Memory loss is one of the most common challenges after brain trauma and it can affect everyone differently.
Depending on where and how the brain was injured, people can experience different types of memory difficulties. They may struggle to remember what happened yesterday or lose memories from around the accident.
When memory loss begins to affect someone’s sense of identity, relationships or emotional wellbeing, practical strategies alone are often not enough. Understanding and support from those around them can be just as important.
In this article, together with one of our Neuro-Psychologists we’ll explore why memory problems happen after brain injury, why some memories are easier to hold on to than others, and what can help people and their families to adapt to life with memory difficulties.
Summary
What you will find in this article:
- Why brain trauma causes memory loss
- What can memory loss look like after brain trauma?
- The three types of memory loss explained
- From before the injury
- New memories after the injury
- Remembering to remember
- Memory problems are often worse immediately after the injury
- Why childhood memories are often better remembered than what happened yesterday
- What can help with memory problems after brain trauma
- Externalise your memory: create a “second brain”
- Turn on the autopilot by following a routine
- Opt for single-tasking and take care of your pacing
- Does memory come back after brain injury?
- Frequently asked questions about memory loss after brain trauma
Why brain trauma causes memory loss
Our brains are constantly taking in information, storing it and bringing it back when we need it. A brain injury can interrupt any part of that process, making it harder to hold on to new information or remember things from the past.
After brain trauma memory problems can occur at any of these stages depending on the type and severity of the accident, as well as routine factors such as sleep quality and emotional stress.
In many cases, what happens is that the brain never properly records the information right after the brain injury.
What can memory loss look like after brain trauma?
Many of our clients living with brain injury describe experiences such as:
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- Forgetting they have already eaten or to eat
- Asking the same question over and over
- Not remembering what happened to them
- Losing track of time such as what year it is, how long since their injury and so on
- Not remembering they are cooking and leaving hobs on
- Forgetting to do something like take medication or go to an appointment
These are all common effects of memory loss. We’ll dive deeper into how and why this happens, which will lead to a better understanding of how the brain works and how to cope with it.
The three types of memory loss explained
Memory difficulties after brain injury do not all look the same.
We separate them into three types: memories from before the injury, new memories created after the injury and remembering to do everyday things. The way the memories are stored will be relevant when understanding how we can access them later.
From before the injury
Retrograde amnesia involves losing memories from before the injury. Someone may not remember:
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- The accident itself.
- The days or weeks leading up to it.
- Certain events from childhood or earlier life.
For most people, the period of lost memories before the injury is relatively short, although it can vary considerably.
New memories after the injury
Anterograde amnesia means having difficulty creating new memories after the injury. Someone may:
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- Forget a conversation that happened an hour ago.
- Need information repeated several times.
- Struggle to remember new names or appointments.
This type of memory difficulty often has the biggest impact on day-to-day life.
Remembering to remember
Prospective memory is the ability to remember to do things, sometimes called “remember to remember”.
It involves remembering to carry out intended actions in the future, such as:
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- Taking medication.
- Attending appointments.
- Returning a phone call.
- Turning off the oven.
Memory problems are often worse immediately after the injury
In the early days following an injury, the brain is dealing with enormous changes and is working incredibly hard to recover. It releases large amounts of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that allow brain cells to communicate with one another.
There is so much happening that it can struggle to make sense of new information or turn experiences into memories. As Lucy, one of our clients, told us when she shared her story:
“I dealt with post-traumatic amnesia for almost a year, so that extended period with awful memory problems and confusion was really difficult. My largest issues have been memory and fatigue problems. Initially, my memory would reset every minute.”
This is why many people describe the early period after their injury as a “void” or “blank space”. The memories were not erased; they were never stored properly in the first place.
Why childhood memories are often better remembered than what happened yesterday
Long-term memories often remain intact because they are stored differently in the brain from newer ones. Also, they have had years to settle into the brain. New memories are much more fragile now.
As Andy shared when reflecting on his experience:
“My memory (immediate and short-term) was considerably affected. Names, faces, dates, details etc. Interestingly, pre-diagnosis memory seems to be much better.”
