Millions of people in the United States experience sleep troubles ― and that number is staggering in people with PTSD, affecting upwards of 70–90% of people with the condition. It’s no surprise that we actually have different types of memory, both short-term and long-term ― and that PTSD may affect a person’s memory ability in different ways. Our ability to form, store, and recall memories is a fascinating and complex skill, and there are multiple areas of the brain that help us hone this skill throughout our lifetime. I loved my treatments , the doctors, the staff as well as the office itself.

PTSD Memory Loss: 10 Ways it’s Affecting You

What’s significantly painful to you may not be the same as what’s significant for somebody else. So, the traumatic experience that leads to memory loss may be different for everyone. Next time you experience an episode, revisit what you were feeling and thinking just before the flashback or dissociation occurred. The more ​early warning signs you can come up with, the better able you will be to prevent future episodes. For individuals with PTSD, these blackouts may occur during times of extreme stress or anxiety.

• Dissociation is an experience where you may feel disconnected from yourself and/or your surroundings.
• Regular mental activities, like playing brain games and learning new skills, can help to keep your brain sharp and active.
• People with PTSD also often experience difficulties sleeping, and poor sleep can further impact your ability to concentrate and stay focused during the day.
• That’s not a sign that you’re faking or lying about your memory loss.

Seek Treatment

I felt very comfortable with my technician and all his knowledge about TMS . His patience in taking his time to answer all my questions and concerns were highly appreciated. If you or someone you know thinks you are suffering from PTSD then take this quick online test or click to learn more about the condition. Remember that hopelessness, too, can be a symptom of the disorder.

Medical Professionals

• For others, avoidance has a literal, physical manifestation, involving the avoidance of any place or situation that could relate to the traumatic event.
• There’s more than a century of research into this condition, and experts can now diagnose it and offer treatment options.
• Make sure that the person you bring with you is also aware of your triggers.

Amnesia from traumatic experiences can be better addressed with the support of a mental health professional. They’ll help you explore the root cause of the memory loss, as well as any other symptoms you might be experiencing from the trauma. When you think of memory loss and trauma, you may think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a well-known mental health condition that can include symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares. Scientific studies indicate that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) strongly affects the hippocampus, a brain region tasked with handling emotions and memories. Individuals affected by PTSD experience a reduction of up to 8% in the size of their hippocampus from its original dimensions.

Flashbacks and dissociation are often triggered or cued by some kind of reminder of a traumatic event. For example, encountering certain people, going to specific places, or some other stressful experience may trigger a flashback. There’s more than a century of research into this condition, and experts can now diagnose it and offer treatment options. That means there’s hope for you to regain your memories and recover from trauma or manage its effects.

• A person who is blacked out may also throw up while sleeping, which could lead to an increased risk of choking or suffocating.
• Next time you experience an episode, revisit what you were feeling and thinking just before the flashback or dissociation occurred.
• The first posits that memory deficits are a product of neurobiological abnormalities caused by PTSD.
• It’s also crucial for you to feel you can trust your mental health provider.

Fortunately, PTSD and memory loss are highly treatable with traditional therapies and self-help techniques. Memory loss is a complex symptom and can be experienced as a result of a number of trauma-related ptsd memory loss blackouts mental health conditions. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event.

What can I expect if I have dissociative amnesia?

Memory loss may seem to be a fanciful or unrealistic invention. Still, it is a regular symptom of many traumatic disorders and experiences and can have serious and severe consequences. Unfortunately, some people won’t regain their missing memories. While that’s not the case for most people with dissociative amnesia, it does happen. If you’re concerned about this happening, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you develop coping strategies to manage the feelings you experience surrounding this.

Improve Your Sleep