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What Causes Memory Problems, Tension Headaches And Anxiety Disorders?
Question: I have memory problems. I can remember only bits & pieces of my childhood, but I can't remember when exactly they happened. It is not just my childhood but recent events too. I don't remember things when I am stressed. I can go to a therapy session for 45 minutes & not remember what was said. I went to an interview to get into a school program & immediately after it was over did not remember a thing. I thought it must have been fine, but they told me later I was extremely & obviously nervous. It is not just caused by stress. It is not limited to one area. I cannot remember people, places, events, times, etc. I feel like there could be something organically wrong with me. I also have headaches. These have been called tension headaches, but no medications have helped. They started in 2001 & would last for days, weeks. Sometimes I think I always have a headache which is worse sometimes than others. There have even been times when I find it extremely difficult to speak (form words) or understand other people. These moments are sporadic & brief. I have been diagnosed with different mental illnesses (mood, personality, anxiety disorders). I was trying to remember one specific thing, but all the memories seem conflicting. This bothers me. In addition, I do well in school with things like foreign languages. If I study something & use it, then I will remember it (German). However if I study something & don't use it I forget (Russian, Hebrew, etc). That seems normal though. I was told I had some kind of scan once, but I don't remember anything of the sort. This has been going on for a long time. I do not recall any head trauma that could explain it. I have never presented all of these symptoms together before.
Brief Answer:
You have generalized anxiety disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
I think, you have generalized anxiety disorder. Let me explain few things about it. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry. Individuals often exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, headache, bouts of difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, trembling, twitching, irritability, agitation, sweating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes, and rashes and inability to fully control the anxiety etc.
In your case, difficulty in recalling things may be due to anxiety. Due to anxiety, you face difficulty in maintaining concentration. Let me explain the basis psychological process behind this. The effects of stress on memory include interference with a person's capacity to encode memory and the ability to retrieve information. During times of stress, the body reacts by secreting stress hormones into the bloodstream. Stress can cause acute and chronic changes in certain brain areas which can cause long-term damages. Over-secretion of stress hormones most frequently affects memory negatively, but in a few cases can affect it positively. In particular, the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and the amygdala are affected. One class of stress hormone responsible for negatively affecting memory is the glucocorticoids (GCs), the most notable of which is cortisol. Glucocorticoids facilitate and impair the actions of stress in the brain memory process. Cortisol is a known biomarker for stress. Under normal circumstances, the hippocampus regulates the production of cortisol through negative feedback because it has many receptors that are sensitive to these stress hormones. However, an excess of cortisol can impair the ability of the hippocampus to both encode and recall memories. These stress hormones are also hindering the hippocampus from receiving enough energy by diverting glucose levels to another part.
In your case, may be due to anxiety or stress, you feel difficulty in memorizing the things. Better to consult a psychiatrist for proper management. I think, you need antidepressant like paroxetine with low dose benzodiazepine, that would help to control anxiety symptoms. You can also try some relaxation exercise.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
You have generalized anxiety disorder
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
I think, you have generalized anxiety disorder. Let me explain few things about it. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry. Individuals often exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, headache, bouts of difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, trembling, twitching, irritability, agitation, sweating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes, and rashes and inability to fully control the anxiety etc.
In your case, difficulty in recalling things may be due to anxiety. Due to anxiety, you face difficulty in maintaining concentration. Let me explain the basis psychological process behind this. The effects of stress on memory include interference with a person's capacity to encode memory and the ability to retrieve information. During times of stress, the body reacts by secreting stress hormones into the bloodstream. Stress can cause acute and chronic changes in certain brain areas which can cause long-term damages. Over-secretion of stress hormones most frequently affects memory negatively, but in a few cases can affect it positively. In particular, the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and the amygdala are affected. One class of stress hormone responsible for negatively affecting memory is the glucocorticoids (GCs), the most notable of which is cortisol. Glucocorticoids facilitate and impair the actions of stress in the brain memory process. Cortisol is a known biomarker for stress. Under normal circumstances, the hippocampus regulates the production of cortisol through negative feedback because it has many receptors that are sensitive to these stress hormones. However, an excess of cortisol can impair the ability of the hippocampus to both encode and recall memories. These stress hormones are also hindering the hippocampus from receiving enough energy by diverting glucose levels to another part.
In your case, may be due to anxiety or stress, you feel difficulty in memorizing the things. Better to consult a psychiatrist for proper management. I think, you need antidepressant like paroxetine with low dose benzodiazepine, that would help to control anxiety symptoms. You can also try some relaxation exercise.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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