[silver_queen]

I thought of this today... I do think that I'm not particularly depressed at the moment (perhaps not at all, I don't know), but I'm in university and I've found that some things I used to be good at in the past (eg in a school setting) are not as easy for me anymore. For example, I used to be very good at spelling - not just kids' stuff but pretty advanced things and unusual words. In addition to that I had a pretty wide vocabulary. But nowadays I've lost confidence in my ability to spell correctly all the time. Usually I can spell most things correctly, but gone are the days when I could be sure that I'd spell all but the most unusual words correctly. Since I'm studying foreign languages it affects my accuracy in them too, sometimes. Plus I believe my vocabulary has shrunk, in English as well as in other languages. I'm not sure if this is going to be a permanent feature of my life, or if things will improve. Has anybody else experienced similar things?

yup......sure have. don't know what to do about it either......xoxox pat

[polkadotpixie]

Yup, me too...I don't feel as intelligent as I used to and my vocabulary is definately worse than it used to be, I often can't find the word i'm looking for when i'm speaking or writing

I thought it was just me

nope...not just you. it's US.......and i HATE it.......xoxoxo

[Eva1nder]

I also have this problem and it drives me nuts.

I found my old college notebooks on short stories and assignments I wrote.

I couldn't believe that I wrote them. I said omg I was smart what happened?

I'm definately functioning at a different level now and not for the better in so many ways... that being one of them.

It's sad...I don't think in my case I will ever be the way I was nor at the level I once was.

[Anony]

I'm actually glad someone posted about this, because this is terribly affecting me as well. I have a lot of trouble remember things that happened yesterday or even today. I used to be able to spell anything, but now I have trouble spelling simple four letter words and I can never find the right words to use. I too have also forgotten many words in other languages that I have learned. I'm afraid that this may get worse and I'll eventually forget important memories. A couple of months ago I started writing a journal and I write in it as often as I can get to it, before I forget what has happened. It seems as though it might be helping a little, so I would recommend giving that a try.

[silver_queen]

Phew I'm glad I'm not alone, but I didn't realise it would be so common either

[cajun]

I have the same problem. Short term memory problems, spelling, and what I would characterize as Dyslexic. Never had the problem before. My ability to memorize is what got me through college. Couldn't do it now. Before I was diagnosed, I thought I may have a brain tumor or something that was affecting these functions. No problem at all with my long term memory. Also, My attention span is not what it once was.
You aren't alone

[therealme]

my memory has taken one hell of a battering , some days i can't remember what i had done the day before.
even simple things like what i had for lunch, turns into a mystery . this has made my writing suffer as i cant remember what poems i have posted and which ones are new.
and to finish i think tha. .................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ no it gone

[BStar]

I have been depressed for years and have noticed a decline in my mental functioning and memory over time. I can't be sure if this is because I have been self medicating with alcohol and other drugs though. One of my fears of going on antidepressants or other meds is that they might cause problems with memory but maybe they would be less damaging than how I have dealt with it so far. What do you guys think?

[Boopers]

Yes, I am the same way.

My short term memory loss, severe depression, lack of oxygen to the brain, it all took a toll. Sometimes I stare at the
post as I am typing it trying to figure out how to spell words. Sometimes they come and sometimes they don't.

Don't feel alone,
Hugs,
Boopers

[adamsgirl]

this happens to me too--i thought it was my meds

[(JD)]

Depression-related memory loss is a treatable condition.
Stress related memory loss might be permanent.
Some treatments, such as ECT for depression, can cause permanent memory loss.

I know when I am severely depressed, I can't recall many things, but do recall them once the depression lifts a bit.

TC!

[Zorah]

{{{{{_Sky}}}}}

Exactly what we would have wanted to say if we weren't atm.

[Pomegranate]

My experience, having dealt with depression for a couple of decades now is that yes, it definetly has affected my memory. Some memory loss due to stress, some due to depression itself, some to effects of suicide attempts/lack of oxygen, some maybe even due to ADD or things like that. Spelling a big problem, like others here have said, I used to be very good at spelling and had a better vocabulary.

