Memory

My memory is so bad right now. I stuggle to remember things, apart from it being really annoying when I can't remember where I have put things (like my soup spoon :-), sometimes I can't even remember doing things that are obvious that I have done - like writing reports at work.

This is getting a little more problematic at work and I have to write notes everywhere - sometimes I can't even remember what the notes relate to though.

Does anyone else experience this and any tips or advice on improving it.

I experience it a lot... haven't found a solution

Are you on meds? Are you getting enough water, sleep and exercise? What's your cholesterol? Have you tried those brain games? How long has this been going on (if you can remember!)?

I depend on my blackberry-type device for everything, even/esp. my T appts. If he adds or changes an appt, I record it IMMEDIATELY. About the only thing I CAN remember is the teakettle or to go switch the laundry.

No meds, poor sleep, no idea about cholesterol, think I drink enough, exercise at gym once a week, rest of time just busy.

This has been going on for a while, but more noticeable the last 12-18 months (from what I can remember lol).

Yes maybe I just have to accept it - it is just so frustrating, I am sure I could be so much more productive at work and less tired if I wasn't using all my energy to try and remember stuff.

Sorry that you guys are experiencing the same - Soup

My memory isn't great either. For example I forgot about being a member of this forum!

I don't know how old you are Soup, but it could just be a case of old age.

If not then maybe a change in diet would help. Perhaps start eating more "brain foods" like oily fish and what not.

You ARE foggy - everything I mentioned (except the meds) I expected you immediately to turn into action items! Why do I have to spell everything out?! NOW do you understand why I don't have any friends?!
Of course, I really have no idea if any of that would help. Sleeping, or if sleep apnea is a problem, is a consideration. The cholesterol, I dob't want to worry you, but I would be a little concerned about clogged arteries if it is as bad as you say, if you are not aware of your chol numbers. And exercise makes you smarter, so... Sorry for the smarty pants attitude, I must have low blood sugar or something!

I have a terrible memory too, Im only 23 and my memory in bordering that of my 70 year old grandmother. I flooded my entire kitchen a few weeks ago because I forgot I was doing the dishes. I think its highly due to stress. Perhaps our minds are so exhausted that they just dont have the energy to remember things.

Stress can really do a number on your memory. I mean think about it, you are constantly preoccupied with something else, even if you aren't aware of it. It's hard to concentrate on the moment.

What I will say is that when I was recovering from a head injury a few years ago, I had a whole lot of trouble with my memory - like driving by my own house type trouble.

I did pick up a few tips along the way.

Try to keep your environment as quiet and comfortable as possible. With a distracted or wounded brain the last thing you need is another stressor. The ability of your brain selectively ignore things becomes impaired, and you process a lot that you aren't aware of. It interrupts normal formation of memory.

Write everything down, on something and never let it leave your person.

At work, make yourself and "inbox" and an "outbox".

Organize everything and maintain the discipline to keep it ordered. You might be surprised at how much easier this makes your life.

Allow yourself to forget things and try to have a sense of humor about it. This may be a phase that you just have to wait it out, there may be a medical reason, or it may just be a naturally occurring thing that happens with age.

You'll make it.

Fortunately, my injury healed and cognitively, I'm almost back to full speed - although one could argue that there is no way I would know that or not.

I started a similar thread in the BPD forum not long ago. I stopped my medication because of my memory.

Corus - may have my head in the sand but I hope 46 isn't an age where my memory can start fading, but I guess it starts somewhere. Yes the brain food / fish food - I have been told that before but of course forgot - I have some in my cupboard but forget to take it - I shall try and remember to do it, maybe keep the pot by my bed so I see if first thing in the morning.

Hankster - I did use to do brain games, sudoko, DS Lite games (was actually a member of mensa for a while and loved doing their games / challenges) - I just can't do any of them these days - my concentraton / working memory - just don't function well - my sleep is disturbed - unfortunately my CD player that I had next to my bed to play myself relaxing music has broken, so when I do wake it takes much longer for me to get back off to sleep again - I do have a lot of headaches and while it is scarey going to the doctor (only my T knows about my symptoms) I know it is what I would advise someone else to do and actually I would think them really stupid if they didn't go.

