Frontal Lobe Brain Injuries and Short-Term Memory Loss : Short Term Memory

Article by Sylvia Behnish

Short-term memory loss is almost always a result of frontal lobe brain injuries. Shortly after the injury has happened, the short-term memory loss can be so severe that the memory of visitors will last only until shortly after the visitor has left; and memories of what had last been eaten will often be irretrievable.

This type of memory loss affects areas you may not have previously thought of as being a problem. Because of his short-term memory loss, he is not able to follow the necessary sequences of a program or movie to be able to understand and remember what is happening. He also no longer plays games with the family as he once used to do. And until recently, he avoided socializing because it was difficult to interact in conversations when thoughts from the beginning of a conversation were lost by the end of it. It made continuation and inclusion in a conversation very stressful. He has improved in this area when in the company of people he knows well.

The more usual short-term memory difficulties one thinks of are usually associated with remembering appointments. Using a daytimer, calendar or making lists are some of the ways this problem can be solved. However, the additional problem is to remember to use the method decided upon. Another example is when something has been mentioned the previous day and cannot be remembered the following day.

My partner plays the game of ‘pretending’ to remember. He’ll say, ‘Oh right, I remember.’ He will continue to play the game even when I tell him something that I had not mentioned previously and he ‘lets on’ that I had already told him by pretending to ‘remember’.

There are many exercises that can help with the memory. One is to have him/her look at a picture for 60 seconds to begin with and then ask him to remember as many things as he can about the picture. As he gets better, shorten the time. And when he has met the challenge, change the picture.

Another memory exercise is to write down a list of twelve items. Let him/her look at the list for three minutes and then ask him to write down as many of the items as he can remember. As he improves and is able to remember more items, have him do it in less time. Eventually change the list and do it again.

Short-term memory loss can be very frustrating but over time, and with practicing memory exercises, it can improve.

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