[TALKING TRENDS] 'Youngzheimer’s'

Seo Jeong-min
The author is a senior reporter of the JoongAng Ilbo.

Forgetfulness is an inescapable topic among the middle-aged. It goes like this. “I couldn't find my phone, but I realized I was already holding it.” “I once told my friend ‘I’ll call you after I find my phone,’ while talking over the phone.” “I could not remember why I opened the fridge.” “I totally forgot what I was trying to do after I turned on my laptop.” “I washed my face with my glasses on.”

Even people in their 20s and 30s are getting forgetfulness. People call it youngzheimer’s. It’s a combination of “young” and “Alzheimer’s,” and is used to refer to young Koreans who are very forgetful.

Amnesia refers to a temporary problem in the brain’s ability to bring up restored memories due to a heavy work load. It is not classified as a serious disease medically. In this regard, youngzheimer’s is used when trying to figure out its causes and preventions, rather than being used as a name of a symptom.

Experts point to too much screen time as the main cause. As we get more reliant on digital devices, our brain’s ability to remember information gradually fades away and causes amnesia. This is why youngzheimer’s is also called “digital dementia” or “youth dementia.”

There is an easy way to prevent it — put down your smartphone. Take a walk or jog around, read newspapers or books, keep a diary, do needlework, play a musical instrument and so on. When you do such activities that can stimulate your body and brain, you can prevent youngzheimer’s. And the risk of getting dementia can be reduced by 40 percent as well.

BY SEO JEONG-MIN [meantree@joongang.co.kr]