[Wolf_Tracks]

Just how normal is having a very poor memory at around 30 years old?
I have very real trouble with my memory. It doesn't seem to matter if I am stressed or concentrating. It is terrible. I am seriously worried about it. I work in an animal rescue centre and I am becoming a liability. I forget if there is fresh litter or food available. The worse ones are when I am heading to the manager to tell her there is something wrong with one of the animals and they need either to see a vet or to be kept close watch on, I get there only to stand around trying to remember what the hell I came to tell her then babble some rubbish walk off and at some point I remember then I have to ring her there and then.
I remember nothing of my childhood, teenage years and would greatly struggle to tell you what I had done on my major birthday's... actually thinking about it I genuinely don't recall. My whole life is a foggy haze. I honestly recall nothing clearly. I even tried to write things down as I needed only, I know this sounds funny but, I forgot to write them! *sigh* I don't know what to do. I have conversations with people which I immediately forget. Does anyone else have a terrible memory like this? I went to a doctor about sometime ago but she claimed it was my mental health. I don't think this is. It is getting worse. But my mental health is 99% better than it was. I am not on any medication.

It is not normal but i know a lot of people have these symptoms when stress is involved. I would talk to your pcp and a counselor. Then i would ask for an MRI to scan your brain to see if there is something there that you could take meds for. It will all work out... tc

[possum220]

What you are experiencing is not normal. For a doctor to dismiss it as being purely a mental health issue without doing some form of testing is irresponsible. It may be from a physical cause or mental or mental issue or both. Cognitive abilities may also play their part.

Stress alone can knock a person's memory for a loop. Recently I moved house and my memory was bad to the point where I was so worried about it that I mention it to my P'doc and he did a quick test to see if I was experiencing dementia. When the stress of moving settled, and I got used to my new place, my memory picked up but it is still a bit of a sieve at times even now.

It really couldn't hurt to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Originally Posted by Wolf_Tracks

Just how normal is having a very poor memory at around 30 years old?
I have very real trouble with my memory. It doesn't seem to matter if I am stressed or concentrating. It is terrible. I am seriously worried about it. I work in an animal rescue centre and I am becoming a liability. I forget if there is fresh litter or food available. The worse ones are when I am heading to the manager to tell her there is something wrong with one of the animals and they need either to see a vet or to be kept close watch on, I get there only to stand around trying to remember what the hell I came to tell her then babble some rubbish walk off and at some point I remember then I have to ring her there and then.
I remember nothing of my childhood, teenage years and would greatly struggle to tell you what I had done on my major birthday's... actually thinking about it I genuinely don't recall. My whole life is a foggy haze. I honestly recall nothing clearly. I even tried to write things down as I needed only, I know this sounds funny but, I forgot to write them! *sigh* I don't know what to do. I have conversations with people which I immediately forget. Does anyone else have a terrible memory like this? I went to a doctor about sometime ago but she claimed it was my mental health. I don't think this is. It is getting worse. But my mental health is 99% better than it was. I am not on any medication.

my memory's not so good now

used to be brilliant before all the mental health stuff (used to be able to remember numbers, addresses, names)

now i need to write everything down in the space of 1 minit or it's forgotten

[88Butterfly88]

Personally I'd see a doctor.

[-jimi-]

In the past, did your every day type memory work better? Were u used to recall your past better?

[Lunella]

I used to suffer with this really badly, my GP suggested I start doing memory games - memory cards, memory boardgames and such. I actually got the Nintendo DS for the memory game it has. Training your memory seriously helps. I suppose it's like anything on the body - if you don't use it then it'll get weak.

Of course, like everyone else said you probably should go get an MRI scan just in case because early onset dementia is a thing. Luckily for me I was just really bad at remembering stuff but now I am far better, not perfect but I function and that's what is important.

If you're struggling with stuff in a job though - I would suggest set alarms on your phone for various things that need doing, write stuff down as well, I normally write important stuff on my hand.

