I'm frighteningly forgetful

Is this normal? I can't even remember what I wanted to write here. I'm really unreliable because of this. If someone mildly asks me for a favor, I'd probably forget about it. My brain tricks me at times, because sometimes I'll remember something after only having it mentioned once, and I'd play my part in doing a favor. But, without taking any notes (sometimes even forgetting I want to take notes), I'd miss entire appointments or anniversaries or critical facts, etc. It has come to the point where I need something explained to me repeatedly, because my memory is only vague about it. It can't be a health issue, because I can remember things if I deem them important to. It's difficult to explain.. in a social setting, I'd probably repeat something in my head due to nervousness, and therefore not forget. However, someone might mention something and I'd just forget. I remember the most uneccessary things as well. I forget important facts about my peers. I remember what video I watched yesterday. This frustrates me.

Hi, heroreco, there are many reasons for memory problems, lack of focus and poor concentration.

For example, my first question would be if you're taking any medication, even OTC. People aren't surprised to learn that drugs taken for mental health issues can cause memory problems, but they're very surprised to discover that meds taken for things like cholesterol, urinary incontinence, allergies, and insomnia can cause serious memory problems. So bad, in fact, that it can mimic senility.

Of course, recreational drugs and alcohol can do the same.

Stress can also strain the memory because it causes the natural body chemical cortisol to be released. We need cortisol to function, but too much can actually prevent memories from being stored properly in the brain.

Sleep problems can do the same thing.

Head injuries can cause memory problems and not necessarily big coma inducing injuries, but a couple small knocks on the head causing small concussions can cause problems.

Even if we're having serious memory problems, we can remember certain things by putting purposeful concentration into remembering it. We focus on it and purposely store it as a memory. But it's really hard to do that with everything all the time.

What I'm saying is that it really can be a medical problem, just not an obvious one. Maybe it's time to make an appointment with your primary care provider to get this checked out. It could be a simple problem to solve.

I have a very good friend who is 78 years old, has always been sharp as a tack. A while back she told me she knew she was getting dementia. She couldn't remember a thing. She kept calling me Honey because she couldn't remember my name. She would get lost going to the grocery store. Turns out it was a medication she was taking for about six months. It was a rare side effect that took some time to build up. When her doc took her off it, her memory came back within one week.

Your doctor is the first place to start.

i vote for stress and meds~! i'm the same way, we call it CRS (Can't Remember *****).... it comes from a lifetime, or more, of abuse, trauma, drugs, meds, concussions, and finally, age. the poor ol' brain needs help!

i get some relief from meditation, but lately, my stress is so high that's not even working. aaah well,, help is on the way~

wish you the best, hero~



(wait for it, slow loading pic)

Thank you for your comment. This has been occurring for over a year now, or way longer if I dare say so. But no other physical symptoms of any illness have been apparent on my body so far, at least, no obvious and/or aching signs that are in danger of escalating soon. I've made a blood test a while ago, and nothing of interest has been found there either, so my small knowledge of education says it must be a psychological issue? Still, it's gone far enough that I already decided I need a new appointment with my doctor. That will be handled.

I don't take any medication, nor have I had concerning head injuries of any kind. I don't excessively consume alcohol products. Which sums this up to the only possibility left on your list being.. stress? I can't grasp my mind around the idea that simply /stress/ can play a major factor of such a problem, but I desist. I live in an environment filled with stressed people, and they seem to do just fine in the memory department. I also have difficulties paying attention to simple things that I'm not interested in, such as with focus. I hope a visit from my doctor will suffice in this situation.

I /can/ keep things in my head if I repeat it long enough or dub it important enough to keep in mind. Usually, like while writing this, I will have a split second idea and say to myself "I'll write that down too, later", and forget what it was if I don't think too hard enough about it or immediately after. If I wanted to do something, but forgot what, I'd have to revise my entire train of thought again to (hopefully) remember what is was. It's concerning, but nothing where I'd say "I can't keep living properly with this problem". It's simply where, if I don't pay enough attention, it might become emotionally harmful to the people around me who ask me for long-term favors, and that's all there is. Thing is, I don't completely forget something. Everything, absolutely everything is and will be in the back of my mind, begging to be seen. I don't literally forget. It's just.. sort of difficult to summon a memory sometimes, as if my brain forgot how to retain memories properly so that I can get them back like a storage. It's hard to explain.

