Memory loss?
 

Hello.
Long story short, does depression cause memory loss? I have chronic depression, and I try not to think much of the my lowest points, but I was asked about things that I should remember from the period I've spent depressed and I just couldn't remember, which greatly frustrates me. It was from like 2007-early 2009. It's unsettling that I can't "draw" things from the period from memory, when I remember most of my life, except for that very obvious time cut. It's not movie-like amnesia, it's just that everything is very hazy and I can only remember things in the vaguest details. It's like if I never lived those years.

Yes it can. It can also impair short term and long term memory for its duration as well as long term affect post-recovery.

I can completely relate to you on that score. I have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and depression, and my memory on the worst times (especially the times when I was an in-patient) are sketchy at best. Sometimes it gets me down that there are huge portions of my life that I can barely remember, but on the other hand, it can feel like a form of self-preservation, to protect us from our worst memories.

Hope you’re feeling OK.

As Bellatrix has already said, yes depression can indeed impair memory.

I also find that my recollection of things from times when I am at my worst are incredibly hazy, which can be frustrating when trying to answer questions for Drs etc. Know you are not alone with this, though, and that it is relatively normal (as much as anything with depression is normal).

*safe hugs*

Roiben x

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
I do think it's a mostly positive thing that I can't remember much, especially because I rarely have to or want to remember anything specific. The GF wanted me to remember vague things from when we were together and I was already in a bad enough state, I couldn't remember, and this unsettled me. I think I'm fine now, only a bit worried about other things in my life, but it's all manageable if I keep my head up.

Yes, it's possible. I don't remember much of my childhood, I remember once when I was in college so I was alot younger I got asked something like 'what was my favourite toy as a child' and I honestly couldn't remember. I couldn't even remember what toys I had (apart from soft toys-as I still have them all in a box) I find that I can't remember much from my childhood pretty sad..but I seem to remember most of the bad 'incidents'

I also have awful short term memory loss at the moment but I think mostly that's the meds I am on.