Does Depression Cause Memory Loss?
Health ConditionsMental Health ConditionsDepression

Why Memory Loss Happens in Major Depressive Disorder — and 4 Ways to Manage It

Why Memory Loss Happens in Major Depressive Disorder — and 4 Ways to Manage It
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Updated on November 13, 2025
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Memory problems are a common and frustrating potential symptom of depression, a condition that affects about 21 million Americans.

“Memory issues and cognitive problems can make everyday functioning harder,” says James C. Jackson, PsyD, director of behavioral health in the ICU Recovery Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you’re struggling with memory issues due to depression, know that there are steps you can take to address it and lessen its impact on your life.

What Causes Memory Loss in Major Depressive Disorder?

Some people with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience memory issues, because MDD can lead to changes in parts of the brain such as the hippocampus, says Dr. Jackson.

This particular part of the brain, which plays an important role in memory, learning, and regulating emotions, contains a type of nervous tissue called gray matter. MDD can cause neural damage that changes the gray matter volume in the brain, leading to potential memory complications.

For people who aren’t currently experiencing depression, the hippocampus gains hundreds of new neurons, or nerve cells, each day, according to Aron Tendler, MD, a psychiatrist and the chief medical officer of BrainsWay, a manufacturer of transcranial magnetic stimulation devices for conditions such as MDD. But because of an abnormal immune response in the brain called neuroinflammation, people with MDD may have a disruption in the growth and development of new brain cells. This disruption can cause memory impairment.

In addition, memory issues in people with depression are often linked to problems with attention and concentration, says Jackson, which are also common symptoms of depression. Because of these attention and concentration difficulties, sometimes information doesn’t get stored properly in the brain as a memory, he explains.

If someone with depression also has sleep problems, that can also affect the ability of the hippocampus to process and store memories, says Avigail Lev, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in San Francisco. “During REM sleep, the hippocampus processes information and moves it from short-term memory to long-term memory.” Sleep problems (another potential symptom of depression) can interfere with the brain’s ability to store long-term memories, she says.

There’s also some evidence that antipsychotic medications, benzodiazepines, and some antidepressants may contribute to cognitive or memory issues, says Jackson.

  For instance, a study showed that anticholinergic medications were associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in older adults, especially in those with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Potential Consequences of Memory Loss

Memory issues can be a troubling symptom. It can be frustrating if you consistently have trouble remembering where you put things, events that happened, or things people said. And it doesn’t just affect immediate daily life. Studies have found that memory issues may linger long term among people with MDD. One study showed that problems with cognitive function, including attention, long-term memory, and working memory, can continue even after someone goes into remission from a major depressive episode.

So, if left unaddressed, memory issues can start to have a significant impact on other areas of life. For instance, some people with depression may find it challenging to make decisions about the future or long-term plans, says Dr. Lev. At work, memory issues could affect performance in ways such as missing deadlines or forgetting important parts of essential tasks. Depression can also affect working memory, which is the brain’s ability to use information without losing track of what you’re doing, she adds.

Memory issues could also lead to relationship challenges, especially because of trouble remembering important occasions, obligations, or plans, says Jackson.

And outside of the effects on the day-to-day, there’s also an increased risk of major neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related types of dementia, in people with MDD.

These issues tend to happen over long periods of time, which is why early treatment is so important.

4 Steps People With Depression Can Take to Manage Memory Loss

The good news is that there are steps you can take to manage memory problems associated with MDD and how much they affect your life. These four tips can help:

1. Stick to Depression Treatment

A good first step is to talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. If you have depression and are already being treated for it, be sure to stick with treatment. Addressing the root cause of the memory issues — depression — can help lessen the impact, says Jackson.

If you suspect you have depression, your provider can help you get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The most common treatments for depression are psychotherapy and medication. If you’re already in treatment for depression, you might want to discuss whether the current treatment is helping you or if additional therapies could help ease symptoms.

If you’re older and concerned about memory loss or cognitive problems, Jackson recommends getting evaluated by a neuropsychologist, who can determine the core cause of the memory issues. They especially warrant attention in adults over 65, because older age and depression are both linked to a higher risk of memory-related conditions such as dementia.

2. Exercise Regularly

Regularly getting exercise can improve depression, which may help lessen symptoms such as memory and cognitive issues, says Jackson. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cognitive decline in general.

 Research also suggests that exercise — especially intense walking, jogging, or yoga — is an effective supplementary treatment for depression.

3. Find Ways to Ease Stress

Along with depression, chronic stress can contribute to memory issues, says Dr. Tendler. One review showed how stress can alter memory, affecting memory formation and retrieval, among other functions.

Certain stress-management techniques, such as meditation and mindfulness (trying to stay focused on the present moment, rather than the past or future), can help ease stress. This, in turn, could help improve memory issues over time, says Lev. Other tried-and-true ways to cut down on stress if you have depression include eating a nutritious diet, exercising, getting enough sleep each night, and eliminating (or at least limiting) alcohol and drugs.

4. Try to Steer Clear of Alcohol and Recreational Drugs

Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with mental health conditions such as depression. Approximately one-third of people with MDD also have a substance use disorder.

Alcohol and drugs may feel like they offer relief in the moment, but using these substances can ultimately cause more issues in the long term. Research shows excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect cognitive health and cause sleep problems.

 What’s more, alcohol can increase the risk of depression and make depressive symptoms worse. According to Clearview Treatment Programs, alcohol can intensify and prolong certain symptoms of depression, including memory and concentration issues. That’s why staying away from alcohol and recreational drugs may be your best bet.

The Takeaway

  • Memory issues can occur due to depression, but there are steps you can take to address it and lessen its effect on your life.
  • Major depressive disorder can alter the brain in the hippocampus, where memories are stored. Depression affects sleep and creates stress, which can also have an impact on memory.
  • Memory deficits that result from depression can affect day-to-day function and linger long term.
  • Treatment, exercise, stress management, and avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs are ways you can ease the symptoms of depression and its effect on memory.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  4. Wu A et al. Neuroinflammation, Memory, and Depression: New Approaches to Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Journal of Neuroinflammation. November 27, 2023.
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  6. Allott K et al. Advancing Understanding of the Mechanisms of Antipsychotic-Associated Cognitive Impairment to Minimise Harm: A Call to Action. Molecular Psychiatry. August 2024.
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  8. Semkovska M et al. Cognitive Function Following a Major Depressive Episode: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry. October 2019.
  9. Rhee TG et al. Neuropsychological Assessments of Cognitive Impairment in Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Meta-Regression. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. February 2024.
  10. Dementia. World Health Organization. March 31, 2025.
  11. Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 13, 2025.
  12. Noetel M et al. Effect of Exercise for Depression: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. BMJ. February 14, 2024.
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Lee S. Cohen, MD, is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, maintains a clinical practice focused on expert and complex diagnostics, and is considered an international expert in clinical psychopharmacology. He is also the director of the Clinical Neuroscience Center, involved in innovative development and discovery of new compounds for neuropsychiatric conditions and directly consults with multiple pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

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