retrograde amnesia psychology definition

Understanding Retrograde Amnesia: A Key Concept in Psychology

Retrograde amnesia, a type of psychogenic amnesia, refers to the sudden and profound loss of autobiographical memories resulting from a traumatic or stressful event. This psychological phenomenon has been extensively studied since its first reported cases in 1935 by Abeles and Schilder. The key characteristic of retrograde amnesia is the inability to recall personal information, often related to a specific incident or period in one's life.

In most cases, individuals experiencing psychogenic amnesia exhibit a global-transient type of memory loss, characterized by sudden gaps in their autobiographical memories that can last for several hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. This disruption in personal identity and memory often accompanies a period of wandering or disorientation. The severity and duration of retrograde amnesia vary widely across cases, making it challenging to establish specific neuropsychological criteria.

Research has shown that psychogenic amnesia is distinct from organic amnesia, which is caused by structural brain damage. Psychogenic amnesia is believed to result from a non-organic cause, such as psychological stress or trauma, rather than physical brain damage. The atypical clinical presentation of psychogenic amnesia includes profound difficulties in remembering personal information about oneself, leading to a lack of conscious self-knowledge.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), dissociative amnesia is now categorized under dissociative disorders, characterized by retrospectively reported memory gaps. This condition was previously known as psychogenic amnesia or dissociative fugue, which referred to sudden episodes of retrograde episodic memory loss lasting from hours to years or decades.

In summary, retrograde amnesia is a complex and controversial psychological phenomenon that highlights the intricate relationship between memories, identity, and trauma. Further research is needed to fully understand the neuropsychological mechanisms underlying this condition and its implications for our understanding of human memory and consciousness.

Retrograde amnesia psychology definition