$Unique_ID{BRK01237}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{Is Memory Restoration Possible?}
$Subject{amnesia assault memory}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is Memory Restoration Possible?


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QUESTION:  Our daughter, whose marriage has been on the rocks for two years
now and lives with us, was assaulted on her way home from a date, and was
found unconscious.  When she finally came to at the hospital, she could not
remember a thing about the attack, us, her husband or job.  Yet the doctors
tell me there is nothing phyically wrong with her and that treatment will
gradually restore her memory.  We need to know if this is possible, and what
we should do to help her.  We don't have a lot of money.

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ANSWER:  You won't need any money for this answer, and the good news is that
if all you have told me in your long letter is correct, the diagnosis and
treatment all sound rational to me.  Although psychological diagnosis depends
upon knowing the patient an all the circumstanxce quite well, my impression of
this situation is that your daughter is suffering from psychogenic amnesia.
This occurs when the patient has been through a traumatic or a very
distressing situation, and can happen even when there are no injuries to the
brain.  Although the amnesia is usually just for the short period that covers
the hours after the trauma, it can be more generalized and effect a longer
memory period, as in the case of your daughter.  There are many theories to
explain the causes for the memory loss, but it frequently happens in young
adults who have no previous history of mental disease, and may even be caused
by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.  There are many types of
therapy, including medication, behavioral modification, and psychotherapy
which is the treatment most frequently used.  Many patients recover after a
short time without any special treatment, but all sufferers from amnesia
should be followed closely by a physician who is alert to the possible
complications that can arise.  Your description of your doctor convinces me
that he has the situation in hand and the care of your daughter is proceeding
well.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
