In my experience stress/anxiety does have an effect on short term/working memory - it also had an effect on my speech, I would get muddled, use the wrong words. It was like being permanently on 'go slow'.

It did get better when the stress was resolved but for me it can come back and is a warning that I need to address stress issues.

It's good you have consulted a professional, memory problems need an eye keeping on them and in some cases it can be due to medical condition, for example b12 deficiency or underactive thyroid, so always good idea to consult a Dr.