Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeCharmer
Hi, heroreco, there are many reasons for memory problems, lack of focus and poor concentration.
For example, my first question would be if you're taking any medication, even OTC. People aren't surprised to learn that drugs taken for mental health issues can cause memory problems, but they're very surprised to discover that meds taken for things like cholesterol, urinary incontinence, allergies, and insomnia can cause serious memory problems. So bad, in fact, that it can mimic senility.
Of course, recreational drugs and alcohol can do the same.
Stress can also strain the memory because it causes the natural body chemical cortisol to be released. We need cortisol to function, but too much can actually prevent memories from being stored properly in the brain.
Sleep problems can do the same thing.
Head injuries can cause memory problems and not necessarily big coma inducing injuries, but a couple small knocks on the head causing small concussions can cause problems.
Even if we're having serious memory problems, we can remember certain things by putting purposeful concentration into remembering it. We focus on it and purposely store it as a memory. But it's really hard to do that with everything all the time.
What I'm saying is that it really can be a medical problem, just not an obvious one. Maybe it's time to make an appointment with your primary care provider to get this checked out. It could be a simple problem to solve.
I have a very good friend who is 78 years old, has always been sharp as a tack. A while back she told me she knew she was getting dementia. She couldn't remember a thing. She kept calling me Honey because she couldn't remember my name. She would get lost going to the grocery store. Turns out it was a medication she was taking for about six months. It was a rare side effect that took some time to build up. When her doc took her off it, her memory came back within one week.
Your doctor is the first place to start.
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Thank you for your comment. This has been occurring for over a year now, or way longer if I dare say so. But no other physical symptoms of any illness have been apparent on my body so far, at least, no obvious and/or aching signs that are in danger of escalating soon. I've made a blood test a while ago, and nothing of interest has been found there either, so my small knowledge of education says it must be a psychological issue? Still, it's gone far enough that I already decided I need a new appointment with my doctor. That will be handled.
I don't take any medication, nor have I had concerning head injuries of any kind. I don't excessively consume alcohol products. Which sums this up to the only possibility left on your list being.. stress? I can't grasp my mind around the idea that simply /stress/ can play a major factor of such a problem, but I desist. I live in an environment filled with stressed people, and they seem to do just fine in the memory department. I also have difficulties paying attention to simple things that I'm not interested in, such as with focus. I hope a visit from my doctor will suffice in this situation.
I /can/ keep things in my head if I repeat it long enough or dub it important enough to keep in mind. Usually, like while writing this, I will have a split second idea and say to myself "I'll write that down too, later", and forget what it was if I don't think too hard enough about it or immediately after. If I wanted to do something, but forgot what, I'd have to revise my entire train of thought again to (hopefully) remember what is was. It's concerning, but nothing where I'd say "I can't keep living properly with this problem". It's simply where, if I don't pay enough attention, it might become emotionally harmful to the people around me who ask me for long-term favors, and that's all there is. Thing is, I don't completely forget something. Everything, absolutely everything is and will be in the back of my mind, begging to be seen. I don't literally forget. It's just.. sort of difficult to summon a memory sometimes, as if my brain forgot how to retain memories properly so that I can get them back like a storage. It's hard to explain.
I thank you for your comment once more.