I have had ECT treatments and have memory problems

by Carol
(Panama City, FL)

I have had depression for many years. I have been told that depression can cause memory problems. Additionally, I have had many ECT (electroshock treatments). I now have memory problems.

My long term memory problem is severe. I have few memories. I am hoping to further develop my short term memory. I have difficulty with such things as remembering numbers or letters. I have great difficulty reading and recalling what I have read.

Cooking is difficult because it is hard to follow a recipe. I could give many additional examples but these are just a few. Please help me as I struggle to get better.

Doug's Reply. Hopefully your doctors have provided useful suggestions in the past. Your issues seem quite significant.

I normally recommend that someone with short-term memory problems learn memory techniques. But with the challenges you face, you might want to focus on improving the health and functioning of your brain first.

Don't doubt that your brain can change for the better. An article in yesterday's New York Times titled "This Year, Change Your Mind" describes an astonishing fact about the brain that scientists discovered only recently: that your brain can change, adapt, and grow throughout your lifetime.

For this to happen, you need to give your brain the proper stimulation. And for that reason, my top recommendation is that you subscribe to an online brain training service such as Lumosity.

Lumosity is a website where you play scientifically designed brain games, and I have used it myself for over two years. Included in the subscription are brain training "courses," including one for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).


Here's the description for the Lumosity TBI course:

This course was designed in collaboration with UCSD neuroscientist Douglas Johnson, PhD, for the rehabilitation of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and combat-related cognitive deficits.

Since you have had ECT treatments, I'd bet some or all of the brain skills that the TBI course trains are relevant to your situation.

Play the Lumosity brain games twice a day for about 15 minutes each session. Within two or three weeks of consistent practice you should notice whether the games are helping you to improve.

My other suggestion would be to make improvements in your overall health. What you eat, whether or not you exercise, and how well you sleep at night all affect your brain power and memory.

Consult with your doctor about starting a regular exercise routine. Research has shown that intense aerobic exercise (such as bike riding, stairmaster, jumping rope, etc.) can actually grow new brain cells in the memory centers of the brain. You also probably know that exercise is one of the most powerful antidotes to depression.

One final suggestion: Spend 10 minutes every day in mindfulness meditation. This form of meditation is easy to do because it involves paying attention to your breathing.

Meditation is a powerful way to improve concentration. Your short-term memory problem could be related to difficulty in concentrating. You can learn more about meditation on my Meditation and Memory page.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Best regards,
Douglas
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com