What is memory loss and what are the causes?

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Everybody forgets things from time to time. In particular, the things that we tend to forget most are the things that we feel do not matter to us. The things that we tend to remember most easily are the things that are important to us - like a special birthday. However, some people just seem to have better memories than others, and some people are more forgetful than others.

There are certain situations that can affect your memory and make you become more forgetful than you normally are. These include the following:

Poor concentration. If our concentration is poor then we do not notice things as much, and do not retain things as much as we would normally. Poor concentration can be a result of simply being bored or tired. However, it is also a symptom of depression and anxiety.
Depression. As well as poor concentration, some people with depression also have slowed thinking. This can cause memory problems until the depression clears. Do tell a doctor if you think that you are depressed as treatment often works well. Other symptoms of depression include: a low mood for most of the time; loss of enjoyment and interest in life; abnormal sadness; weepiness; feelings of guilt or being useless; poor motivation; sleeping problems; tiredness; difficulty with affection; poor appetite; being irritable or restless.
Physical illness. If you feel ill, this can affect concentration and memory. Certain illnesses can directly affect the way the brain works. For example, an underactive thyroid can slow down the body's functions, including the brain, and can make you more forgetful.
Age. As we get older it often becomes harder to remember things. This is called 'Age Associated Memory Impairment'. Many people over the age of 60 have this common problem, and it is not dementia. For example, it tends to be harder to learn new skills the older we become. Another common example is that you may forget the names of people you have recently met. It is thought that the more we use our brains when we are older, the more it may counter the development of this age-related decline in memory function. So, doing things such as reading regularly, quizzes, crosswords, memorising plays or poetry, learning new skills, etc, may help to keep your memory in good shape.
Dementia. Dementia is the most serious form of memory problem. The rest of this leaflet is just about dementia.