Evening - yes my life has been very full on. In the last 4 years, my now ex and I had to sell our house and I had to rehome my beloved horse and ducks, my brother was a victim of domestic violence, his ex made false allegations and got him arrested. She denied us all access to my nieces and nephews, my brother met someone else on the internet and has emigrated to the USA, my father was seriously ill and on three separate occasions we stood at the foot of his bed while the doctors said he was going to die, my aunt died, my cousin died, my grandfather died, my dog died, I got divorced, I got made redundant, had to face not having my kids with me everyday.....On top of that I work, look after my kids, maintain the house and was doing a degree - reading that back I can see that maybe I do have a lot going on in my head, so maybe it is "just" stress.

Ellie - thanks for the tips, again looking back at the chaos in my life, I think there are some things that I could try to put my mind to, that could bring me some peace / space - maybe that would help.

Flooded - thank-you for highlighting this - I will try and find your thread - I wonder if I posted on it?

Many thanks for your input - Soup

yeah, that is definitely not memory problems. Sounds more like memory overload. I'm so sorry, Soup. They used to have these stress checklists where they assigned points for life events - I think yours is off the chart. How are you still standing, is the question.

In the for what it is worth category: http://www.livestrong.com/article/28...oss-of-memory/

I wish you well, SoupDragon.

lol - yes maybe I should score myself on one of those things - I limit the time period that I look at as there is loads of stuff before that too - (like my baby being swapped by the midwife while I was in hospital - got him back thankfully, my cousin being murdered) - life just feels prety scarey for me mostly these days and actually part of my brain can also scare me so sometimes there are few places to hide.

I laugh alot which helps me get along, so I appreciate your humour hankster. But yes maybe my brain is just over loaded and that is why there is no place left for day to day memory.

Thanks for this link TheByzantine -I have long been suspicious of aspartame so this was interesting to read.

I can really relate. I have long and short term memory loss and it sucks.
Just thought i'd tell you, you are definitely not alone.

Ugh, I have just been having so much problems with this right now. I remember having my camera when I was taking photos of the helicopter that was crop dusting across the street. I remember after that, having it SOMEWHERE & thinking, wow, the batteries didn't stay charged long.....the other day, I wanted to take a photo of a beading gift I made & can't find my camera anywhere in my house.

This morning, I wanted to wear this dress & specifically bought a slip to wear with, & for the life of me, I can't find the slip anywhere. I remember trying it on after I bought it to make sure it fit.....NOWHERE. I straightened up a few things thinking that my dogs made a mess & I just piled the mess up & it might be under.....NOT!!!!! grrrrr.

Then I bought a package of sour cream chive potato chips. I remember opening the bag & only eating a few out of it, then I remember having it on my bed & eating a few more chips but not finishing the bag......I can't find the bag of potato chips anywhere in the house & I know they aren't in my truck as I took the bag of unopened chips & not the opened bag to the lunch I went to.

I bought some new clips for my hair. Somehow one fell out of my hair...you would think it would be easy to find. I only life in a few rooms of my house & never go into others....but I can't find the new clip anywhere.

I am forever loosing my keys.

I find it so much better when I take the omega 3 suppliment for my depression/anxiety & I have been slacking off & haven't taken it for a few months now....& this is where my memory is now......

I know when I was really stressed, I would search my mind for the right word when I was writing or talking & it just wouldn't be there. After taking the omega 3 consistently for 6 months+, my memory & finding the right words really improved. Know there is a correlation there somehow....& I know that stress & lack of sleep really effects memory also.

Found out that lack of sleep effects my blood pressure also. I was having a hard time sleeping & every time I would go to my pain specialist, my bloodpressure was HIGH. He commented on how bad it was & I needed to see a Dr about caring for it. That was when I decided to go back on the omega 3 & force myself to sleep....my blood pressure came down to normal.......woo hoo, I would rather have any solution than taking meds.

Sounds like time to take care of you! Relax! The just stress thing can be brutal on ones mind! Sending relaxing thoughts your way!

My memory sucks big time. Sometimes I feel like I was a whole other person when i made those memories

Yes I experience that too - sometimes I even think something in my head and don't know if it is just a thought or if it is something that actually happened.

i have put clothes in the dryer , come back later , they are still wet because i didn't turn the dryer on... i have heard of others doing that too. after a couple of shock treatments, plus getting a little older, my mind lets a lot of things slide. i am at the point where i don't care. i did open the oven to find a biscuit i cooked the morning before. But, i also baked banana bread years ago and after i took the bread out of the oven, i saw the bananas in a bowl on the counter... so.

i feel that way also. my husband and i cycled through a lot of the usa and i don't remember most of it. i can look a pictures and still don't remember.

LOL So that was just plain bread, then!

My memory started to suffer about a year ago now. My psychiatrist says it's caused by my anxiety.