Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsResearch on LinkMemory and DepressionOther CausesDiagnosisManagementWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Research on Link
Memory and Depression
Other Causes
Diagnosis
Management
When to See a Provider
There is a link between depression and short-term memory loss. This is sometimes called pseudodementia because it can be confused with dementia although the memory loss is actually due to depression.
Stress and anxiety can lead to poor memory. Other symptoms of depression include low mood, lack of energy, changes in sleep patterns and appetite, and loss of interest.
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Can Depression Cause Memory Loss? What the Research Says
Depression can make youlose memory. A 2024 study of more than 8,000 individuals examined depression and memory symptoms over the course of 16 years.
It found a bidirectional relationship between depression and memory loss. This means that participants who had more severe depression had greater memory loss, and those with a steeper change in memory loss also had a more rapid increase in depressive symptoms.
Research has also found that memory loss and other cognitive deficits associated with depression can persist even after an episode of depression has resolved.They can also worsen with repeated episodes of depression. This is just one reason thattreating depressionis so important.
People who are depressed tend to show poorer memory for positive events, better memory for negative events, and overall impaired recollection.
The reasons behind this are not well understood. However, researchers believe that memory issues with depression are linked to the biological impacts of chronic stress on brain structures related to memory. Such structures as thehippocampusandamygdala, and neurons that produce the neurotransmitterdopamine(the “feel-good” hormone) in the brain.
Is Memory Loss a Sign of Depression?
Memory loss could be a sign of depression. However, memory loss associated with depression can sometimes look like dementia to an outsider. Naturally, you may be concerned about what could be causing this change.
Some notable differences between memory loss in depression and dementia are listed below.
Slow or minor change in memory
Not typically disoriented
Difficulty concentrating, a feeling of “brain fog”
Typically no issues with writing, communication, vision, or motor skills
DementiaUnaware or indifferent to memory changeRapid change in memoryOften disoriented to person, time, or placeTrouble with short-term memoryIssues with writing, communicating, vision, and motor skills
Unaware or indifferent to memory change
Rapid change in memory
Often disoriented to person, time, or place
Trouble with short-term memory
Issues with writing, communicating, vision, and motor skills
Other Causes of Memory Loss
Mental health conditions besides depression can also contribute to memory loss. These include:
Other causes of memory loss include:
How Memory Loss Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis of memory loss can be a complicated process because there are many possible causes. Your healthcare provider will likely first ask about your medical history and any symptoms. Due to the nature of memory loss, they may also ask your family or friends for their input.
Based on those answers, your healthcare provider will likely run a series of diagnostic tests, which may include:
How to Manage Memory Loss and Depression
If you havesymptoms of depression, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Taking certain lifestyle changes can also help you manage your depression symptoms, which may be beneficial to your memory over time. Some ways to cope with depression include:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencingmemory loss,depression symptoms, or both, consider contacting a healthcare provider.
Any memory loss should be taken seriously to get an accurate diagnosis and prevent further potential memory loss. The same goes for depression, which is a serious mental health condition but highly treatable.
Help in a Mental Health Emergency
Summary
Depression can lead to trouble with memory, in particular a person’s working memory, and their ability to encode memories into long-term memories. They also tend to remember negative events more strongly than positive events. Treating depression can help prevent future episodes and worsening memory.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Is it dementia or depression?Yin J, John A, Cadar D.Bidirectional associations of depressive symptoms and cognitive function over time.JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2416305-e2416305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16305Semkovska M, Quinlivan L, O’Grady T, et al.Cognitive function following a major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(10):851-861. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30291-3Dillon DG, Pizzagalli DA.Mechanisms of memory disruption in depression.Trends Neurosci. 2018;41(3):137-149. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2017.12.006Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.Is it dementia or depression?Yin J, John A, Cadar D.Bidirectional associations of depressive symptoms and cognitive function over time.JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2416305-e2416305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16305Semkovska M, Quinlivan L, O’Grady T, et al.Cognitive function following a major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(10):851-861. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30291-3Dillon DG, Pizzagalli DA.Mechanisms of memory disruption in depression.Trends Neurosci. 2018;41(3):137-149. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2017.12.006Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.Is it dementia or depression?Yin J, John A, Cadar D.Bidirectional associations of depressive symptoms and cognitive function over time.JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2416305-e2416305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16305Semkovska M, Quinlivan L, O’Grady T, et al.Cognitive function following a major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(10):851-861. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30291-3Dillon DG, Pizzagalli DA.Mechanisms of memory disruption in depression.Trends Neurosci. 2018;41(3):137-149. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2017.12.006Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107
Harvard Health Publishing.Is it dementia or depression?
Yin J, John A, Cadar D.Bidirectional associations of depressive symptoms and cognitive function over time.JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(6):e2416305-e2416305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16305
Semkovska M, Quinlivan L, O’Grady T, et al.Cognitive function following a major depressive episode: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(10):851-861. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30291-3
Dillon DG, Pizzagalli DA.Mechanisms of memory disruption in depression.Trends Neurosci. 2018;41(3):137-149. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2017.12.006
Penn Medicine.Memory loss.
Harvard Health Publishing.Stuck in a brain fog? Look in your medicine cabinet.
National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.
Sarris J, O’Neil A, Coulson CE, Schweitzer I, Berk M.Lifestyle medicine for depression.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:107. doi:10.1186/1471-244X-14-107
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