Memory loss issue

Hello.
I've been having an issue with my memory for quite a while, like me not remembering events from 3-6+ weeks ago. I'm 17 and have only been officially diagnosed with depression and social anxiety, only showing some signs of schizophrenia. I've been asking my psychiatrist about it, but he also said that it's due to me not leaving my house, thus my brain not collecting valuable information, which may be true but he never went in depth about it. I've tried reading about memory loss online and nothing really seemed to fit what I've been experiencing.
To elaborate further on what I've been experiencing:
I lose memory of most things after a few weeks except for major things, or things I've been discussing intensively.
I have little to no memory of my childhood unless a very specific event trigger a memory ( as an example, when my father dropped his cigarette it reminded me of when i slapped a cigarette out of his hand 6 years ago).

So is this something i should be worried about?
Thank you in advance.

Hello Jeduwin: I'm sorry I cannot really comment with regard to your memory concerns. Hopefully other members, here on PC, will have some experiences they can share. However, I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

I have had memory issues since I was about your age. I still don't know what causes them. For me it is more "remembering" things that never happened. These false memories are just as real feeling as true memories. I do forget a lot too, but I can more easily deal with being absent minded.

Welcome to Psych Central. I hope you find some answers and support.

Medications have made my memory worse. BUT, I take measures to try and combat that.

Haowever, I have had a sketchy memory for as long as I know - well back into childhood. The problem is with both long and short tem recollection. The memories I do have are associated with the emotion connected to an event rather than the series of occurances themselves. More often than not, these recalled emotions are very unpleasant. Like a previous poster suggested, I sometimes get false memories too.

I agree with your doctor in that you need to do more. Like any muscle, the brain requires exercise - the more the better. This requires expanding experiences. If you are unable to get out there are still things you can do. Avoid relying on TV and social media for gaining experience. Instead read to expand your mind. I do puzzles in order to stay as sharp as I can (crossords, sudoku, logic, math, etc). Learn!

I've had memory loss for quite a while. Some of it is meds, some of it is age, some of it is from the depression I have had. There's quite a bit that can cause it.

Thank you for the tips Justafriend
I will try to do more brain exercises, I don't know if it counts but i draw, pain or write every single day. Would you say that has benefits too?

I definitely include these as excellent 'brain' activities to exercise and sharpen the mind. They get the thought process going. However, it is the attainment of new knowledge and the critical thinking of such that is what has been suggested. Ie. One can be intelligent but not smart and vice versa.

i used to have an excellent memory, no effort required. then i was 'poisoned' by inappropriate psych meds, and lost almost all memory functions for a long time. i used a therapeutic series of sound tracks, called Binaural Beats, (combining it with meditation) to help restore my brain's functions. (you can read more at CenterPointe.com).

i have recovered from many severe brain chemistry disorders, and am now "in remission" (cured) from about 6 diagnoses, including bipolar, GAD and OCD. after 8 yrs of constant use and brain function exercises, i am finally seeing my memory begin to work again. (Hallelu~!). i can't tell you how much this means to me~!

i don't know what is the root cause of your condition, but i can tell you that all memory is a function of brain chemistry~ if your brain is not producing the right chemicals, you will not remember, no matter what you do. then it is wise to get acquainted with some 'memory aids', daily reminders, journaling, etc. that is not my area of specialty (i just learned to be in the 'now' , and let go of what i could not retain).

best wishes~