Anxiety and Memory

Our memories can be affected when we are under periods of stress, or experience some sort of disturbance in our mood. Having significant anxiety, or generalized anxiety disorder, can create some of these problems routinely, leaving people operating below their normal level in memory functioning. The following if a brief overview of some of the ways and reasons memory is restricted during anxiety and worry.

Working Memory

There are several different memory systems in our brains that functioning in different capacities. For example, our long-term memory system helps us remember information and events from the distant past, whereas something called “working memory” helps us keep things in mind as we actively work with them. Working memory is critical for us to solve problems effectively and manage chunks of information in the present. When this system is not operating at normal levels, it can lead to mistakes, difficulty completing tasks in a desirable way, difficulty concentrating on a variety of things, and problems multitasking. Unfortunately it is strongly influenced by worry and anxiety.

Memory Problems

Research dating back to the 1970s has shown that working memory and anxiety to be related. Studies have consistently shown that when people experience anxiety, particularly when worry is at high levels (a hallmark of GAD), working memory capacity suffers. What this means is that for people with chronic high levels of worry, like many people with GAD, school/work performance, ability to use complex problem solving strategies, and decision making skills may be compromised.

What to Do

Essentially, this information will hopefully motivate people with GAD and high levels of worry who may notice memory and attention problems to get some form of treatment for these problems. Learning to control and minimize worrying can make a large difference in working memory. This should also validate very real cognitive difficulties that people with GAD experience, which are often attributed to personal deficits than as symptoms of a larger problem.

Click here for more on treatments for GAD.

_{Source: Hayes et al (2008). Journal of Abnormal Psychology.}