What does it mean that we fail memory and let’s forget the name of people?

As we age, it is natural that our cognitive functions experience some deterioration, which affects the ability to remember namesdates or details of everyday life. On some opportunities, these forgetfulness are small and passengers, such as remembering where we leave the keys, but on other occasions they can generate uncomfortable moments, how to cross with someone known and not be able to remember his name when greeting him. What is behind these memory lapses, why do they happen and when could they be a matter of concern?

It is important to keep in mind that these episodes are not limited solely to people’s names, but they can also occur with that of a street, the title of a film or even a password that we use frequently. The frustration of not being able to recover a word at the right time can generate concern and make us doubt our memory. However, These forgetfulness have scientific explanations and are part of the normal functioning of the brain, although in some cases they may be linked to other factors that are worth knowing.

The accelerated life rhythm, hyperconnectivity and information overload to which we are exposed daily They have a direct impact on our memory. Likewise, chronic stress and the amount of simultaneous stimuli hinder the concentration and retention of data, it which explains why it is increasingly common to forget names, addresses or even pending tasks. Also, lack of attention at the present moment and the tendency to divide mental energy into multiple activities generate a sense of constant dispersion.

On this, the psychoanalyst José Abadi explained long ago in dialogue with La Nacion: “Everyday forgetfulness is related to high emotional tension, a lot of agitation and dispersion. You start talking about one theme and you quickly go to another, but the mind is busy in something elsewhile you leave what needs to be done. Having so many things in the head leads to the difficulty of focusing on an idea, Because energy is put in different representations simultaneously ”. Without a doubt, this reflection highlights how the functioning of memory is influenced by the context in which we live.

Another key aspect in the difficulty to remember names is The phenomenon of anomiaa term used in neuroscience to describe The momentary disability of evoking a specific word at the right time. This situation, which usually generates frustration, can occur at any stage of life and does not necessarily indicate a serious memory problem, but rather a temporary disconnection in access to information stored in the brain.

About this, María Roca, scientific coordinator of the INECO Foundationdetailed in an article published on the entity website: “The difficulty in evocation of a word at a given time is a phenomenon known as anomia in the world of neuroscience. These types of failures appear at any stage of life. The good news is that you don’t have to be alarmed «.

For all the aforementioned, it can be said that Forgetting names, dates or details of everyday life is common and, in most cases, it does not represent a serious problem. However, when these forgetfulness begin to be more frequent, They affect daily activities or are accompanied by disorientation and confusion, it is important to pay attention to them.

Memory can be affected by multiple factors, from stress to more complex medical conditions, so, before any doubt, It is best to consult with a health professional to evaluate the situation And, if necessary, take measures on time.