Could This Be Stress Induced Amnesia?

[daisya]

The person was fine and communicating well for half an hour, then started repeating things and asking same questions. He knew things weren't right and said was stressed out, long journey driving which he thought caused his confusion, but still kept repeating things and couldn't remember getting to place he was at or how he got there. Wasn't under the influence of drink or drugs.

Sitting there his eyes started to flicker and head fell forward, was like that for several seconds but responded to touch and came to. Eventually he drove for home but couldn't find his way there had to call family to come to his aid. When at home the family called paramedics because he kept repeating things and couldn't remember recent events so was taken to hospital. Had scans, blood tests etc but doctors found nothing wrong though said no driving at the moment and any deterioration to go back to A & E. He now cannot recall the visit he made in the first instance, what was talked about or how he arrived there. If it had been a TIA or mini stroke would they have found it?

About a year ago he had a head injury with no further problems except recently had mentioned that the site was hot to the touch and sore. GP said could be nerve damage but nothing more done (this was a month or so ago).

I am just interested to know if the amnesia was caused by stress he was under from journey, a possible stroke though tests didn't confirm, or if head injury may have brought it on. Most importantly though is it likely that he will get his memory back?

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your comments.

[wolf63]

I can't help but can think of questions.

Age of person, prescribed medications?

My memory, recall, understanding, concentration span is bad - partly caused by a mental health problem and partly caused by the medication. I have times when I am like the person described - but at least I know why it happens.

I hope that you get a 'real' and helpful answer soon - the brain is a fantastic organ but it is very complex.

[daisya]

Yes Wolf brain is very complex isn't it wish I understood it more. His age 65 not sure of medication but nothing like this has happened before apparently and no new medication. Only happened after stressful journey and anticipation of seeing someone after many years, was wondering if combined it could have set things in motion for this to happen.

[TWR]

About a year ago he had a head injury with no further problems except recently had mentioned that the site was hot to the touch and sore. GP said could be nerve damage but nothing more done??? There is every possibility that there is Damage Daisya, I would suggest he go back to his G.P. regards Stress & Driving, I used to travel to S.Land on nights & often could not remember between Junctions where I was, but not to the extent that you mention.

[daisya]

Well I thought that TWR re the head injury but not he's obviously gone with his GP's advice. As all this care is down to his family I hope they will see GP about it but why did this happen now after a year of it happening and indeed is it a cause of the amnesia, I guess further tests would be in order. I wondered if anyone else had seen or had knowledge of this type of thing just to put ideas in.

[Sqad]

These are worrying symptoms and it would be extremely foolish for anybody to put these symptoms down to stress.
A mini stroke, does not rank highly in my thoughts.

You say that he had scans........were they MRI scans? or just C-T scans?

He will clearly be followed up by neurologists and if not a Neurological opinion would be advised.

[daisya]

At the moment sqad this is all secondhand information and I doubt I will find the full facts, so I don't know what type of scan sadly. He isn't local so can't visit to find out more so I do realise without the full information it's difficult to ascertain findings. I just wondered if this could be caused by stress rather than the head injury though I mentioned the latter because even I had the inkling that the two "could" be linked. Difficult one this.