Schizophrenia Has Robbed Me Of My Memory?

Funny thing. I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I exhibit cognitive dysfunction in the form of what are called "ideas of reference." I am unable to work because of my disability. And yet, my memory is fairly good. Usually people with schizophrenia exhibit disturbances in their ability to recall. Thank God, my schizphrenia has not robbed me of my ability to remember my past.

The problems that people with schizophrenia experience with memory are often quite unique. These people may have problems associating an event with the details of that event. They may remember the event but cannot recall the details, such as when, where and how it occurred.

Information processing may involve information in general. When it involves the connects between words their speech becomes unintelligible. This is called "word salad". They may associate words because they sound the same and not because they have the same or related meanings or are naturally connected with one another. This results in what is referred to as "clang associations.

Backward masking dysfunction involves a person's inability to remember a preceding event. This may occur even if they have normal working memory. This is usually the result of some distraction such as hallucinations or some disturbing internal process.

Why do people with schizophrenia experience these difficulties? They are probably related to structural and functional abnormalities in their brains. Function has to do with activity and may represent reduced or increased levels of activity.

Imaging techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) reveal a loss of brain tissue in people with schizophrenia, especially in the areas of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography), an imaging technique that reveals brain tissue activity rather than structure, demonstrates abnormalities in the brains of people with schizophrenia.

The prefrontal cortex affects logical thought and verbal memory, which may affect clear and fluent speech. Aggression has also been linked to this area. Abnormally increased activity in the frontal and temporal lobes is associated with auditory hallucinations. Reduced tissue volume in the temporal lobes is related to problems in other areas of the brain that influence memory, emotions, as well as delusions and hallucinations.