Can depression, anxiety or stress cause memory loss?
Yes, the NHS lists all three. They can be common, treatable causes. But poor sleep, an underactive thyroid and some medicines can do it too, so the cause is worth checking.
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Can depression cause memory loss?
Yes. The NHS lists stress, anxiety or depression among the common, treatable causes of memory loss. Sleeping problems are on the same list.
Thinking tests back this up. A review found moderate gaps in memory, attention and planning in people with depression, compared with people without it.
Depression signs last for weeks or months. They can get in the way of work, social life and family life. It often comes on gradually, so it can be hard to notice.
| Cause | Thinking signs the NHS lists | Other signs to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Being forgetful, difficulty concentrating, struggling to make decisions | Feeling overwhelmed, constantly worrying, sleeping too much or too little |
| Anxiety (generalised anxiety disorder, GAD) | Finding it difficult to concentrate | Feeling restless or irritable, difficulty sleeping, getting tired easily |
| Depression | Finding it difficult to make decisions | Continuous low mood, no interest in things, disturbed sleep, lack of energy |
Sources: NHS: stress; NHS: GAD; NHS: depression
Next step: jot down what you’ve been forgetting, when it started and how your mood has been. A GP will ask questions to find the cause, and notes make that easier.
Anxiety and memory problems
Anxiety is linked to a weaker working memory. That’s the part that holds something in mind while you use it, like a phone number as you dial it.
A review of 177 groups, over 22,000 people in all, found that people who rated themselves as more anxious did worse on working memory tests.
That review used lab tests, not everyday forgetting. Still, the NHS lists finding it difficult to concentrate as a sign of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Most people feel anxious sometimes. The NHS says it’s more likely to be GAD if you feel anxious most of the time and it affects your everyday life. For ways to ease it, see natural remedies for anxiety.
Stress and memory loss
The NHS names being forgetful as a mental sign of stress. Difficulty concentrating and feeling overwhelmed are on the same list.
Stress can upset your sleep too, so you sleep too much or too little. With insomnia, you may find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you’re tired.
The NHS’s simplest tip is a list. It says making a list of things to remember can really help.
Is work the main cause? See stress at work. For a wider plan, see managing stress.
Is it depression or dementia?
Memory problems do not necessarily mean you have dementia. The NHS lists depression and anxiety among the other causes.
The signs overlap, though. Early dementia signs include memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mood changes. Stress and anxiety can bring some of those too.
The NHS says do not try to self-diagnose the cause of your memory loss. Always see a GP.
| Cause | What to know |
|---|---|
| Sleeping problems (insomnia) | Being tired can make it hard to concentrate during the day. |
| Underactive thyroid | A GP can check your thyroid with a blood test. |
| Side effects of some medicines | Your GP can review prescribed medicines, ones from a pharmacy and supplements. |
| Sudden confusion (delirium), for example from an infection | Go to A&E or call 999 if someone suddenly becomes confused. |
| Dementia | Some memory loss can just be part of getting older. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing, so talk to a GP sooner rather than later if you’re worried. |
Sources: NHS: dementia diagnosis; NHS: memory loss; NHS: confusion; NHS: dementia signs
Think a medicine is to blame? Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. Ask your GP instead.
What a GP may do about memory problems
- 1
Questions
The GP asks about your memory. Bring someone who can help describe it.
- 2
Check and tests
A physical examination, and maybe a blood test and urine test.
- 3
Memory test
If dementia is a worry, you’ll be asked to do a memory or thinking test.
- 4
Medicines review
The GP looks at everything you take, including vitamin supplements.
Sources: NHS: memory loss; NHS: dementia diagnosis; NHS: dementia tests
Checking for dementia? NHS blood tests usually look at liver, kidney and thyroid function, HbA1c (a diabetes test), and vitamin B12 and folate (another B vitamin).
More on these in blood tests for brain fog, underactive thyroid symptoms and low vitamin B12.
What helps your memory when you’re stressed or low?
Six things to try this week
- Make a list of things to remember, and plan ahead for stressful days or events.
- Set small targets you can easily achieve, rather than trying to do everything at once.
- Use a breathing exercise when stress builds.
- Try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve stress.
- Bring someone to your GP appointment who can help describe your memory problems.
- For anxiety or depression, refer yourself to NHS talking therapies if you’re 18 or over (16 or over in some areas) and registered with a GP.
Sources: NHS: stress; NHS: memory loss; NHS talking therapies
For anxiety and depression, you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without speaking to a GP.
Focus can take longer to recover than mood. In the depression review, people whose depression had eased still scored lower on attention and planning, on average. Their memory gap was smaller and not clear cut.
For more tricks, see everyday memory strategies. For better nights, see sleep hygiene.
When to speak to a GP
The NHS says it’s often nothing serious, but best checked, as any treatment may work better if started early. See a GP if:
- Memory problems are affecting your day-to-day life.
- You have symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
- You think you might have GAD, or you’ve been diagnosed and treatments are not helping.
- You’re struggling to cope with stress, or things you’re trying yourself are not helping.
- You’re worried about an older relative who’s becoming increasingly forgetful.
Go to A&E or call 999 if someone suddenly becomes confused. Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance, and bring any medicines.
Need urgent help for your mental health? Call 111 and select the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment. You can also call Samaritans on 116 123.
Call 999 or go to A&E if someone’s life is at risk, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.