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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Depression Medications and Loss of Memory
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Depression Medications and Loss of Memory
by Iris, Jan 23, 2001 12:00AM
In 1998 my husband was diagnosed with Major Depression. Although he is getting better, he is experiencing various degrees of memory loss.
Approximately 1 year after being placed on medication, we read an article that indicated he should be taking a Vitamin B12 complex and Magnesium to assist the body in retaining vital vitamins that are not absorbed through food intake. The article stated that anti-depressants prevented the absorption of these vitamins by the body.
He has been taking the vitamins, but the memory loss is still happening. This past Sunday, we heard a Doctor on a radio program touch briefly on this issue. The Doctor also indicated there was a test that could be taken to gauge the severity of the loss and to determine if it was reversible. To this end, we have an appointment with his Doctor next week.
I was wondering if you could shed some further light on this situation that we could present to the Doctor.
Thank-you for your assistance
Approximately 1 year after being placed on medication, we read an article that indicated he should be taking a Vitamin B12 complex and Magnesium to assist the body in retaining vital vitamins that are not absorbed through food intake. The article stated that anti-depressants prevented the absorption of these vitamins by the body.
He has been taking the vitamins, but the memory loss is still happening. This past Sunday, we heard a Doctor on a radio program touch briefly on this issue. The Doctor also indicated there was a test that could be taken to gauge the severity of the loss and to determine if it was reversible. To this end, we have an appointment with his Doctor next week.
I was wondering if you could shed some further light on this situation that we could present to the Doctor.
Thank-you for your assistance
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 25, 2001 12:00AM
, Jan 25, 2001 12:00AM
Most of my colleagues do not see a strong connection between vitamins and memory in depression. You might ask your doctor about Aricept which has been used to treat memory loss with depression.
Member Comments (1)
by Cathy, Jan 26, 2001 12:00AM
You may want to check into Wilson's Syndrome (www.wilsonssyndrome.com) and whether your husband needs to be treated differently than for Depression. I recently was diagnosed with WS, after the anti-depressants I took for 3 months did not improve my decreased memory, among other symptoms. This is a relatively new approach which many doctors are not yet aware of, which is why most doctors don't see the correlation. Best of luck to you.
by Jennie, Mar 15, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cathy
I have been taking Serzone for about two years now, and I am noticing a significant memory loss (mostly short term). I know that memory loss is a rare side effect of the drug, but I am a pharmacist and I really do believe it is causing my problems.
