptors become active again.
Traumatic stress can impact various categories of memory, including semantic memory (general knowledge), episodic memory (autobiographical content of an event), emotional memory (feelings experienced during an event), and procedural memory (ability to perform tasks without conscious thought).
Memory loss, often referred to as amnesia, is a broad range of symptoms that may result in an inability to recall certain or all details of a lived experience. Trauma refers to an emotional response to any significantly distressing event or incident, and what is traumatic may vary from person to person.
Not every traumatic experience leads to memory loss, and the likelihood of memory loss may depend on factors such as mental health status at the time of the event, support received immediately after the event, emotional resources at the time of the event, intensity and length of the incident, and other factors.
Memory loss can be a symptom of a number of trauma-related mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative amnesia, repression, and trauma denial. Dissociation is a disconnect or distance from your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, as if you were watching yourself from the perspective of someone else. Trauma denial indicates that denial, as a defense mechanism, has the power to block unwanted memories.
Support is available for those experiencing traumatic memory loss and other symptoms of trauma. Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Healing from trauma, including possible symptoms of it such as memory loss, is possible with the support of a mental health professional. Psychological theories on traumatic memories suggest that they may be stored in different brain areas, often dissociated from explicit narrative memory, involving regions like the hippocampus (linked to amnesia for trauma events) and areas responsible for emotional and bodily responses.
It's important to note that the concept of repressed memories is a highly debated topic in psychology, with the mainstream belief being that full memory repression is almost nonexistent. Most people are able to recall at least some parts of a traumatic incident.
Factors that can cause partial or total memory loss include brain injury, chronic illness or viral infection, aging, high fevers, seizures, substance use, anesthetics, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke), mental health conditions, and traumatic stress.
In conclusion, while the brain's response to trauma can lead to memory loss, it's crucial to remember that healing and recovery are possible with the right support and care. If you or someone you know is struggling with traumatic memory loss or other symptoms of trauma, seek help from a mental health professional.
