Scientists think that memory blocks become more common with age and that they account for the trouble older people have remembering other people's names. Research shows that people are able to retrieve about half of the blocked memories within just a minute. Misattribution occurs when you remember something accurately in part, but misattribute some detail, like the time, place, or person involved.
Another kind of misattribution occurs when you believe a thought you had was totally original when, in fact, it came from something you had previously read or heard but had forgotten about. This sort of misattribution explains cases of unintentional plagiarism, in which a writer passes off some information as original when he or she actually read it somewhere before.
As with several other kinds of memory lapses, misattribution becomes more common with age. As you age, you absorb fewer details when acquiring information because you have somewhat more trouble concentrating and processing information rapidly. And as you grow older, your memories grow older as well. And old memories are especially prone to misattribution. Suggestibility is the vulnerability of your memory to the power of suggestion — information that you learn about an occurrence after the fact becomes incorporated into your memory of the incident, even though you did not experience these details.
Although little is known about exactly how suggestibility works in the brain, the suggestion fools your mind into thinking it's a real memory. Even the sharpest memory isn't a flawless snapshot of reality.
In your memory, your perceptions are filtered by your personal biases — experiences, beliefs, prior knowledge, and even your mood at the moment. Your biases affect your perceptions and experiences when they're being encoded in your brain.
And when you retrieve a memory, your mood and other biases at that moment can influence what information you actually recall. Although everyone's attitudes and preconceived notions bias their memories, there's been virtually no research on the brain mechanisms behind memory bias or whether it becomes more common with age. Most people worry about forgetting things. But in some cases people are tormented by memories they wish they could forget, but can't. The persistence of memories of traumatic events, negative feelings, and ongoing fears is another form of memory problem.
Some of these memories accurately reflect horrifying events, while others may be negative distortions of reality. People suffering from depression are particularly prone to having persistent, disturbing memories. So are people with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD. PTSD can result from many different forms of traumatic exposure — for example, sexual abuse or wartime experiences.
For example, they might be concerned about taking longer than before to learn new things, or they may sometimes forget to pay a bill. These changes are usually signs of mild forgetfulness — often a normal part of aging — not serious memory problems.
What's the difference between normal, age-related forgetfulness and a serious memory problem? It's normal to forget things once in a while as we age, but serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things like driving, using the phone, and finding your way home. Talk with your doctor to determine whether memory and other cognitive problems, such as the ability to clearly think and learn, are normal and what may be causing them. Some older adults have a condition called mild cognitive impairment , or MCI, meaning they have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age.
People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and do their normal activities. If you have MCI, visit your doctor every six to 12 months to track changes in memory and other thinking skills over time. There may be habits and behaviors you can change and activities you can do to help you maintain memory and thinking skills.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It includes the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to the extent that it interferes with a person's quality of life and activities.
Memory loss, though common, is not the only sign of dementia. People with dementia may also have problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention. Some people have personality changes. Do you think that a medicine may be affecting your memory? Think about whether the memory problems started when you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.
Are you having problems with judgment or problem solving? Are these symptoms new? Are these symptoms causing problems in your daily life? Have you had problems with memory loss, confusion, or alertness for more than 2 weeks? Memory loss, confusion, or changes in alertness for more than 2 weeks. These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health.
If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner. Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.
You may need care sooner. Symptoms of a heart attack may include: Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest. Shortness of breath. Nausea or vomiting. Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms. Lightheadedness or sudden weakness. A fast or irregular heartbeat.
Problems with memory, judgment, or problem solving include things like: Frequently misplacing items you use often unless you have always done this. Getting lost while walking or driving in a place you know well. Having more trouble with tasks you used to be able to do without difficulty, like balancing your checkbook or preparing a meal. Confusion may range from mild to severe.
A person who is confused may: Be unable to express his or her thoughts clearly. Have trouble solving problems and performing simple tasks. Express firmly held but false beliefs delusions. See, hear, feel, smell, or taste things that are not really there hallucinations or illusions. Believe that others want to harm him or her paranoia.
Symptoms of a stroke may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body. Sudden vision changes.
Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Sudden problems with walking or balance. A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can affect your memory. A few examples are: Antidepressants. Medicines for bladder control problems anticholinergics. Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example: You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk mild difficulty breathing , or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all severe difficulty breathing.
Severe trouble breathing means: You cannot talk at all. You have to work very hard to breathe. You feel like you can't get enough air. You do not feel alert or cannot think clearly. Moderate trouble breathing means: It's hard to talk in full sentences. It's hard to breathe with activity. Mild trouble breathing means: You feel a little out of breath but can still talk. It's becoming hard to breathe with activity.
Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Call or other emergency services now. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor.
Home Treatment As you age, it is normal to experience some memory lapses. Try these steps to help improve your memory: Focus your attention. Often forgetfulness may mean that you have too much on your mind.
Slow down and pay full attention to the task you are doing now. Stick to a routine. Complete common tasks in the same order each time you do them.
Structure your environment to help improve your memory. Use calendars and clocks. Use lists, notes, and other helpful devices as reminders. Write your daily activities on a calendar or daily planner, and keep it in a place where you can see it easily.
Store easy-to-lose items in the same place each time after you use them. For example, install a hook by the door and hang your keys from it every time you come in. Try memory tricks, such as the following: To remember a person's name, repeat it several times after being introduced. To recall numbers, group them and then relate them to a date or story. For example, if your personal identification number PIN is , remember it with the phrase "20 plus 20 equals Retrace your steps if you can't remember why you went into a room.
Reduce your stress. Being anxious can impair your memory. For more information, see the topic Stress Management. Review all your prescription and nonprescription medicines and dosages with your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines, by themselves or in combination with other medicines, can cause mental confusion. Also, confusion may occur when medicines interact in your body. If you see several doctors, make sure that they all know what other medicines you are taking.
Have all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the combination of your medicines could cause problems. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: Loss of function, confusion , or decreasing alertness develops. A memory problem develops.
Symptoms become more frequent or severe. Prevention You can sometimes reduce the impact of age-related memory problems. Eat a balanced diet. A balanced, low-fat diet with ample sources of vitamins B12 and folate will help protect your nervous system.
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