What would cause a 17 year old to have memory loss?

Question

This is my relative. He is too young for alzheimers. He has a history of psychological problems and is on antidepressant but the psychologist said that would not cause memory loss and the psychologist thinks he is lying about it.
But my relative keeps forgetting things and I have witnessed this, I don't think he is faking and I am concerned. He forgets things I've told him, forgets things we've done together. He forgot his passwords. He does things he doesn't remember doing. I am seriously worried but the psychologist said there is no way he is telling the truth. Is there some condition that could be causing this? IF so, what?

The doctors have done blood work multiple times to check for drug use. They don't do it every day, but he's had like 3 tests since january. I can't tell you exactly what they test for but they wanted to rule out drug abuse as the cause of some of his symptoms.

The doctor thought he had signs of dissociation but then said no that wouldnt happen unless there was childhood abuse, and my relative denied ever being abused so then the psych said that couldnt be it. BUt then, I think, maybe the psychologist is wrong on that so I asked it in a separate question, about diagnosing dissociative symptoms and if childhood abuse is a requirement.

This relative has been living with me since his last discharge from a psychiatric hosptial in January and I have been awarded guardianship. But I don't see how that is relavant and I wish whoever stalked my last question to yell at me would just get a hobby or something because I shouldnt have to tell you all my personal business just what is relavent to the question.

Answer 1

Antidepressants can cause memory loss. So can stress. Do not under estimate how medication and stress can affect a person.

I don't know why a physician would say this. Many things cause memory problems. There is the possibility that he is exaggerating his memory problem. Especially for his age.

Here is why I believe him. I can't remember anything. (particularly things I do with people or stuff that other people remember)....but I do tend to remember the jist of things when I am reminded. My family and friends use to make fun of it...and once thought I made it up. But alas after many years like this...everyone accepts it.

It can be treated to some degree. Particularly if your relative is still depressed. Depression can suck life and memory from people. So treatment can help. But don't doubt his sincerity. I wish more than anything that I had a better memory.

Have him write down things. Keep a journal...or a calendar. It will help. But he may or may not improve. It just tends to be worse sometimes...and this may be one of those times it is worse.

I live in that world. Believe me...I don't like it but I live with it fine. I am finishing graduate school....and I am smart still. Just don't remember what other people do. He is not alone...and there are others like me...

Smile about it...and one other thing...tell your relative to find another doc. That is ridculous. No professional would say someone is lying. He is a quack.

Answer 2

Your relative could have a number of problems (any one of these or a combo)

- Not getting enough sleep. Either by staying up way too late, or laying down at night but not being able to sleep - life can be pretty full in high school. (they also may not be getting enough physical activity in the day to make them tired)

- Your relative could be hypoglycemic. Its hard to eat a lot of small meals throughout the day when you are in school.

- Improper nutrition if not hypoglycemic. A lot of teens just aren't getting it. They eat garbage, or eat on the go, or wait too long between meals.

Medications CAN have side effects - they are no longer depressed but are in a fog. Not all mental health specialists were also trained as nutrionists so they don't always have all the puzzle pieces. Also check for injury because head trauma can also cause memory loss

Answer 3

Does he do any drugs? I just talked to a 15 year old boy who is having serious memory problems. He believes it to be caused by the pot and other drugs he has taken. The doctor is an idiot to say he is lying. Also, if he drinks a lot of diet soda, the nutrasweet is very toxic and he can end up with holes in his brain. You should do a web search for these and other answers. I'm really sorry for this boy. Also, look into the antidepressant that he is on. Don't trust other opinions on this. I hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

Something as simple as a bump to the head can be behind memory loss.

Trauma, whether something sudden and violent or a car crash, whether now or years before, can be behind some memory loss. PTSD Post traumatic stress disorder can have some strange symptoms - including memory loss.

High stress can effect memory.

Another possibility exists - one of the DID dissociative disorders could be at the root of his problems, especially the part that that he forgets things you've done together, and doing things he does not remember doing. -- If this is the case, it is something you learn to live with, and the lower your stress level, with time and therapy, the effects can be minimized. Some medications can be helpful to this condition.

It might be worth getting a second opinion.

Answer 5

If he has been very stressful lately like with tests and stuff and since he's 17 i'm assuming he might take the SAT's soon. so maybe he has to remember so much at such a short time. I'm 17 and I'm randomly forgeting all these things but it's not like I totally forgot them. I eventually remember...like oh yeah...and it's because i've been tired lately with the all-nighters and stress...which could be the case w/ your relative.

Answer 6

It could be illicit drugs.. but I am on medication and have been on anti-depressants.. and no kidding you, if you asked me at 10am what I had for breakfast... I wouldn't have been able to recall and tell yoou. Hell, just yesterday I had to call the registrar's office to give me my school password and ID number cause I just plum forgot it all of a sudden.

Medications, ALL medications for mental illnesses cause some memory loss ... so that is a bunch of crock on that part.

Answer 7

Antidepressants can cause lots of different side effects. Most likely they are making him feel sedated, and when you feel tired you tend to forget things easier. Also many other things can cause some memory loss, including thyroid disorders. He needs to have a serious talk with his physiatrist and his GP.

Answer 8

hopefully he isn't abusing his meds, or doing something on top of them, wondering if hes ever been in a controlled environment so that DR's could monitor exactly what the antidepressent was doing/or not doing for him. Do you think he may be drinking or drugging otherwise?
Im sure his parents are on top of the situation.

Answer 9

Another possibility would be lack of sufficient REM sleep. Maybe the medications he is taking, or anxiety, or sleep disorders. We require dreaming in order to process memories.

Also, we require attention to remember. Maybe his attention is not focused because of the medications he is on.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

hi, depression can cause memory lose, and so can certain antidepressants, so get a second opinion. look up the side affects of the medication up on the net. i suffered from depression, and had the same. but they changed my medication and i was i better. good luck