Self perceived memory difficulties in medical students as another symptom of anxiety

Abstract

Abstract The current study investigated memory issues among medical students and explored possible causes. Methods Fifty-nine medical students (age: 25.7 ± 2,5) in their last year filled out the following instruments: Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety inventories, Insomnia Severity Index, ASSIST and Subjective Memory Complaints Scale. Results Memory complaints were found in 71%, 54% recognized that anxiety was a negative factor for their performance, 10% presented suicidal ideation, and 64% reported insomnia. The average sleep hours was 6.4 ± 1.1 hours/day. The use of drugs in the last two months was alcohol: 93%, nicotine: 32%, cannabis: 27%, hypnotics: 17%. Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression indicated that anxiety and sleep disturbances were associated with memory difficulties at the level of p Conclusions Memory complaints may represent a symptom of anxiety and are associated with insomnia.