A report from the nonprofit organization FAIR Health found a spike in mental health diagnoses among older adults. 6.1% of those 65 and older suffer from depression.
The prevalence of memory problems is also increasing. 6.9 million older Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Could these two problems be connected to each other? Do they feed into each other, and can fixing one help alleviate the other?
Can depression cause memory loss? Read on for an answer and what you should do about it.
Can Depression Cause Memory Loss?
The short answer to a complex question like “can depression cause memory loss” is yes. They’re intimately connected and affect one another in ways that not everyone realizes.
Depression can also cause issues with several different types of memory, including:
- Short-term
- Episodic
- Verbal
It’s also important to consider that memory isn’t a single process. It’s related to other brain processes, which, unfortunately, can also be affected by depression. These include:
- Attention
- Information processing
- Executive function
The connection is also important to understand for the sake of emotional health in elderly adults. Memory disruptions make the symptoms of depression worse and creates an endless cycle.
Understanding the Connection
The question of whether or not depression can affect memory is a start, but the more important question is how.
What mechanisms in the brain does the condition affect? How do those translate to memory loss? Understanding these connections can help you reverse the effects.
Cognition and Memory
Depression affects a variety of cognitive functions. These may include:
- Attention
- Information processing
- Executive function
These are all crucial for forming and retrieving memories. That’s why depressive episodes can lead to forgetfulness. They can also create a general sense of confusion known as brain fog.
Changes in the Brain
Depression doesn’t just affect cognition. It fundamentally changes the structure of several portions of the brain. It changes the hippocampus, an area crucial to memory.
It increases stress, which elevates cortisol levels. That can inhibit the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus and contribute to memory loss.
Depression also throws off neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. They’re known for regulating mood, but they’re also important for memory. The brain can have trouble storing and retrieving memories when they’re dysregulated.
Sleep Disturbances
Many mental health conditions lead to problems with sleep. Anxiety is another common one, and it often occurs along with depression.
Not getting enough sleep or even sleeping too long can cause problems. It impairs cognitive performance and memory consolidation.
Psuedo-Dementia
Depression and memory loss are so intimately connected that they can create a condition known as pseudo-dementia. It’s a change in cognitive health that’s believed to be from dementia but is actually due to depression.
Dealing with the underlying issue is the way to get rid of pseudo-dementia. Managing depression symptoms with therapy or medication tends to be the solution to help make the mind clear again.
Depression Medications
Unfortunately, memory loss is a side effect of several types of antidepressant medications. These include SSRIs and tricyclics.
Patients taking these medications can have difficulty concentrating or struggle with short-term memory.
Long-Term Effects
Some studies suggest that depression can cause irreversible cognitive decline in seniors, even after treatment. They may particularly struggle to recall positive events.
Other studies suggest that being on antidepressants long-term increases the risk of developing dementia. This is especially prevalent among drugs such as paroxetine and tricyclic antidepressants.
Individual episodes of depression don’t have any major long-term effects on the brain. Repeated episodes, especially those that last for years at a time, can increase the risk of dementia.
Managing Memory Loss
Memory loss and depression are so intimately connected that they need to be managed together. What you do to help with one will help the other.
Start by developing a healthier lifestyle that engages your body and mind. Add in necessary therapy or help to fill in the gaps.
Lifestyle Changes
Get the right amount of sleep every single night. Make sure you rest as long as you need to without going overboard.
A 2016 study found that 28% of adults over 50 are inactive. Getting daily exercise boosts your mood. It also improves blood flow to your brain to fight cognitive decline.
Brain Training or Cognitive Therapies
Exercising your brain is just as important as exercising your body.
Try engaging in activities such as puzzles or games. Learn a new skill to activate every area of your brain. You’ll be having fun while improving your mental and cognitive health.
You can do this at home or as part of a group. Check the available amenities at a personal care senior living community to see if they have activities that could help.
Maintaining Connections
Social connections are essential for improving cognitive and mental health in seniors. Loneliness and isolation are known to make their symptoms of depression worse.
That’s why staying in touch with your family and friends is so important. Make plans to meet up with them and meet new people.
Personal care homes in PA can help you become a part of a community. Join groups so that you can do what you enjoy with others. It’s the best way to
Professional Advice or Care
Seek professional therapy or medication if you need it. They can help you treat the underlying depression and get your memory back on track.
You may also want to look into Pennsylvania memory care. They have the resources and staff to treat anyone with extensive memory loss issues. That means managing medications, preventing wandering, and more.
Find The Right Sellersville Senior Living Option For You
Can depression cause memory loss? If you’re looking for a one-word answer, it’s yes.
Depression affects the parts of the brain responsible for creating and retrieving memory. Getting in the right community and having the right lifestyle can help you fight back.
Hidden Meadows on the Ridge provides senior living communities in Somerset, PA. We offer comfortable amenities, a supportive environment, and customized care.
Are you or a loved one experiencing memory issues? Do you want a supportive community to help you through them? Look into our Shine© Memory Care community options today.
