Missouri residents like you know that you have a road to recovery after a brain injury. Some issues sort themselves out sooner than others. One of the longest-lasting potential impact are brain injuries and their related results.
But just how do brain injuries affect your memory? Why is memory loss and damage so common after a brain injury in the first place?
Why does short term memory suffer the brunt?
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center discusses how brain injuries can impact short term memory. Long term memory is often fine. Why? Different areas of the brain handle short term and long term memory. The part that handles short term memory is in the front, which makes it more susceptible to damage.
Short term memory loss often starts off severe and grows more mild with time, healing and therapy. At the start, you could struggle to remember what you were doing just seconds earlier. But even during recovery, short term memory loss can impact your life in a big way.
How short term memory damage impacts you
Some of the examples include:
- Forgetting where you placed important items like your wallet or phone
- Forgetting to make appointments because you cannot remember the date or time, or forgot you had an appointment altogether
- Leaving tasks unfinished because you forgot you were working on them (laundry, cleaning, etc.)
- Forgetting to return calls or messages
Obviously, short term memory loss affects your ability to work, too. Many victims struggle to maintain productivity and end up taking leave or having to quit. This is also why victims of brain injuries seek financial compensation. It allows you to care for your health without worrying about maintaining income as you recover.