[Rose76]

There are memory problems that come with aging that, in some people, start earlier than in others. But that sort of memory loss is usually attended by other signs of cognitive decline. My boyfriend is 18 years older than I am and starting to have mild memory loss. But he shows some loss of mental functioning across the board. He can't add up a column of figures on paper. He mixes up his daughters' names. He's less imaginative than he used to be.

Your post, at the top of this thread, is very well written. It is well organized, articulate and focused on the point you are making. Grammer and spelling are fine, as is punctuation and spacing of sentences. You don't strike me as having any cognitive deficit. So my guess would be the same as your doctor's. Mental health issues, such as depression, apathy, dissassociation and anxiety can absolutely produce exactly the kind of problem you are describing.

We hear about dissociation in people with multipersonality disorders. Most people who dissociate do so in a far less dramatic manner. It can seem like just a persistant lack of focus and attentiveness. I've struggled with it myself a lot, and I'm sure it's related to my long history if depression and anxiety. It's there however, even when I think I feel fine. I spend a lot of time wandering around parking lots, looking for my car.

There is formal testing that you can get to assess your problem. Your doctor hasn't recommended that because he is not seeing other signs of real cognitive deterioration.

I've seen other people with the very same problem. It can be awfully hard to cope with, even when a person is sure they are trying their very best to be on the ball.

When life has been unsatisfying, the mind has a way of checking out. It can be totally beyond your control. I come up with little strategies to try and compensate for my forgetfulness. Making notes to myself helps. In the end, though, I got on disability partly because I was failing on jobs due to memory problems.

Look at other aspects of your mental functioning. Are you able to drive a car competently, through heavy traffic? If so, then the problem probably isn't rooted in some true loss of normal memory. Your mind, for whatever reasons, may be disassociating from your environment. It sounds like that was happening way back during your teenage years. That could explain you not having a lot of content in your memory bank. You might be better at remembering ideas that engaged your attention when you were younger.

Working at an animal rescue center involves a good deal of drudgery. Ask yourself if this is really what you want to be doing. Of course, sometimes, we don't have a lot of options to choose from.

[Molinit]

Definitely see a doctor.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause memory problems.

Thyroid issues can cause fogginess or memory problems.

Other things can have memory-related issues, very simple things that can be treated and reversed.

Many MIs can affect memory; ADHD, bipolar, depression, ... etc. I would consider ADHD as a major one when it comes to working memory and concentration.

Hi Wolftracks, some excellent replies/suggestions already given - I agree it might be a good idea to get a second opinion. There are lots of things that can cause memory problems - vitamin b12 deficiency for example, which can be corrected by supplementation. Simple blood tests can identify this or rule it out. This sounds like it is having a significant effect on your life and you deserve it to be taken seriously by medics.

In the meantime, to cope with your every day problems it might be helpful to keep a small notepad with you to jot things down right away as it occurs to you so no time to forget, for example messages for your manager, when stock needs ordering - you can then tick them off as you complete each task.

I too suggest you see a doctor. I myself have these symptoms occassionally but I am on medication that is likely the source.

This could be something serious.

[fitgirl]

My anxiety has screwed up my memory so bad! It has had major effects on me, and my working life. It sucks!

[-jimi-]

OP hasn't been on in a week. Shame.

[Wolf_Tracks]

Hi sorry for the protracted reply. I want to thank everyone for replying. I'm tempted to go back to my GP and persist with it. You have all given some very good points. I don't drive but when I am out walking I tend to just walk out in front of cars without thinking.
I few people mentioned blood tests. The problem with that is I have missed so many of them already. I set reminders on my phone but it really makes no difference, I simply forget to go. I'm certain I had a good memory, I remember I could recall appointments as soon as someone said I had one even if it was weeks in front ect. Also I do mix words up or just make one up, say 'thingy' ect I know its the wrong word though but can't for the life of me figure out why.I also absolutely love working in the animal rescue centre. so desperately don't want to give that up. I may just be worrying over nothing...

