Memory problems are doubling in people under 40, what’s going on?

Are you relatively young and increasingly forgetful? Do you walk into a room and forget what you went there for? Or do you remember an important appointment just 10 minutes before? You’re not alone. A recent mental health study from the University of Utah revealed a worrying increase in the number of adults reporting problems with memory, concentration, or decision-making – a condition known as cognitive impairment.

These neuroscientists analyzed data from more than 4.5 million people and discovered that over the past decade, adults aged 18 to 39 have experienced the greatest increase in terms of cognitive disability.

Specifically, the proportion of adults who reported severe cognitive difficulties increased from 5.3% to 7.4% between 2013 and 2023. However, among those under 40, that rate nearly doubled, rising from 5.1% to 9.7% during that time period, as can be seen in the graph below.

What is cognitive impairment?

Cognitive impairment goes beyond memory problems and refers to a significant limitation of higher mental functions, including attention, reasoning, comprehension, or the ability to solve problems.

Cognitive functions are what allow us to process information, learn from experience and adapt to the environment, so when they are limited, our daily life suffers: academic or work performance is reduced and we lose autonomy.

This umbrella term encompasses various disorders, such as learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and memory disorders. However, it also manifests in milder forms with signs such as:

1. Memory loss. You forget where you’ve put things, you repeat some questions, or you have trouble remembering names, dates, or recent tasks.
2. Difficulty concentrating. You get distracted easily, lose track of what you were doing or saying, or find it hard to stay focused on an activity for any length of time.
3. Problems completing tasks. You start something, but struggle to finish it. You constantly switch tasks or procrastinate on things you need to do.
4. Comprehension difficulties . You read or hear something and don’t understand it the first time; you need to review it to assimilate the information.
5. Trouble following instructions. You forget intermediate steps or confuse simple sequences, such as a recipe or a verbal instruction.
6. Difficulty solving problems. You struggle to find solutions when something unexpected happens. You freeze up or feel extremely insecure.
7. Difficulty making decisions. You feel indecisive about small choices, you doubt yourself more than usual, or you’re constantly afraid of making the wrong decision.

Other common signs of cognitive impairment include changes in mood or behavior. You may feel more unmotivated than usual, with a sense of emptiness inside.

Why have cognitive problems increased among young adults?

The researchers stated that “Social and structural factors likely play a key role” in the spread of cognitive problems, especially among young adults. Among these factors, they mentioned socioeconomic status, as people with lower incomes and less education reported more memory problems and cognitive impairment in general.

They also point out that it could be due to greater awareness of mental health and a reduction in the stigma that traditionally surrounded the topic. In other words, people feel more comfortable talking about their emotional and cognitive problems than before, so these issues are coming to light.

However, they also point to the increased cognitive load related to social, economic, and health factors. “Economic stress, job market uncertainty, and changes in work environments, such as a greater reliance on digital tools, may contribute to this trend,” the researchers emphasized.

Some factors that could be affecting our cognitive functioning, and to which we are all exposed to a greater or lesser extent, are:

• Stimulation overload. We live surrounded by information constantly: notifications, messages, videos, emails, multitasking… The brain receives more stimuli than it can process, which reduces attention and, therefore, diminishes our ability to remember.
• Overstimulated mind. Excessive stimulation leads to a mental state where it’s difficult to concentrate. We get used to jumping from one thing to another (apps, screens, tasks), and this prevents the mind from resting or delving deeply into any one activity.
• Intensive use of digital technology. Digital devices train the brain for immediacy. Constantly switching between windows, checking notifications, scrolling, or consuming information superficially leads to fragmented attention, weakens working memory, and hinders thinking.
• Chronic stress. Stress keeps the brain in “alert” mode, making it difficult to think clearly and disrupting the connection between the areas involved in memory and decision-making. In the long term, it can even lead to confusion or brain fog.
• Lack of rest and restorative sleep. Sleeping too little or poorly directly affects information processing and memory consolidation. Basically, the brain fails to “organize” the day’s information, resulting in forgetfulness and mental sluggishness.
• Accelerated internal pace. Even without external stimuli, many people live with a constant feeling of mental haste, as if they have to think or decide quickly all the time. This pace prevents ideas from settling and exhausts the capacity for reflection.

In short, if you’ve noticed that you’re more forgetful lately, finding it harder to concentrate, or that making decisions is becoming more difficult, it’s best to see a doctor to rule out any physical problems, although it’s more likely that you need to review your lifestyle because it’s probably taking its toll.

Source:

Wong, K. et. Al. (2025) Rising Cognitive Disability as a Public Health Concern Among US Adults Trends From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013–2023. Neurology; 105(8): e214226.