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Can Extreme Stress Cause Mild Cognitive Impairment? Such As Short
Question: Can extreme stress cause mild cognitive impairment? Such as short term memory loss and feeling super spaced out? How long does that usually last?
Brief Answer:
Yes it can cause amnesia
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Yes, extreme stress especially extreme pain can cause mild cognitive impairment, memory loss and feeling of spaced out.
Cognitive impairment and feeling spaced out recover with time as stressfull event is removed.
Memory loss about the stressor or pain or the whole event is usually permanent and can be considered a blessing in most such situations.
If you let me know the details, I will be better able to help.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Yes it can cause amnesia
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Yes, extreme stress especially extreme pain can cause mild cognitive impairment, memory loss and feeling of spaced out.
Cognitive impairment and feeling spaced out recover with time as stressfull event is removed.
Memory loss about the stressor or pain or the whole event is usually permanent and can be considered a blessing in most such situations.
If you let me know the details, I will be better able to help.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
You mean forgetting the stressor is a blessing?
Brief Answer:
Yes, it can be blessing in most cases
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Short term amnesia usually happens after an acute stressor e.g severe labour pain or motor vehicle accident. In such cases the patient may forget the time period before, during and after the stressor. In these cases the stressor has come and gone; and there is no use of remembering the stressor as it may cause more stress later on. In such cases it is a blessing.
Although these symptoms may have another cause (other than stressor).
Dr Vaishalee
Yes, it can be blessing in most cases
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Short term amnesia usually happens after an acute stressor e.g severe labour pain or motor vehicle accident. In such cases the patient may forget the time period before, during and after the stressor. In these cases the stressor has come and gone; and there is no use of remembering the stressor as it may cause more stress later on. In such cases it is a blessing.
Although these symptoms may have another cause (other than stressor).
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
What about severe anxiety? Can that make you feel spaced out or detached?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Of course. Severe anxiety is frequently accompanied with amnesia. It is body natural defense against the stressor i.e anxiety. In anxiety you may need to relax. Breathing based meditation may be helpful to let go of the anxiety.
But I would look for other causes if its hampering in your daily activities and you may forgetting your own identity. Also if the amnesia is not in the past but is ongoing. In such case I would look for other causes.
Dr Vaishalee
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Of course. Severe anxiety is frequently accompanied with amnesia. It is body natural defense against the stressor i.e anxiety. In anxiety you may need to relax. Breathing based meditation may be helpful to let go of the anxiety.
But I would look for other causes if its hampering in your daily activities and you may forgetting your own identity. Also if the amnesia is not in the past but is ongoing. In such case I would look for other causes.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I’m not forgetting my identity I just feel spacey, almost like i’m on drugs when i’m not. Like slowed thinking and can’t concentrate as well.
Brief Answer:
Its mostly anxiety related
Detailed Answer:
Anxiety is an excessive worry/fear of something and also has too many thoughts. So if you are feeling spaced out ad thinking less, then its a combat to the anxiety. But your situation isn't that bad. Your defense mechanisms are working at their best. You may want to let the spaced out feeling be. You may relax and rest for a while.
I don't think it will hamper in your work either, so no need to avoid work. Working will help take mind off your own experience.
Anyways medicines are not going to work on thoughts or spaced out feeling. So you may just play along.
If it continues, then its a good idea to request a CT scan of the head.
Dr Vaishalee
Its mostly anxiety related
Detailed Answer:
Anxiety is an excessive worry/fear of something and also has too many thoughts. So if you are feeling spaced out ad thinking less, then its a combat to the anxiety. But your situation isn't that bad. Your defense mechanisms are working at their best. You may want to let the spaced out feeling be. You may relax and rest for a while.
I don't think it will hamper in your work either, so no need to avoid work. Working will help take mind off your own experience.
Anyways medicines are not going to work on thoughts or spaced out feeling. So you may just play along.
If it continues, then its a good idea to request a CT scan of the head.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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