Troubles with attention and memory affect the lives of millions of people across the globe. Many worldwide are currently experiencing difficulties with their memory, active attention, and retention of information; severely impacting the everyday life of those affected. As with any diagnosis, the onset of cognitive impairment could be from a plethora of factors, including but not limited to genetics, environment, lifestyle, and injuries.

Common Experiences

Memory and attention impairment have no age range; people of all ages, at any stage of life, are susceptible to developing and experiencing various advancements of cognitive impairment. Some common experiences as someone living with memory impairment may be having an increased difficulty in trying to recall minor details, a slower speed in which someone processes information, frequently misplacing or losing items such as a coat or car keys and forgetting the topic or the words they were going to say mid-conversation.

When to be Concerned

Often, at the first appearance of a loved one exhibiting this behavior, those around them start to worry. There are numerous forms and formal diagnoses regarding memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction, yet, despite the varying criteria, there are several overlapping symptoms and experiences to watch for as these could indicate an existing neurological issue. Some actions to be wary of include frequently asking the same questions and not seeming to remember the answer, feeling or looking disoriented or generally perplexed, changes in behavior and mood or having issues with emotional regulation, and bouts of impulsivity when making decisions. These experiences may not be worrying when they seldom occur, however, the more frequent and intense, the more one should be concerned.

What to Do

When you start to notice changes or behavior impacted by memory and attention impairment, set up an appointment for or with the patient to see a neurologist. It is crucial that for diagnoses like Dementia or Alzheimer’s, there is early medical intervention as studies show it improves the quality of life for the patient. As for general trouble concentrating and retaining information, the same is true. Finding the root cause of the inability to focus may uncover a new diagnosis or provide some relevant information to navigate these symptoms.