Occasional forgetfulness isn’t uncommon as we age, but for some, the issue is more concerning. They may miss appointments, forget names, and repeat questions without remembering the answer. Though there are several possible causes for such memory problems, stress and anxiety often contribute. These worrying complications alter brain function, reducing how well it can do its job.

Memory and other neurological problems are often treatable, though the methods vary depending on the cause. Your doctor may recommend treatment for neurological diseases to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety, including psychotherapy that helps modify behavior, mood, and emotions and therapeutic recreation activities to relax and feel better. The treatments help to improve memory problems while psychological support allows you to discuss worries, and concerns.

Senior man smiling, suffering from memory problems caused by stress and anxiety.

Link Between Stress, Anxiety, and Memory Problems

Anxiety and stress can cause memory problems due to the way they affect brain function, particularly in areas involved with memory.  Anxiety consumes mental resources and makes it harder to focus on the task at hand. When you’re anxious, your brain is often preoccupied with worry, which can prevent you from fully paying attention to new information, making it harder to retain and recall memories later.

Neurological diseases, thyroid disorders, medications, alcohol, and sleep deprivation could all affect memories. But experts also link stress and anxiety to forgetfulness, especially when the issue is sudden and unexpected.

The worse stress and anxiety conditions become; the more memories may be affected. Taking steps to alleviate stress and anxiety could reduce your issues. But the first step is learning the cause and how they affect your memories.

Anxiety and stress can cause mental distractions, making it difficult to concentrate, which is essential for processing and storing memories. Another reason is that these two often lead to poor sleep quality, insomnia, or difficulty staying asleep. Sleep is crucial for the brain. Without proper rest, your brain struggles to retain information.

Chronic stress

Chronic stress causes various issues, including pain, insomnia, low energy, and altered emotional symptoms. In many people, lack of focus and clouded minds result in memory problems. You may not remember what happened during stressful events or have difficulty locating information you already know.

So, why do stress and anxiety affect memory functions? Well, when you’re stressed, it causes unexpected structural changes in the brain. For instance, studies show areas of the prefrontal cortex appear smaller in those dealing with chronic job-related stress. Such degeneration alters other functions and may result in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes in the affected person.

When stress is related to emotional or dangerous situations, survival instincts are activated in the amygdala. Extra energy is required to support this brain area, leaving less energy for other areas, including those storing memories. The longer and more frequently you’re in this stressful state, the more memory lapses you may experience.

Anxiety and depression

Anxiety is a common response to stressful situations, so though they aren’t identical, the two issues are linked. The body reacts to danger by sending a distress signal from the eyes and ears to the amygdala. If this brain area believes the pictures and sounds it encounters are dangerous, another signal is sent to the hypothalamus. As the brain’s command center, the hypothalamus triggers several reactions, including quicker pulse, blood pressure, and breathing.

Though these are normal responses, when they happen too frequently, harmful side effects are often noted. Consistent stress could cause an anxiety disorder, usually resulting in memory issues. The fear response causes the release of stress hormones and higher electrical activity. The longer it lasts, the more taxing it is on your brain’s resources, affecting other functions, including memory.

Unlike stress and anxiety, depression causes feelings of hopelessness rather than fear and agitation. The memory loss associated with this condition is also unique. Those afflicted with depression often experience memory issues with positive events while focusing on negative ones. Experts believe such behavioral changes may result from hippocampus shrinkage, altering several brain functions.

Resources:

  1. Harvard Health Publishing, February 1, 2013, The four horsement of forgetfulness https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-four-horsemen-of-forgetfulness
  2. Yale Medicine, Chronic stress https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/stress-disorder
  3. NCBI, November 1, 2015, The effects of chronic stress on health: new insights into the molecular mechanisms of brain-body communication.
  4. Harvard Health Publishing, February 15, 2021, Protect your brain from stress https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protect-your-brain-from-stress
  5. Rivier University, The Relationship Between Anxiety and Memory Loss https://www.rivier.edu/academics/blog-posts/the-relationship-between-anxiety-and-memory-loss/
  6. NCBI, March 1, 2019, Mechanisms of Memory Disruption in Depression https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5835184/
This content comprises informative and educational resources only and can not be considered as a substitute for professional health or medical guidance. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. If you have any inquiries or apprehensions about your medical condition or health goals, talk with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.