[annmaria]

Hi all

I am pretty new here so asking lots of questions. When I have been manic my memory is terrible. I forget so much, some does unfortunately come back to me (flashbacks), rather not remember them.

Wondering why this happens, as it can also be distressing when others are talking about stuff the I can't recall. A lot can be just general things but I have no recollection.

I also notice day to day that my memory is very poor again wondering is this another symptom of bipolar. I am 45yrs old I know memory can be an issue with age. But what I am experiencing seems different and as I said is distressing.

Thanks in advance.

Ann

[lilypup]

My memory gets frustrating...but my husband and friends say the same thing about their memories and they don't have bipolar.
I think it is best that I have few manic memories. The ones I remember bring me shame and embarrassment.

[Row Jimmy]

My memory was sharp before diagnosis and now it's in and out. I think a lot of it has to do with medication. I used to take Depakote and I would forget a lot of stuff. Now I take lithium and my memory is better but not completely solid.

A lot of people believe that memory is better under manic conditions because people believe they function better. I think there's some truth to that and would describe it as being "sharp" because I felt the same way. I was on my game. Now I'd call myself more "mellow" but still sharp enough to get it done.

But BP is give and take.........being manic certainly has a bunch of downside.

[Bipolarchic14]

I am in my thirties can't remember anything! People talk about concerts weekend trips that I don't recall doing.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Are you taking any BP meds right now? That could have a huge effect on memories.

In my case, I blame meds and alcohol. I quit drinking regularly in May 2015 and I bring up convos now and my bf will say "you seriously don't remember talking to me about this?!" Chances are it was a convo we had in my "dark days".

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i'm not sure where to start with talking about my memory.

it used to be brilliant, and i could remember everything.

but ever since the diagnoses.. well.

i don't even remember my fave shows or movies- rather, i know what they are of course, i just don't remember watching them

i love the lion king, and i used to watch it and come away remembering everything that happened

now it's, did i?. have i watched it yet today? (and that's ashame, it's my fave movie)

as for stuff i'm told, it's the same

i used to be good at remembering it all, but now.. i have notes scattered about the place- with anything from 1 word to a whole sentence on it. it's terrible and a real shame.

i usually have a time frame of about 30 seconds to write down what i need to or it's gone

[Crazy Hitch]

My memory is shocking to non existent when I'm severely manic, to the point of waking up in the morning and being clueless as to what day of the week it is

[BastetsMuse]

Memory is a funny thing.... my memory was always sharp, to the point where people could bet on my remembering things word-for-word. Then came Depakote and a memory loss.... but I got off that drug and things improved. I'm in my 50s now and I don't think my memory is bad at all.

[gina_re]

My memory is some crap.
I think the more meds I am on, the higher the doses, the worse it gets.
I can't remember who told me what.
I can't remember who I told what story to.
I walk into rooms all the time not remembering why. And I mean all the time.
I can't remember certain purchases or why I bought certain things.
Yea, my memory sux.

[lilypup]

Originally Posted by shattered sanity

i'm not sure where to start with talking about my memory.

it used to be brilliant, and i could remember everything.

but ever since the diagnoses.. well.

i don't even remember my fave shows or movies- rather, i know what they are of course, i just don't remember watching them

i love the lion king, and i used to watch it and come away remembering everything that happened

now it's, did i?. have i watched it yet today? (and that's ashame, it's my fave movie)

as for stuff i'm told, it's the same

i used to be good at remembering it all, but now.. i have notes scattered about the place- with anything from 1 word to a whole sentence on it. it's terrible and a real shame.

i usually have a time frame of about 30 seconds to write down what i need to or it's gone

OMG sanity...I have this exact problem with movies. My husband will say we saw it and I have no memory of it.

[RomanJames2014]

When manic, I have a very very very good memory. When it comes to being depressed, I just remember being depressed. i dont always remember the same descriptions as when I am manic.

[zepchic]

Originally Posted by gina_re

My memory is some crap.
I think the more meds I am on, the higher the doses, the worse it gets.
I can't remember who told me what.
I can't remember who I told what story to.
I walk into rooms all the time not remembering why. And I mean all the time.
I can't remember certain purchases or why I bought certain things.
Yea, my memory sux.

This is exactly how I feel. I know benzo use can affect memory too.