Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about

LIVING WITH AMNESIA

Whether it’s not remembering someone’s name, an item on your mental grocery list, or even something as simple as why you’ve entered a room in the first place, we all experience moments of forgetfulness. Our brains are so full of information that it would be nearly impossible to remember everything, but can you imagine suffering memory loss so great that periods of time in your life become entirely foreign? Or picture not being able to make or retain new memories such as remembering what you ate for breakfast or meeting new people.

This is what amnesia, also known as an amnestic syndrome, can be like for some.

Amnesia is the result of physical factors such as injury, infection, or other trauma that impairs brain function or a psychological cause, like a traumatic experience that serves as a trigger for the loss of memory. Amnesia can be temporary or permanent; those that experience temporary amnesia may eventually regain lost memories or experience the ability to create new memories. Sadly, in situations where there has been extensive physical damage to the brain, memory loss may be permanent.

LIVING WITH AMNESIA

Situations vary in each patient; however, the most common symptoms of amnesia include:

●       Inability to recall information, events, people, time periods, and/or experiences

●       Difficulty recalling past events that occurred before the beginning of the amnesia – also referred to as retrograde amnesia

●       Difficulty remembering new information or events that occur after the beginning of the amnesia – also called anterograde amnesia

●       “Memories” of events that didn’t happen, or confusion about when actual events occurred

●       General confusion

To fully grasp the enormous effect of amnesia on a person’s life, it’s important to think about how much our memories shape who we are. Our ability to remember the experiences, places, people, and events of the past influences our present day decision making, preferences, personality, and overall outlook..

Simply put, our past provides a link to our present and our future.

According to Everyday Psychology, “Memories can suddenly strike and inflict anxiety and panic in an otherwise harmless situation. Mental noise disrupts the lives of many people. Memories have the capacity to alter our feelings, change our world view, and perception of the realities that surround us.”

Those that suffer from amnesia are forced to adapt to not being able to remember things from the past or be deprived of the chance to make new memories in the future.

HOW TO SUPPORT A LOVED ONE WITH AMNESIA

Coping and supporting a family member or friend suffering from amnesia poses its challenges and frustrations. It can even lead to depression and anxiety.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you support and care for your loved one suffering from amnesia:

●       Encourage treatment. Help exists, and it’s important for your loved one to embrace the various opportunities to aid in their recovery

●       Be a part of your loved one’s medical appointments. Given the nature of this disorder, your presence and participation will prove effective when communicating with their doctors

●       Make your own self-care a priority. In managing the stress of being close to someone with such a serious brain disorder, your overall wellness is crucial. You cannot fully support others if your own mental health  tank is not full

●       Keep things as light as possible. Those suffering from amnesia may already be under a tremendous amount of stress. Try and provide a safe and secure environment for them to be themselves

●       Use technology and other tools to create a reminder and organizational systems for your loved one. These will help with daily functioning and keep things running as smoothly as possible

●       Embrace the help of other family members and friends, as you cannot do this all on your own!

●       Whether online or locally, seek out a support group. You’ll find that sometimes the best comfort is realizing that other people are going through a similar situation and you are not alone!

and as always have a chilled day from the Viking