[Rose76]

That's great that you do really like your job. You aren't worrying over nothing. Something is amiss, or you wouldn't feel this inadequate. It could be physical, or it could be psychological. The odds are much greater that it is a psychological issue. You could pursue this further with your doctor. You might ask your doctor to refer you for some counseling. It sounds to me like you aren't fully present to what's going on around you. That's very apt to be an anxiety issue. Just the very fact that you started this thread reveals you are dealing with anxiety. You sound like a worried person. Often that has to do with interpersonal issues.

Be open to the possibility that the cause may possibly not be physical. That doesn't mean it's your fault. It doesn't make you a worse person. It sounds like you lack confidence in yourself, and feel you are not at the top of your game. I'll bet something fairly important is missing in your life.

[avlady]

i have memory problems from head injuries.did you ever have a head injury?

[-jimi-]

I hope you manage to go for blood tests and maybe other tests. This shouldn't be brushed off. To say this is some kind of mental illness one really must rule out everything first.

[Rose76]

I don't think all psychological problems necessarily rise to the level of "mental illness." It's just not true that, if a person's mind isn't functioning perfectly, the person must be considered to have a psychiatric disability. I think we have to leave room for a grey area between between being outstandingly fit, physically or mentally, and being "diseased." You are holding down a job. You must be an asset at the animal rescue facility, or they would have let you go. But you sense that you are not "hitting on all cylinders," as the saying goes. It's healthy that you recognize that.

Your mind is not fully on the activities of your daily life, possibly because you have some important need that isn't being met. Your mind may be telling you that there is something that needs attending to, outside of the things you are currently trying to take care of. I wouldn't call that "mental illness." But it may be time to take stock of where you are at and what aspect of your life needs more attention.

Hi again Wolf Tracks, to focus specifically on the issue you have regarding appointments for blood tests, I have some suggestions below which may be helpful:

1) I notice you are in the UK, me too. Sometimes it is possible to have blood taken at a walk in clinic at your local hospital, no appointment necessary. Check if this is done in your local area, if so your GP can refer you.

2) Do you have a large calender, one that you can write daily appointments in? You may want to try if not, and display in a prominent place where you can't miss it. In my home this is the kitchen. If you get confused on days you can tick off as you go.

3) Some people find a small hand held diary to write appointments in helpful, if so get in the habit of carrying it with you - in your bag if you have one, or a pocket.

There are lots of practical things you can do to cope with memory problems so whether this is temporary or permanent do not dispair. A lot of it is developing routines.

[Gus1234U]

i used to have a great memory, was a good student, got on in life well enough... then i acquired some substantial brain damage, and lost many functions, including my short-term recall and post-trauma recall.

you didn't say if you used to have a good memory, and trust me, if you can't recall, i am not laughing~! i too finally found ways to help restore my memory. i used knitting to help me regain focus, and jigsaw and crossword puzzles for concentration. these are 2 things that really are important to storing memories, focus and concentration. i think that's why so many who have brain disorders have their memory affected.

i did find a physical therapy that has made huge improvements to my long- and short-term recall. it is called Binaural Beats. you can google it online, but the place that provides it in a therapeutic format is CenterPointe.com.

as for your post seeming to be coherent... that has nothing to do with memory,, i can write many coherent short sentences in a row and it does not improve my memory~

best wishes~
Gus

[-jimi-]

I think they said they used to have good memory. Also, part from bad memory there is distractedness and loss of words. I have all that in small scale, but I blame using benzodiazepines, cuz I really don't wanna think much of the hereditary type dementia running in my family.

But like someone said, it can be something as simple as B12 deficiency, without B12, brain cells actually start dying. I've also had worse brain functioning with low iron. I had a very short attention span and bad memory with depression but then I also had other big symptoms of depression.

I know it can be really hard going back to doctors (not just cuz you have to remember it), but because doctors sometimes are inpatient and unfriendly. :/