I thank you for your comment once more.

Yeah, stress seems to be the most likely factor of the list, apparently. Which I'm hesitant to agree upon, because I don't really feel as if I'm stressed at all. Maybe anxious and nervous in day to day and activities, but nothing where I can say I literally can't function properly in my life. I don't take meditation, either. So I'm a little on edge here about what's going on.

I hope your stress will lessen soon, so that your meds work again. Have a nice day.

Hello, heroreco.

Stress Management, Coping with Stress

Hero, I've read some of your other posts and it does sound as if you've got a lot going on in your life. If I was standing in your shoes, I'd start with my primary care doctor. If nothing was found in the physical exam and tests, I'd then ask for a referral to a psychologist. Some psychological problems can have the symptoms I end up calling "scatterbrained." Unable to focus, mind going all over, forgetting things we'd like to remember, life favors for a friend, someone's birthday, what time to meet, that sort of thing. Still functioning, but all over the map.

I'm always happy when my medical tests come back negative. It means I don't have a worrisome disease. But it also means I have to start looking elsewhere because I still have the problem. From things you've described in other posts, I'd say see your M.D. first and if that comes out clean, ask to see a psychologist who can test you for various psychological problems.

Even though you're still functioning in day to day life, getting this problem identified and treated could improve the quality of that functioning, making your life easier. Please think about it.

Thank you. This gave me a little insight.

Thank you for showing concern and reading several of my threads. I have already decided to visit my M.D. for a physical exam. Though I've made one not too long ago, already in the period in where I feel this way, and nothing of concern was found in my body. I agree that getting negative results feels like such a relief on my shoulders. I have a huge fear of diseases, and spend a concerning amount of days in the week contemplating the idea and getting scared. It used to be much worse when I was younger, to the degree that I'd call it a phobia, but it still lingers today. So going to the doctor is by itself a huge milestone for me. But these symptoms are going too far. It hasn't been a hindrance in my life so far, but I'd prefer to live without it. I know I have a possibility of improving my life and mental capabilities, and I want to do it.

Multiple people have already suggested a visit to a psychiatrist to me, each with different mental illnesses to go by. Depression, obsessive compulsion, self-esteem, etc. I can't have all of them, can I? It sounds impossible. Despite all this, I feel relatively.. normal.

I've had severe memory problems in the past to some of the degrees you did. I sought counseling for my stress and meds also and now my memory is so well I am hoping to finish my degree.

Start with a full work up physical, eat right and get your daily sunshine. Then try focusing on all the positives in your life. Could it be that your fear loosing your memory is causing for memory loss?
Good luck with your appointment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi heroreco!
I have the same thing. I call it youngtimers! There are some things that I struggle with more than others. Things that don't interest me are definately hard to remember and even learn. Though not one of my diagnosis I would not be surprised if I have ADD.
I struggle with other things like music groups, names of songs etc. I just excepted it is the way I am.
The hardest though is learning names especially since I have been in sales most of my adult life. My ex-wife would get mad at me for not introducing her to clients when we ran into people in public. I always have to tell her the truth. I couldn't remember their name and didn't want them to be insulted.
So don't feel alone in having memory problems you're not the only one.

What did you say

I'm happy for you. I suppose malnutrition and lack of sunlight can play a role in this. Aside from the socially demanded time I need to spend outside from Monday to Friday, I'm never voluntarily out. I barely eat two meals a day. But I'm not that hungry, and I assume I have a small stomach. I'm in a critical position that makes it difficult for me to find anything positive in my life right now. And yes, I fear memory loss. But not to a degree that it'd paradoxically cause the memory loss, I hope. There's nothing big that I'm afraid I will forget, at least. Thank you.

That's original. So your theory is that it's related to ADD? I especially have difficulties remembering birthdays, even my parent's at times. Everyone needs to repeat it every time if I forgot write it down somewhere. I think it comes off as offensive. It's hard for me to remember names, too. But only if the person simply spoke it out loud. If someone writes it down to me, I'll remember it for all eternity. So I'm sure I have an okay visual memory. But then that'd mean I have an absolutely poor echoic memory. Whoops.