Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders | Amnesia

Definition

Amnesia is a partial or total loss of memory.

Description

There are numerous causes of amnesia, including stroke, injury to the brain, surgery, alcoholism, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, a treatment for various mental disorders in which electricity is sent to the brain through electrodes).

Contrary to the popular notion of amnesia-in which a person suffers a severe blow to the head, for example, and cannot recall his or her past life and experiences-the principal symptom of amnesia is the inability...