#6 Becoming Amnesiac

Yesterday, I met a patient in his 20s who is being referred to the neuropsychiatry clinic. He has dementia due to intracranial bleed (bleeding inside skull) from a hit-and-run. His friend mentioned that after he woke up from a 2-week coma, he failed to remember anyone, even his own name. His memory sort of improved after 2 years. He can't remember recent things. When asked about his birthdate, he just stared at the psychiatrist with a blank face for a long time, and took out his wallet to search for his IC card. Then he said his birthdate out loud. Imagine you, being around his age or younger, can't even remember your own birthday. He was supposed to have a long way to go in his life, but being cut short because of a sudden accident. It is really sad for me to witness a guy who is just a year older, can't even remember essential things in his life. I was taken aback at how a young man who can only live a "half-life" now. I kept on reflecting how lucky I am to be able to remember all the things that happened in my life, and to live as a whole, unlike him who live with only pieces of his life.

#psychiatry #amnesia