Bipolar Disorder and Memory: Understanding Forgetfulness & Cognitive Effects

Bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by erratic mood swings, can disrupt concentration and memory. The degree of memory impairment suffered depends on which mood an individual is experiencing. Bipolar forgetfulness is not only inconvenient, but can have real professional consequences.

Cognition

• People with bipolar disorder may experience memory impairment as a result of difficulty storing and retrieving verbal information (facts, names, etc.) in the brain, according to the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychology.

Depression

• The National Institute of Mental Health explains that bipolar individuals may experience memory impairment during depressive episodes.

Euthymia

• According to Bipolar Disorders, a psychiatric and neuroscientific journal, bipolar forgetfulness may persist even when individuals experience euthymia, a period with neither manic nor depressive symptoms.

Hypomania

• Memory, a journal of memory and amnesia research, reports episodes of hypomania (mild to moderately elevated mood) in bipolar disorder are associated with improved recollection of personal information.

Professional Goals

• Bipolar people who have trouble with concentration and memory are less likely to reach professional goals, according to The Journal of Affective Disorders.