Memory Trouble And Ptsd Or C-ptsd?

[amcen]

Hello, from a few threads I could see that there is a tendency to link memory problems with PTSD here.

I find that extremely interesting and would like to know if these memory troubles can really be linked with PTSD. Has there been any serious research about that? Where to find such research?

For my part, I always had faces and names memory problems. I just don't memorize names and can't recognize people, which can be embarassing (unless I meet them several times and not in a crowd). I always blamed myself for that, but now I am wondering, can it be linked with PTSD or C-PTSD?

I am happy to say that flashbacks and depression are not a problem anymore for me, I am really healing from "my" C-PTSD, but I still have this memory trouble.

Any comment or information? Can you relate to the same problem?

Thank you :)

 

[franciemarnie]

My understanding of memory problems related to PTSD is that when in traumatic situation, that is fight or flight, our bodies surge with cortisol, and cortisol destroys or can destroy or alter memory neurons. Supposedly men are more inclined to black out than women, something to do with the while atavistic thing of women sheltering children - a biological twist up there in limbic country, but who can say. I'm not wild on generalizations like that. Everyone is different.

For me, I had only a few major black outs under the most extreme stress like the last month my mother was alive and I was taking care of her (cancer). My brother remembers nothing from our childhood. School yes, home life no. I remember most of it. If I am under stress now, my mind doesn't work so well, but currently don't have many memory problems. Then again, my life is very simple and I don't see too many people.

I found out stuff about cortisol and memory when I started Google searching same. Currently reading Shaman, Healer, Sage by Villoldo which is the latest reference I have come across about memory and cortisol and stress.

Hope you have a day with something wonderful in it.

 

[I Can Do This]

Your memory problems do not sound like they are related to PTSD at all IMO. We have memory issues for the reasons franciemarnie mentioned - during trauma our cerebral cortex is low functioning and our reptilian and mid-brain are high functioning - and those two don't reason or think, they just react.

What you are describing sounds different but could be related to a shrunken hippocampus - which holds our short term and directs our long term memories. Hard to say though without a scan.

Repeating back to the person their name is a great way to help remember them. You are using more areas of your brain when you repeat it and gives you a greater chance to retreive the memory.

 

[amcen]

Thank you for your knd answers, Franciemarnie and I can do this :)

Actually I was not refering to the memory loss DURING the traumas, as I know since a while why I lost memory of a whole year of my childhood and why the flashbacks where only extremely violent emotional flashbacks, not related to a usual memory. Since last year (after 38 years!), I got back some memories from that part of my childhood though, a few of them were even beautiful ones :)

The trouble that I was talking about is that if I meet someone I didn't know before, I systematically forget his/her face and name after less than 5 minutes, even if I repeat it loudly or whatever else. To remember a person, I need to meet him/her SEVERAL times privately (in a crowd I just get confuse and can't remember the person). However, once I remember the person, no problem anymore.

I can't help wondering if it is a psychological effect from past, and that is why I am asking if any scientific research has been done on that topic, and if anyone here can relate to that type of trouble, as it seems that several people in this forum have this type of memory problems (not only the direct trauma ones).

Wishing you all the best :)

 

[franciemarnie]

Hi Amcen,

I get the distinction you are making and read an article last year of a woman (with no PTSD) who is unable to recognize faces - ever. I wish I could remember the name of what it was called. Or the name of the magazine but I can't. I don't know if that would be related to what you have. It was something she had always had. Only people's faces.

My heart goes out to you tho, PTSD is tough enough. You don't need any additional undermining states of being.

 

[amcen]

Yes Franciemarnie, I heard about that trouble too and was wondering if my "stuff" was related to that. But as it is names + faces, I don't know. And I anyway memorise these, but it just takes several meetings for me to do so. So...

Anyway, thank you for your kind answer, I wish you the very best for your own recovery and healing :)

 

[jjh29]

Franciemarnie how long did your blackouts typically last?

 

[Abstract]

I am not sure amcen.

I know concentration decreases. I will be interested to see if any research etc is shares here so thanks!

I found this but it doesn't really say much. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12127473 As IRS Scandal Spirals, Progressives Defend Rights 'Even the Tea Party Deserves'

I think partly I don't remember things as my brain is so filled with other stuff. I also think adrenalin and cortisol switches our cognitive abilities off if I am not mistaken.

 

[amcen]

Thank you Abstract,

Yes, it does not say much but it's a start :)

In case anyone has more information, please feel free to give it here :tup:

Best wishes.

 

[franciemarnie]

jjh29, the first black out I remember was for a period of between 4 and 6 weeks. I was 22 and that is 34 years ago so I can't tell you exactly. I know it was a minimum of a month. When I "woke up", I didn't have any memory of the time but I functioned as always and no one was the wiser.

I can't say that I recall too many black outs for the next twenty years. I don't count those few times on tranquilizers or alcohol. Both blacked me out, which is not uncommon experience to some people when under the influence.

Eight years ago I had a slow breakdown under tremendous unrelenting stress and gross sleep deprivation over the course of a year. I had black outs, but the year is hazy so it is difficult to give you the amount of times. They were short lived - as in a few hours. No memories. It was uncomfortable later when I met with people I didn't remember meeting referencing conversations I didn't remember having. When I told the few people I knew about this, they insisted I had been on drugs. I hadn't taken any. That hurt.

I don't have multiple personalities. My behavior during black outs was not unusual for my character. I was sort of functioning with my eyes open while part of me slept. That last period and the time when I was young were characterized by constant fight or flight and severe sleep deprivation.

Hoping you had a day with some good moments. Hopefully a lot!