Memory Problems: What to Do, in Order
Memory Problems: what is worth doing, what is worth avoiding, and when to stop and see a doctor.
Difficulty with recall, concentration or word-finding, from many possible causes. Several common causes are entirely treatable, which is why memory problems should be assessed rather than assumed to be dementia.
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 speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Do
- 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
Do not
- Assuming memory problems automatically mean dementia
- Ignoring them out of fear of the diagnosis
- Attributing sudden changes to ageing
The numbers behind the list
The reasoning behind both lists, in numbers.
| 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 |
If you change one thing
See a GP rather than waiting; several causes are reversible. Start there. The rest of the list keeps.
Where to go next
- Myths About Memory Problems, Checked Against the Guidance
- Memory Problems: A Beginner-Friendly Start
- Memory Problems — the reference entry
- Stroke: What Published Guidance Supports
- Migraine: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to speak to a doctor
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.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
