Types of amnesia and their characteristics

Oblivions are one of the most frequent causes for which a person goes to a specialist. Currently, many of the activities we carry out require a great commitment on the part of our memory, however, sometimes difficulties that concern the way this function of the brain.

The alteration that appears in memory is known as amnesia. However, we must bear in mind that amnesia can demonstrate in different ways. Knowing relevant and precise data about this topic can guide you about how to overcome obstacles to everyday life with amnesia. Therefore, in this Psychology-online article, we will show you what are the types of amnesia and their characteristics.

1. Retrograde amnesia
2. Anterograde amnesia
3. Amnesia caused by drugs
4. Lacunar amnesia
5. Child Amnesia
6. Dissociative amnesia
7. Global amnesia

Retrograde amnesia

Retrograde amnesia refers to inability to recover information from the past. The causes of this type of amnesia have a clear impact on the development of pathology. In some cases, the origin of retrograde amnesia can be suffered an accident that affects certain brain areas linked to information storage.

In this sense, people with a diagnosis of retrograde amnesia have no memories of the past until the moment the clinical picture is consolidated, that is,, They only keep subsequent information to trigger syndrome.

An example of retrograde amnesia could be that of an 18 -year -old who has suffered a stroke at 18. If this causes retrograde amnesia, it means that it will hardly remember prior information at age 18, although it will remember data after the fact.

Anterograde amnesia

Unlike retrograde amnesia, this type of amnesia is characterized by Difficulty in storing present information, Beyond having memories of the past. In other words, short -term memory is affected, so new information cannot be retained and is lost in a short time.

The possible causes that trigger this type of retrograde amnesia can be diverse, but the most frequent are brain injuries suffered at an early vital stage such as childhood or adolescence. This condition does not allow the person to acquire new information and, therefore, hinders its adaptation with the environment. As a result, people with anterograded amnesia usually have inconveniences to form new social ties.

Amnesia caused by drugs

In this type of amnesia alters neuronal operation linked to information storage Because of drug use. Unlike previous and retrograde amnesia, it is the consumption of toxic substances or some medication that causes this type of side effects in the body.

Amnesia caused by drugs is manifested in those people who consume drugs with very intense effects, for example, in cases of patients who must be surgically intervened. In this article you will find more information about drug addiction: causes and treatment.

Lacunar amnesia

Lacunar amnesia refers to inability to remember certain specific moments that take place in a specific period of time. However, the particularity of this type of amnesia is that the person can remember previous information and after that moment.

For example, a person with lacunar amnesia cannot remember certain data about what happened to him during a robbery, due to the level of stress he faced. However, information prior to the fact is intact, just like later moments.

Child Amnesia

Another type of amnesia that refers to the Difficulty reminding events that occurred during childhood. In general, this occurs when the person is exposed to situations that imply a high level of stress. Child amnesia can occur in people who have suffered sexual abuse or verbal and/or physical violence, among other unpleasant situations.

Dissociative amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is that the person forgets information associated with some traumatic situation. As we see, it is a involuntary defense mechanism that enables the oblivion of distressing moments, panic, terror and/or sadness.

In this sense, the people who were part of military armies for a war could suffer this type of amnesia, given the painful situations they crossed.

Global amnesia

Finally, within the types of amnesia, the most serious is global amnesia, that is, the PTotal memory of memory. Moreover, this type of amnesia is usually a consequence of an event that alters the functioning of the cerebral cortex.

As we see, global amnesia seriously affects the development of daily activities, since The person is not able to remember information from the past or retain new information. In these cases, it is necessary that patients go to health professionals who help them improve their clinical picture.

For example, someone who suffers from global amnesia may have difficulty remembering who are the people of their surroundings, as well as what kind of activities carried out and how they worked in their day to day.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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