Sharp Memory & Depression

6 days ago By Yogi Anoop

Sharp Memory for Words and Depression: Is There a Connection?

It is true that people with a sharp memory, especially those who can grasp words and thoughts deeply, are more prone to depression. If they lack the ability to manage those words and thoughts, then the occurrence of depression in the future is inevitable. The reason for this is that the ability to store words and thoughts is increased, but if one develops a habit of accumulating them without being aware of their quality and quantity, then it is certain that depression will follow in the future.

Let us try to understand this with another example—suppose a child develops a habit of just filling his stomach with food, then his awareness of the quantity and quality of food gradually diminishes. This happens because he does not have the habit of eating for nourishment but merely for filling his stomach. Just as animals swallow food, he too seems to swallow food. When the process of swallowing continues, the brain loses long-term control over food intake, and such individuals develop the tendency of overeating. As a result, they are more likely to suffer from issues like gastric reflux.

Similarly, if one develops the habit of accumulating thoughts, then even if the quality of thoughts is good, control over their quantity is lost. At the same time, the process of absorbing and digesting thoughts almost ceases. This is where overthinking begins.

Now, let us try to understand this from another perspective. When the mind forms an image of a large object, its memory does not react strongly for a long time in the brain’s subtle network. This happens because the mind has created a large image or structure in the brain. Since this large image includes colors and forms, it becomes relatively easier to extract emotions from it. However, individuals whose minds are adept at remembering small images of words and numbers are unable to generate many emotions.

Such individuals, who retain more word-based images in their memory, exhibit neurological reactions and hormonal secretions that differ from those of normal individuals. Based on my personal experience, such individuals seem to have a higher likelihood of developing mental disorders.

It is noteworthy that people whose minds are highly adept at remembering images of words and numbers often recall not only the words and numbers but also the exact location on the page of the book where they were written. In other words, their minds retain not just the images of words but also the geographical position of those words.

According to my experience and analysis, this type of memory enhances reasoning power, but there are also individuals who get disturbed merely by the repetition of images. Such individuals experience recurring and unnecessary images in their minds, ultimately becoming victims of overthinking.

Many people come to me who exhibit this tendency, and at the same time, I have observed severe symptoms of depression in them.

Review of These Arguments

Yogi Anoop reviewed his own article a few months later. He re-examined the arguments and conducted further analysis on the topic.

1. The Relationship Between Memory and Depression

• The argument that individuals with sharp memory are more prone to depression seems quite valid. Scientific research also supports that individuals who think deeply and analytically tend to overthink, which can push them towards anxiety and depression.

• When a person accumulates words and thoughts in excessive amounts but fails to manage them effectively, it can lead to mental stress.

• If a person develops the habit of merely “filling” themselves with food without paying attention to its quantity and quality, their digestive system may suffer. Similarly, if a person keeps accumulating thoughts without digesting them, it can lead to mental imbalance.

• This argument is logical, as overthinking negatively impacts decision-making ability and emotional stability.

2. Pictorial Memory vs. Word-Based Memory

• The article argues that the memory of large images does not stay in the brain for long, whereas the memory of smaller words and numbers is deeply ingrained.

• This argument is partially correct. Research suggests that visual memory and language-based (verbal) memory function differently. Visual memory operates at a sensory level and fades relatively quickly, whereas memory associated with words and language tends to be deeper.

• It is also true that thinking based on words and numbers is more analytical, which can generate different neurological responses.

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