How and Why Do You Lose Short term Memory?

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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Short term memory, often called the “primary,” “working” or “active” memory, is said to retain information for about 20 seconds. Short term memory retaining capability alters from about 3 or 4 elements (i.e., words, digits, or letters) to about 9 elements: the capacity that is generally quoted is 7±2 elements. However, long-term memory can retain infinite data and can stay stored for an unspecified period of time.

The capability of keeping in mind, small bits of facts in an agile as well as easily procurable condition is termed as a short-term memory. The information may include:

1. sensory input newly worked on;

2. information taken from long-term memory

3. the product of the latest processing carried out in the mind- this, however, is associated with the notion of working memory

Problems associated with short term memory loss can result in difficulties that a person has to face regarding acquisition of new knowledge or even remembering recent incidents. The person with the problem is confronted with difficulties of working in the present and the future- these concepts are hugely affected. The main concern here is how to deal and treat a patient who is suffering from short term memory loss.

How do you lose short -term memory? This loss can be for different reasons. Sometimes it is due to aging; sometimes it is caused as a result of excessive drug usage. Head injury, stress and depression also lead to a decrease in short term recall and cognitive properties. Stroke can injure parts of the brain that retain memory.

How do you lose short-term memory? Progressive diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia or some head trauma can lead to disability and short term memory loss. It has also been seen that some form of surgery has been responsible for the short-term memory retaining capacity of a patient. However, these incidents are quite uncommon.

To prevent aging or avoid it altogether has been the aim of several researches that have been carried out by humans for a long period of time. Our mind is the storehouse of all that we brood over, all that we know as well as knowledge of our identities. Probably it is the most crucial system that is examined in order to find out the effects of aging.

Memory disorders that occur not due to aging:

• Forgetting things at a higher frequency than usual.

• Not remembering how to work things out, things that you have done many times previously.

• Problems in memorizing new things

• Being extremely repetitive in one particular conversation.

• Indecisive and also not good at managing monetary transactions.

• Fail to follow the activities of the day.

According to recent research, marijuanna taken on a daily basis affects the capacity to learn and memorize. It actually damages the ability to concentrate, maintain it and then transfer the concentration elsewhere. A study showed that prolonged use of marijuana weakens the capacity to assimilate and also incorporate intricate details. But we yet need to know how long does marijuana affect short-term memory.

We know that marijuana causes great damage to short-term memory but we do not know how long marijuana affects short-term memory. Marijuana also makes one lethargic and he or she does not feel the impetus to carry out a job, need a nap, even after the high is gone. A study revealed that small doses of marijuana made one incapable of remembering words from a list that was shown to the person 20 minutes earlier.

Memory disorders mostly lead to depression. The mechanisms of the brain slow down and the part of the brain that controls memory is especially affected. If a patient keeps fretting over his or her memory loss, then it is likely that the depression will delve deeper into the system and also a vicious nature will be generated.

One of the very common reasons for memory disorders is stress. Worry or any form of stress can lead to the inability to retain and recall past experiences. Once the disorder is cured over time or proper treatment, things fall into place and memory becomes proficient as earlier.

Now to continue with learning some memory tips and if you really want to improve your short term memory as well as your long term memory, you must read the book “Sorry I Forgot”. The Memory Improvement Tips that are in this book will help you to remember more than you forget. There are many techniques and tricks on how to Improve Your Memory. So just click the link.