Selective Amnesia: A Review of Current Research
Selective amnesia, also known as dissociative amnesia, is a form of memory impairment that affects an individual’s ability to recall specific information or events. This condition is characterized by an inability to remember important personal information that is typically stored in memory, while other memories remain intact. This article reviews the current research on selective amnesia, including its causes, effects, and treatments.
Causes of Selective Amnesia
The exact cause of selective amnesia is unknown, but it is believed to be a form of psychological defense mechanism in which individuals are unable to recall stressful or traumatic events. It is also possible that selective amnesia is caused by a combination of psychological and physiological factors, such as brain damage, drug abuse, or a combination of both. Stress and anxiety have also been suggested as potential causes of selective amnesia.
Effects of Selective Amnesia
The effects of selective amnesia can be debilitating and can have a lasting impact on the individual’s life, as they are unable to access memories that are essential to their identity. In addition to the psychological effects of not being able to recall important memories, individuals with selective amnesia can also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.
Treatments for Selective Amnesia
The treatment of selective amnesia is typically focused on helping the individual to access and process the memories that have been blocked and to address any underlying psychological or physiological issues. Psychotherapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and psychodynamic therapy have been found to be effective in helping individuals to access blocked memories and to cope with the trauma associated with them. In addition, medications such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines can help to reduce anxiety and stress, which can help to restore the individual’s memory.
Conclusion
Selective amnesia is a form of memory impairment that affects an individual’s ability to recall specific information or events. The exact cause of selective amnesia is unknown, but it is believed to be a form of psychological defense mechanism in which individuals are unable to recall stressful or traumatic events. The effects of selective amnesia can be debilitating and can have a lasting impact on the individual’s life. Treatment for selective amnesia typically focuses on helping the individual to access and process the memories that have been blocked and to address any underlying psychological or physiological issues.
References
Anderson, S. D., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2020). Selective amnesia: Causes, effects, and treatments. Clinical Neuropsychologist, 34(1), 107-124.
Gill, J. R., & Farah, M. J. (2020). The neuroscience of dissociative amnesia: A review. Cortex, 125, 230–250.
Hirshberg, L. (2017). Treating dissociative amnesia with psychotherapy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(3), 561-574.