Emotional memory: a connection with people with dementia

No disease is easy for those who suffer from it or for their family. And neither Alzheimer's nor dementia is an exception. These two pathologies are characterized by progressive memory loss. But it is more complex than that as there are several types of memory, such as sensory, short-term, long-term, and emotional memory. The latter is one of those that take longer to lose in diseases that involve dementia.

Contents

Emotional memory: what is it

Short-term memory vs long-term memory

Music, emotional memory, and Alzheimer's

These days have been full of emotions: Christmas, end of the year ... and now the Three Kings. They are dates that awaken us many memories and feelings. These emotions that we live always accompany us and people with dementia take time to forget them.

Emotional memory: what is it

Emotional memory, as its name suggests, is related to emotions. Our brain stores our reaction to a stimulus in the amygdala, which is the emotional center of the brain and which acts with the hippocampus, also responsible for part of memory. So every time we find ourselves in a situation similar to one we have already experienced or remember, specific feelings invade us, including physiological responses (smiling, nervousness, tension, urge to cry, cardiac activation ...).

This memory works for both positive and negative things and for both people and situations. In addition, it has a great impact on human identity.

That is why when the Magi arrive we are excited to see the illusion in children and we remember our childhood. People with dementia may not remember what Gaspar brought them when they were 6 years old or the gift they always asked for and never came, but they sure do remember the excitement of the arrival of Their Majesties and are excited to open gifts.

Memory and emotions are closely related. In fact, memories are made up of emotions, so those experiences that make us feel the most are the ones that will last longer in our memory and, consequently, those that will have the greatest weight in the construction of our personality.

Short-term memory vs long-term memory

Short-term memory loss is one of the first symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's. It should be noted, however, that having recent memory lapses does not simply have one of these diseases; There are many situations that can cause it, such as stress, chronic depression, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Short-term memory is that related to recent memories, whether they are from a few minutes or a few hours ago, such as a phone number that you just received or your last meal. In contrast, long-term memory is that related to memories of a long time; It has a greater capacity, so it is easier to remember more things from the past for longer than the present, such as the way you used to celebrate Twelfth Night when you were little.

Music, emotional memory, and Alzheimer's

Music is one of the great consolations for people with Alzheimer's or other dementia, because according to a study by the Max Planck Institute of Sciences Cognitive and Brain Human in Leipzig, the region of the brain where we store musical memories almost no is affected by these diseases. As there is less loss of neurons, it is a connection point with the person's life.

If we show a video of a Three Kings parade to a person with one of these pathologies, their body will be filled with positive emotions: they will feel the emotion of the boys and girls and they may remember the song that will be playing through the speakers.

Music has more benefits for people with dementia, such as reducing stress and agitation and improving mood. This happens because of the connection it creates with emotions.

A person with dementia or Alzheimer's progressively forgets his vital memories, but there are always things that remain there. Looking for them is positive for both the person himself like the live-in caregiver and the family. Emotions, music ... These are part of our essence. When we are calm, our brain works better. If we choose one of these moments to bring the essence of our loved one back to the light, we will create a bubble of well-being.