Mental Disorders—Memory

Every day, you have different experiences and you learn new things. Your brain cannot store all of that information, so it has to decide what is worth remembering. Memory is the process of storing and then remembering this information. There are different types of memory. Short-term memory stores information for a few seconds or minutes. Long-term memory stores it for a longer period of time.

Memory doesn’t always work perfectly. As you grow older, it may take longer to remember things.

It’s normal to forget things once in awhile. We’ve all forgotten a name, where we put our keys, or if we locked the front door. If you are a senior who forget things more often than others your age, you may have mild cognitive impairment. Forgetting how to use your phone or find your way home may be signs of a more serious problem, such as

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Other types of dementia
• Stroke
• Depression
• Head injuries
• Blood clots or tumors in the brain
• Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems
• Reactions to certain medicines

If you’re worried about your forgetfulness, see your health care provider.

NIH: National Institute on Aging

• Memory loss (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Mental status testing (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Remembering tips (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Mental illness

Mental disorders include a wide range of problems, including

• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia

There are many causes of mental disorders. Your genes and family history may play a role. Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, may also matter. Biological factors can also be part of the cause. A traumatic brain injury can lead to a mental disorder. A mother’s exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals while pregnant may play a part. Other factors may increase your risk, such as use of illegal drugs or having a serious medical condition like cancer.

Medications and counseling can help many mental disorders.

• Adjustment disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Conversion disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Illness anxiety disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Somatic symptom disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)