One of our Neuro-Psychologists, who offers approaches to support emotional changes through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dr. Katie Bebb, helps us to understand this scenario:
“Think of your long-term memories (childhood, skills, old facts) like books that have been firmly shelved in a library that has been built over years. They are catalogued and secure.
When you suffer a brain injury, the construction site of the brain is disrupted. The ‘new books’ (yesterday’s events) haven’t made it onto the shelves yet; they are just sitting on a trolley in the middle of a busy building site.
If the lights go out or the machinery stops (the injury), those new books never get filed. The old books remain safe on the shelf because they were stored securely before the accident.”
That’s why people can remember their wedding day from twenty years ago perfectly, but not what they had for breakfast this morning. The “filing” process for today’s breakfast simply didn’t happen.
What can help with memory problems after brain trauma
Although memory difficulties can continue for months or years after a brain injury, there are strategies that can make everyday life easier and help people regain confidence.
Through supporting people living with brain injury for nearly 40 years and discussing with many clients and healthcare professionals during this time, we created a framework called A Guide to Life After Brain Injury. This is a material with practical steps that help people find ways to adapt and build confidence again.
Dr. Katie shares the three main strategies:
Externalise your memory: create a “second brain”
Since the internal filing bookshelf is unavailable, we must build an external one. Don’t rely on “I’ll remember this later.”
Use a whiteboard on the fridge for daily tasks, set alarms on your phone for medication and keep a dedicated notebook or voice recorder for conversations.
Treat these tools not as a crutch, but as essential extensions of your brain.
Turn on the autopilot by following a routine
Every time you do something different, your brain has to work hard to figure out the “script.” By keeping mornings, meals and routines consistent, you reduce the cognitive load.
If you always leave your keys in the same bowl, you don’t need to remember where you put them; you just follow the habit.
Opt for single-tasking and take care of your pacing
A tired brain can’t form memories. Multitasking scrambles the intake of information.
Break tasks down into tiny steps and focus on one thing at a time. If you are fatigued, stop.
Pushing through fatigue usually results in zero retention, leading to frustration for everyone involved.
Does memory come back after brain injury?
For some people, memory improves over time. For others, some difficulties remain.
There is no way to predict exactly what recovery will look like, which can be incredibly frustrating.
But many people find ways to adapt and build confidence again. Dr. Katie’s approach aims to balance hope with reality when talking to clients:
“We tell them that while some gaps may remain permanent, the brain is incredibly plastic. Even if the raw data isn’t coming back, the ability to function can improve dramatically.
We shift the goal from ‘getting my old memory back exactly as it was’ to ‘building a new, effective way of living.’
Many people find that with the right support systems, their confidence returns even if their memory doesn’t.”
Recovery is rarely a straight line up; it is more like a winding path with good days and bad days. Typically, remembering how to do things and older, well-established memories tend to return sooner and most fully.
Memories of personal events and remembering to do things often take much longer and may require lifelong strategies.
If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss after brain trauma remember that help is available. Get in touch with us for a free assessment.
Frequently asked questions about memory loss after brain trauma
Can brain trauma cause permanent memory loss?
Yes. Some people experience long-term or permanent memory difficulties after brain injury, particularly if the areas of the brain involved in memory have been significantly damaged. However, many people also see improvements over time and learn strategies that help them manage day-to-day challenges.
Why does someone remember events from years ago but not what happened yesterday?
Older memories are often stored differently and are more deeply embedded in the brain. New memories are usually more vulnerable to disruption after a brain injury.
What is post-traumatic amnesia and how long does it last?
Post-traumatic amnesia is a period of confusion and memory disruption after a brain injury. It can last from minutes to several months and is often used as one measure of injury severity.
Do brain-training apps help with memory loss after brain injury?
Brain-training apps may be enjoyable and mentally stimulating, but there is limited evidence that they restore lost memory function. Practical strategies and rehabilitation approaches are generally considered more helpful.
Can stress make memory problems worse after a brain injury?
Yes. Fatigue, stress and anxiety can all make memory difficulties feel worse. Many people find that their memory works better when they are well-rested and less overwhelmed.
Read stories after brain injury
Discover Andy’s journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, Len and Sue’s story supporting a partner after brain injury and Lucy’s story navigating work and social life.
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