Memory loss doesn’t always mean the D-word: dementia. Cognitive decline can also affect the young. If you’ve been suffering from frequent forgetfulness, brain fog, or disorientation, then it could signify an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
So you’ve been having a hard time remember things, like what you had for breakfast this morning, how much your monthly cable bill is, or your bank’s PIN. If you’re young or at least middle-aged, and it seems like you’ve been struggling with memory loss for several months or years, then it’s not your imagination, and you’re not alone.
Because memory loss isn’t just for the elderly; there are many causes for forgetfulness in young people under the age of 65, ranging from fatigue and medication usage to vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic illness.
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Is it memory loss?
It’s one thing to forget your laundry at the dry-cleaning…but if it seems like you’re constantly losing your train of thought, forgetting people’s names, or having a hard time remembering numbers, and if these symptoms are unusual, then it’s a good idea to have it checked out, even if you think you’re too young for memory loss.
Symptoms of cognitive decline, including memory loss, include:
- Difficulty remembering conversations
- Forgetting names and faces
- Losing things constantly
- Brain fog, disorientation
- Confusion about time, dates
- Problems with vocabulary
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty making decisions
- Mood changes
- Disinterest in things you used to enjoy doing
- Trouble learning new tasks
- Decline in math skills
- Problem remembering numbers, amounts
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Causes of memory loss in the young
As mentioned, dementia isn’t the only cause of severe memory loss that requires treatment. You may be suffering from a vitamin deficiency, you may need to get more rest, or you may be getting too much rest…the list goes on.
This does not constitute medical advice- you should see your doctor immediately and discuss your options.
Here is a list of common causes of non-dementia memory loss:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, either due to autoimmune disorder, genetic predisposition, vegan dieting, gastric bypass, medication usage, or gastrointestinal disorders
- Cardiovascular illness
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Organ dysfunction (kidney, liver)
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (closely related)
- Extreme stress
- Medication side effect, including antidepressants, statins, or painkillers
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