Dissociative Amnesia is a disorder characterized by abnormal memory functioning in the absence of structural brain damage or a known neurobiological cause; severe cases are very rare. It is defined by the presence of retrograde amnesia or the inability to retrieve stored memories and events leading up to the onset of Amnesia and an absence of anterograde amnesia or the inability to form new long term memories. In most cases, patients lose their autobiographical memory and personal identity even though they are able to learn new information and perform everyday functions normally. Other times, there may be a loss of basic semantic knowledge and procedural skills such as reading and writing. There are two types of psychogenic amnesia, global and situation-specific.Global amnesia, also known as fugue state, refers to a sudden loss of personal identity that lasts a few hours to days. This is preceded by severe Stress and/or depressed mood. Fugue state is very rare, and usually resolves over time, often helped by Therapy. Situation-specific Amnesia is a type of Dissociative Amnesia occurs as a result of a severely stressful event, as in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dissociative Amnesia is due to psychological rather than physiological causes and can sometimes be helped by Therapy. Psychogenic amnesia is far from being completely understood and while several explanations have been proposed, none of them have been verified as the mechanism that fits all types of psychogenic amnesia. Currently, various treatments are available for patients with psychogenic amnesia although no well-controlled studies on the effectiveness of different treatments exist.

Psychoanalysis - uses dream analysis, interpretation and other psychoanalytic methods to retrieve memories; may also involve placing patients in threatening situations where they are overwhelmed with intense emotion.

Medication and relaxation techniques - in conjunction with benzodiazepines and other hypnotic medications, the patient is urged to relax and attempt to recall memories. With the help of Psychotherapy and learning their autobiographies from family members, most patients recover their memories completely. Source: http://ibobz.com/dissociative_amnesia.html- Mental Health Chatrooms and Forums - Social Support For All

== == == == Yes. Several new medications are approved for use in early dementia, and one is now also approved for use in later dementia. However, you should *always* have a thorough medical examination to determine the cause of the memory loss first. I am a esthetician I dont know about medications you can take but there is essential oils you can use that will help with memory loss In many cases memory loss is just old habits catching up to you. Also age can be a factor. Men/Women going through peri menopause or menopause can have slight memory losses which will come back in time. Stress can also cause memory loss. Before you jump the gun and try medications for this (always side effects with every medication) keep a journal (I do.) I've done it for years even when my memory was good. Take time out at the end of the evening to write notes down if you have had appointments to do with business, doctors appointments, etc. Also write down any dates you have coming up for appointments or special events. Give this 2 months and if you memory starts to improve (I think it will) you don't need medications. If you should have a disease that can cause memory loss then seek out your doctors advice. Many medications can cause slight memory loss. If you have a great deal of stress in your life try to find out how you can lessen the stress. Take each problem, break it down and try the best you can to resolve it. Take up a sport, go to the gym and work out, go swimming, or jog and relieve some of that stress. Works wonders. Good luck Marcy Answer It's a good idea to have a medical checkup, first. Check out section 41, on memory improvement, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and avoid environmental toxins, (particularly alumin(i)um & fluoride: keep cellular mobie phone use to a minimum: use landlines: avoid wireless connections & microwaves) artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, preservatives, and MSG. The diet of most Americans, and many other Western countries doesn't even provide the recommended dietary intake of several important nutrients, and deficiencies in these can lead to poor memory, among other things. A healthy diet consists of: 5 serves of vegetables, daily, including a leafy green one, such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, or silverbeet (swiss chard), and a yellow/orange one, like yams, (sweet potato) carrots, or pumpkin/squash. One of the other serves should be legumes, such as beans, peas, or lentils. A serve is 2 heaped tablespoonsful, or half a cup (125 ml). Also, at least 2, to a maximum of 5 serves of fruit: one should be orange, or grapefruit, for the NATURAL vitamin C, and bananas are high in potassium. In addition, your body needs at least 2 teaspoonsful of oil. Olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or macadamia oil, are the healthiest, but you can get some in the form of Omega 3 fish oil (certified free of mercury); it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or grapefruit, or their FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it. Also a serve of protein: meat, fish, poultry, or eggs. For calcium, some yog(h)urt, and/or cheese and/or milk, or tinned sardines, with bones. To the above, add a certain amount of wholegrain products, such as brown rice, seed and nutloaf, or sourdough rye bread, according to your body's energy needs.