Mild forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, and many people experience slight problems with memory and thinking as they grow older. However, other adults have severe memory loss that destabilizes their lives. There are many causes of memory loss in adulthood including Alzheimer’s disease, medical conditions, and mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common condition that results in memory loss in adulthood (Berger, 2019). Some symptoms include completely losing track of the day and time of year, trouble holding a conversation, and misplacing things frequently and not finding them. It is different from normal ageing which is characterized by mild forgetfulness such as temporarily forgetting the day of the week or the word to use in a conversation.
Another cause of memory loss in adulthood is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is a condition in which a person has more problems with memory or thinking than adults their age. It is less severe than Alzheimer’s disease and does not typically include personality change (Deak et al., 2016). Additionally, people with MCI can still take care of themselves since the condition does not significantly destabilize their lives. Aside from memory problems, people with MCI may experience movement difficulties.
Memory loss in adulthood may also be due to a range of medical conditions. For instance, blood clots, infections, and tumors in the brain can cause memory problems. Other medical conditions that could result in memory loss include alcoholism, head injuries, and certain medications. Additionally, emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress can exacerbate memory and thinking problems (Borelli et al., 2020). As people grow older, they must be watchful of the signs of memory loss. People who experience memory impairment may need the assistance of care providers to navigate through adulthood. They should also seek treatment to manage the symptoms of the disorders that cause memory loss.
References
Berger, K. S. (2019). Invitation to the life span (4th ed.). Worth.
Borelli, C. M., Grennan, D., & Muth, C. C. (2020). Causes of memory loss in elderly persons. Jama, 323(5), 486-486. Web.
Deak, F., Kapoor, N., Prodan, C., & Hershey, L. A. (2016). Memory loss: Five new things. Neurology. Clinical practice, 6(6), 523–529. Web.
