When people lose the ability to memorize data, they suffer from amnesia. Amnesia also refers to the inability to recall information stored in memory. In simple terms, amnesia is memory loss. The causes of amnesia can be organic or functional. Organic causes may include brain damage due to injury or the use of specific medications, usually sedative drugs. Amnesia can be one of the symptoms of some degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Functional causes are psychological factors, such as defense mechanisms. People with amnesia also have difficulty imagining the future, because our construction of future scenarios is closely tied to our memories of experiences. Being a little forgetful is completely different from having amnesia. Amnesia refers to a large-scale loss of memories that should not have been forgotten. These can include important milestones in life, memorable events, key people in our lives, and vital facts we have been told or taught (Nordqvist, 2009). There are different types of amnesia, but the most prominent types such as anterograde, retrograde, global transient, dissociative, and traumatic affect many individuals every day. “I don't even know how long she's been gone. It's like I wake up in bed and she's not here... because she went to the bathroom or something. Somehow, I know he'll never go back to bed. If I could just...reach out and touch...his side of the bed, I'd know it's cold, but I can't. I know I can't have her back... but I don't want to wake up in the morning thinking she's still here. I lie here not knowing... how long I've been alone. So how... how do I heal? How could I heal if I can't...feel time?" (Nolan, 2000). Halfway through the article...the brain has multiple systems for storing, processing, and tapping into memory. Works Cited Baddeley , A.B. (1999).Essentials of human memory.UK: Psychology Press.Burgener, S., & Twigg, P. (2007). Dames, N. (2001). Amnesiacs: Nostalgia, Forgetfulness, and British Narrative, 1810-1870. New York: Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press.Nolan, C. (Editor). What are the causes of amnesia? Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9673.phpPiotrowski, N.A. (2010). Salem Health: Psychology and Mental Health. Pasadena: Salem Press.