Call 000 for an ambulance or go to your local hospital emergency department. If you (or someone you are with) have a sudden onset of memory problems, you should seek immediate medical attention, as the memory problems may be due to a serious medical condition. Sometimes depression can also result in memory problems, but again, there will be other symptoms that can help differentiate between amnesia and depression. People with dementia have a gradual onset of symptoms that include memory problems but other problems as well, such as problems with language and thinking.

In dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, recent memories are often lost first, while the memory of things in the distant past can remain crystal clear. Psychological or emotional shock or trauma (this is known as dissociative amnesia, which is rare – see below).Ongoing alcohol abuse that results in thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).Transient global amnesia (TGA) – see below.Brain infection or inflammation (encephalitis).Injuries to the brain, including concussion.Many things can cause amnesia, including the following. Several different areas of the brain are involved, so damage to any of these areas can affect the ability to form and retrieve memories. The process of memory is complex and not fully understood.

Both conditions affect memory, but amnesia is a problem that only affects memory, while people with dementia also have other symptoms, such as problems with thinking and language. It’s important to note that amnesia is not the same as dementia. But their intelligence, personality, general knowledge and ability to communicate and learn skills is generally not affected. People with amnesia can appear confused or disoriented due to their memory problems. Longer-term memories are affected less often. Amnesia frequently involves loss of recent memories as well as the ability to retain new information.

Causes of amnesia