14 Short Term Memory Loss Causes You Should Know (Common Triggers)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Many people with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD experience short-term memory loss. People with PTSD may have trouble remembering basic facts while attempting to calm and organize their recollections of tragedy. It is explained by the fact that these people undergo changes in their brain chemistry and functioning, which have an impact on their cognitive capacities, particularly memory.

The hippocampus is the one responsible for PTSD and short-term memory problems. The brain’s hippocampus is an area that controls emotions, aids in separating new memories from old ones, and holds long-term memories. According to research on PTSD patients, the hippocampus suffers damage, losing an estimated 8 percent of its capacity. Anxiety, flashbacks, and fragmented recollections of traumatic experiences are all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which also impairs the brain’s capacity to turn short-term memories into long-term ones.

In addition, sleep issues are another common symptom of PTSD, and they can make it harder to focus and pay attention throughout the day. Thankfully, there are many ways to enhance memory and increase the ability to concentrate for people with PTSD. Among those are getting enough sleep, using memory-boosting apps, talking with a professional, and more.