Memory Problems
Difficulty with recall, concentration or word-finding, from many possible causes.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Treatable causes: depression, anxiety, thyroid disease, B12 deficiency, poor sleep, medication
- Usual first tests: blood tests including thyroid and B12, plus a cognitive assessment
- Most useful single change: See a GP rather than waiting; several causes are reversible.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming memory problems automatically mean dementia.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
Several common causes are entirely treatable, which is why memory problems should be assessed rather than assumed to be dementia.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Treatable causes | depression, anxiety, thyroid disease, B12 deficiency, poor sleep, medication |
| Usual first tests | blood tests including thyroid and B12, plus a cognitive assessment |
| Sudden confusion | suggests delirium, usually from acute illness |
| Sleep apnoea | a common and reversible cause of poor concentration |
What helps
- See a GP rather than waiting; several causes are reversible
- Bring someone who knows you well to the appointment
- Bring a list of all medicines, including over-the-counter ones
- Mention alcohol intake and sleep honestly
What to avoid
- Assuming memory problems automatically mean dementia
- Ignoring them out of fear of the diagnosis
- Attributing sudden changes to ageing
Where to go next
- Memory Problems: The Quick Reference
- The Evidence on Memory Problems, Without the Hype
- Stroke: What Published Guidance Supports
- Migraine: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to get help
Seek urgent assessment for sudden confusion or a rapid change over hours or days — this usually indicates delirium from infection, dehydration or medication rather than dementia. Call 999 for confusion with fever and a stiff neck, sudden weakness on one side, difficulty speaking, or after a head injury.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.