When a doctor checks to see if a patient actually has amnesia, they will ask the patient some questions then do some tests.
Some questions include:
Some questions include:
- Can the patient remember recent events, and/or older events (events further back in time)?
- When did the memory problems start?
- How did the memory problems evolve?
- Were there any factors which may have caused the memory loss, such as a head injury, surgery, or stroke?
- Is there a family history of diseases or conditions that may relate to amnesia some how?
- Details about the patient's alcohol intake.
- Is the patient currently on any medication?
- Has the patient taken illegal drugs?
- Are the patient's symptoms undermining his/her ability to look after himself/herself or do daily activities?
- Does the patient have any history of depression?
- Has the patient ever had cancer?
- Does the patient have a history of seizures? (extraordinary changes or differences in behaviour)
After checking all that, the doctor will do a test. They will check the patient's reflexes, balance and some other parts of the brain and nervous system. The doctor might also check the patient's judgement of things, short-term memory and long-term memory. The doctor will also do a head x-ray, blood tests and just a general examination.