Can trauma cause memory loss?

Understanding trauma and its impact on memory

Trauma, often traditionally associated with life-threatening events such as war, natural disasters or abuse, can have profound effects on mental health. Any life threatening event that you either directly experience or witness can be considered a traumatic event. It’s important to define what traumatic experiences are in today’s climate so it is not overused and becomes a disservice to those affected by it. 

A traumatic event can change the shape, volume and decrease function in the areas of the brain that are associated with memory: the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus help us learn by comparing past and present memories. The amygdala is crucial for processing fear-based memories, and its reduced size is responsible for hypervigilance, a symptom of PTSD. And the prefrontal cortex impacts our working memory that helps us function day to day. Therefore, memory loss is highly susceptible to trauma and can be impacted in a wide variety of ways.

Can ptsd cause memory loss?

Yes, PTSD can cause memory loss. Memory issues are one of the many symptoms of PTSD, which can lead to dissociative amnesia - forgetting details of the traumatic event. Additionally, trauma can result in overall forgetfulness in daily life, even years after the event. If you’ve never healed fully from your trauma and have gone through life ignoring the burden of it, you’re probably not equipped to deal with triggers. If you are not actively working out your trauma through internal work: meditating, praying, journaling or attending therapy or counseling, your body will manifest your triggers physically. The outcome is the symptoms of PTSD, including memory loss. 

Dissociative Amnesia and Childhood Trauma

Dissociative amnesia often stems from severe emotional trauma, including childhood trauma. This condition involves blocking out critical details of traumatic events to protect the individual from psychological distress. This is a defense mechanism and also a survival tool to protect those impacted by trauma from the psychological pain of reliving the incident until they are ready. And children, whose brain and bodies are still developing, are less equipped to deal with severe distress, making them significantly more susceptible to dissociative amnesia. Unfortunately, it is common that dissociative amnesia never resolves, leading to lifelong trauma coping. Although, it may seem safer to forget the memory of your pain, it means you are unable to heal from the invisible scars that are affecting your relationships, career possibly, and life. Lack of knowledge of your trauma prevents healing, and makes you susceptible to repeating the same hurt that has been done to you.

Emotional trauma and memory loss

Emotional trauma, such as that from abuse or serious accidents, can lead to significant memory loss. Again, this is due to the brain's way of coping with overwhelming stress, affecting both short-term and long-term memory.

Common symptoms coupled with memory loss

• trouble concentrating

• constant “zoning out”

• chronic unexplained pain

• shallow breathing

• tight muscles 

• fatigue

 Not all people who have gone through trauma experience all or any symptoms of PTSD. However, for those who do experience PTSD, experience a unique coupling of symptoms. Click here to get the full list of symptoms. 

Healing from trauma-induced memory loss

For those who are “doers” and not  “talkers,” a physical approach to healing is available. There is now scientific evidence of healing your mind through movement. Walking for a minimum of 90 minutes per week can lower depressive symptoms, and strength training for at least 120 minutes per week can improve memory loss, when training at a moderate intensity. Techniques to heal trauma-induced memory loss include (click to read more):

• Deep Breathing: Helps manage stress and improve focus.

• Nasal Breathing During Cardio: Enhances respiratory efficiency and stress management.

• Controlled Breathing During Resistance Training: Builds physical resilience and helps manage physical manifestations of stress.

Conclusion

Understanding the connection between PTSD, dissociative amnesia, and emotional trauma is crucial for effective treatment. Those experiencing memory loss due to trauma should explore various healing methods, including physical training and mental health support. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me here: contact coach Dee. I am a licensed personal trainer, specializing in helping those with PTSD. For more resources on how to heal, click the link below:

• How to find the right therapist

• Therapy providers, support groups, specific therapy providers (at the bottom of page)

• Minority specific resources (at the bottom of page)