The Fear of Forgetting: When Memory Loss Becomes a Perceived Threat

The Fear of Forgetting: When Memory Loss Becomes a Perceived Threat A Conceptual Exploration of Memory, Anxiety, Cognitive Offloading, and Protective Adaptation Austin “Ozzie” Gontang, PhD | Version 2.1 | October 2026 The fear of forgetting may interfere with the very cognitive abilities individuals struggle to preserve. This conceptual paper examines how anxiety about memory loss, particularly among older adults concerned about dementia, may contribute to heightened self-monitoring, reduced memory confidence, avoidance, and difficulties with attention and retrieval. Drawing upon established research in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, gerontology, and clinical science, the paper distinguishes three phenomena that may coexist but should not be confused: neurodegenerative change, anxiety-related cognitive interference, and reduced memory confidence. It proposes a five-stage fear-of-forgetting cycle in which ordinary memory lapses may be interpreted as evidence of cognitive deterioration, potentially reinforcing anxiety and further interfering with cognitive performance. The paper also examines cognitive offloading through calendars, notes, and electronic reminders, distinguishing their demonstrated benefits for independence from the untested possibility that excessive substitution for independent retrieval may reduce opportunities for memory practice. The paper explores a conceptual parallel between fear of forgetting, fear of falling, and protective adaptation within the DOVE ACEs developmental organization framework (Developmental Overwhelm, Vulnerability, and Exclusion). These connections are presented as hypotheses for future investigation, not established causal relationships. Conceptual and theoretical status: This preprint presents an integrative theoretical framework, not original empirical research. The proposed fear-of-forgetting cycle and its developmental connections have not been validated as unified causal models. The paper does not claim that anxiety causes dementia, that memory aids accelerate neurodegeneration, or that reducing fear reverses neurological impairment. Its purpose is to clarify distinctions, generate testable hypotheses, and encourage further research into the relationships among perceived threat, cognitive performance, protective adaptation, and healthy aging. Keywords: Fear of forgetting; dementia worry; subjective cognitive decline; anxiety-related cognitive interference; attentional control; cognitive offloading; retrieval practice; metacognition; protective adaptation; developmental organization. License: © 2026 Austin Gontang. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.