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3. List and explain the different classifications of amnesias.

Amnesia is one of the world’s most famous, or infamous, illnesses or disorders. Movies, television shows, books, poems, and plays have all used amnesia as a means to tell a story or entertain audiences. However, few people understand exactly what it is and why it occurs. The Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms defines amnesia as a disturbance in, or loss of, memory (Amnesia, 2006). The one thing amnesia does not normally do, however, is cause a person to lose all idea of who he or she is. “Though having no sense of who you are is a common plot device in movies and television, real-life amnesia generally doesn't cause a loss of self-identity” (Amnesia, 2009).

Amnesia can have several causes and be associated with several illnesses. Because amnesia involves memory, “any disease or injury that affects the brain can interfere with the intricacies of memory” and, thereby lead to amnesia (Amnesia, 2009). A stroke can lead to amnesia, as can a lack of oxygen to the brain, such as occurs with a heart attack, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other respiratory distress (Amnesia, 2009). Long term alcohol abuse or a lack of vitamin B1 can also lead to amnesia (Amnesia, 2009). Brain tumors and dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease) can also cause amnesia.

Amnesia may be classified as being partial, complete, organic, hysterical, anterograde, retrograde, or post-traumatic (Amnesia, n.d.). In all classifications of amnesia, however, and regardless of why it occurs, amnesia can also occur suddenly or develop slowly and it may be temporary or permanent. Partial amnesia, as the name implies, is an inability to remember specific pieces of information, such as people’s names. Complete amnesia refers to the loss of memory surrounding an entire event.

Organic amnesia is that caused by illness or accident, such as a seizure, substance abuse, or head trauma (Amnesia, n.d.). Hysterical amnesia is that caused by psychological, not physical, trauma. Anterograde amnesia refers to the inability to make memories following an injury or traumatic event that leads to amnesia. Retrograde amnesia is a type of amnesia that leads people to forget memories they made prior to an injury or trauma that caused amnesia. Post-traumatic amnesia refers to memory loss associated with an accident and often improves over time.

Amnesia is well known, but the specifics of amnesia are not. It is not the unique illness that robs people of all memories and details of their lives, but it is also not a singular illness that affects all people in the same way. There are many unique causes of amnesia just as there are many types of amnesia. All do, however, involve a loss of memory or an inability to form new memories. As a result, all must have a significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from the illness.

References

Amnesia. (n.d.). McMaster University. Retrieved May 11, 2011, from

Amnesia. (2006). Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition). Retrieved May 11, 2011, from

Amnesia. (2009). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 11, 2011, from

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