As I say to myself, I know I have memory problems, I just can't remember exactly what they are. I forget people, I forget names, my longer term memory is better than my short term. But my memories surrounding particularly emotional events or severly depressed or stressed times in my life are worse, I think, than other times.

I get the impression that my memories - at least some of them - are in boxes and don't come out unless a certain emotion or some other kind of trigger brings them to my mind. It's frustrating and embarrassing for me.

[LadyDragus]

oh man I thought it was just me, but now I see there are many of us who have this issue..
I had no idea deperssoin could do this.. I like someone above sated I looked over some of my past storeis and thought to myself I wrote that a year ago.. ONly a year ago..
I can not focus like I used to, nor can I understand some of the books i used to love to read..

I'm so sorry we are all suffering like this

[sparkling]

Wow... I just spotted this thread... In my case it started with grammar/spelling difficulties (I've never had any problems with it before). But at the time I was learning another language very intensively (used it more often than my own) so I blamed everything on that... I started college in October (after a 1,5 year long break) and I just can't focus on anything, have trouble memorizing, remembering things, understanding and solving problems, short attention span and so on... I used to be a top student and now I can barely manage not to fail every class. I'm not on meds, don't do drugs or drink alcohol so I can't blame it on these. Now I can see I'm not the only one...

[sunrise]

I have some good news--the memory loss may not be permanent!

I have been suffering from major depression for a while but I have beaten it (at least for now). My short-term memory was terrible (embarrassingly so) and other brain functions too. I didn't realize it was due to depression. I thought it was just "getting older" or who knows what. Now that I am no longer depressed, I have regained a lot of function. I can remember things better. I can multitask better. I make connections between different topics and facts better. I am even remembering a foreign language I used to be fairly fluent in but had almost completely lost. Now the words and phrases for things in the other language come to me all the time, and I can speak relatively well. Also, my vocabulary (in English) has returned to a better state and I can help my daughter successfully with math once more. It is amazing. I now read 5-6 books simulataneously, bouncing back between them all, able to keep track of them all (like I used to before being depressed). When depressed, I was lucky if I could read one book at a time and make it all the way through, much less glean all the meaning there. I told my therapist about my gains and he says that often happens when you are no longer depressed.

Anyway, that's my story. It's just a joy to have my brain work better again. So good luck to everyone with their depression and regaining brain function.

sunny

[Zorah]

((((((((((sunrise))))))))))

We have found the same thing

[silver_queen]

It's a very positive thing you write about there, sunrise... you give me hope

[Fuzzybear]

(((((((((((((( Silver ))))))))))))))

Thanks for starting this thread..... I can relate too

[sunrise]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
silver_queen said:
It's a very positive thing you write about there, sunrise... you give me hope

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
(((((silver queen)))))

[polkadotpixie]

Its amazing that we all have this problem...I totally thought it was just me, it never even occured to me that it was the depression causing it

Now, if I could just figure out how to improve it I'd be fine. I really need this to change cause I'm getting into trouble at work for my terrible memory and concentration

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions as to how to manage it?

[sunrise]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
polkadotpixie said:Does anyone have any helpful suggestions as to how to manage it?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
I don't think there's a quick fix. As I wrote earlier, my experience was that once I beat the depression, the memory/brain function came back. So I guess my suggestion would be to try everything you can to beat depression. It's hard, I know, but keep plugging away. A good therapist can really help. Also important to me was getting enough sleep (easier said than done, I know). Good luck!

sunny

[kvinneakt]

From personal experience, memory deficits can arise from depression and from anti-depressant meds.

Depression can seriously interfere with focus and concentration. This can probably have a negative impact on memory. It does for me. I often find myself en route to do something, then arriving and having completely forgotten what I was intending to do. Or maybe it is early Alzheimer's???

Meds, for me, have caused many instances of amnesia. This was obvious in school where I had notes in my own handwriting, even written the same day, where I had not the foggiest recollection of the note's content or even having written it. My MD at that time confirmed the meds can do this.