[claire158]

I was just wondering........

Since I've been depressed/on meds I've noticed that I can't even think of the easiest words. I can get half way through a sentence and completely forget what the point of the story is or can be unable to remember the word I need to use to explain things. It can take me ages to think of it or I will have to use simplistic words to explain things. I never used to find it this hard, I feel like I'm getting thicker by the day.

So how is everyone elses memory?

[Starfish139]

claire158, on Dec 26 2007, 05:25 AM, said:

I was just wondering........

Since I've been depressed/on meds I've noticed that I can't even think of the easiest words. I can get half way through a sentence and completely forget what the point of the story is or can be unable to remember the word I need to use to explain things. It can take me ages to think of it or I will have to use simplistic words to explain things. I never used to find it this hard, I feel like I'm getting thicker by the day.

So how is everyone elses memory?

Mine is awful. Especially with these meds.I can NEVER remember the night before,or,if I go to the store for something.I always wake up asking questions.This is an everyday thing.I hate it.Kind of makes me feel a little insane.

[keren_za]

Bad. It is actualy getting worse. A total disorder and confusion. Quite embarrassing when trying to talk gibberish in class...

[MaddieLouise]

keren_za, on Dec 26 2007, 09:26 AM, said:

Bad. It is actualy getting worse. A total disorder and confusion. Quite embarrassing when trying to talk gibberish in class...

I agree with the above sentiments. I feel like I used to be as sharp as a tack and could remember anything at the snap of a finger, but that's not so much the case anymore. Of course, I don't know if it's the medications or a natural result of aging. It would be interesting to see if any studies have been done on this. This was mentioned at one of my recent doctor visits and she surmised that it was severe sleep deprivation, which can greatly affect the cognitive processes, so we are going to see if as my sleep improves (and its getting better), the memory, inability to find the right words, etc. returns to a more normal state. It's really not that bad; I just want it like it was when I was 21-ha!

[woodsy]

my memory is shameful. it used to be fantastic but im just not able to rhink of even the most simple things at the moment

[Sheepwoman]

I've got a little brain damage which affects short term memory. Often things have to be repeated until I understand what is said, but I don't process it well. I often have had problems finding the right word to say. I can think of a word but can't get it out. Long-term memory appears to be intact, but with age I forget some things. I don't sleep well which, I think, does affect cognition.

My meds have helped, but they're not perfect.
Sheepwoman

[sigma6]

Grizzly_Guy, on Dec 26 2007, 11:24 AM, said:

my memory is shameful. it used to be fantastic but im just not able to rhink of even the most simple things at the moment

I have been battling depression and severe OCD since I turned 18 (I am now 33). I used to be great in school and could remember EVERYTHING.

My memory now is gone... I can't remember things, I can't concentrate, I either lose focus or become hyperfocused. I would like to go back to school to finish my degree but hell I'd never remember the information for the tests!

[Hircon]

Depression, meds and sleep deprivation can all affect memory... And if you combine all 3 in some people, it can really hurt their memory.

I forget events the day after they happen, most of the time. Heck, I can barely remember what I had for dinner the next day.

[rayC]

Sheepwoman, on Dec 26 2007, 11:56 AM, said:

I've got a little brain damage which affects short term memory. Often things have to be repeated until I understand what is said, but I don't process it well. I often have had problems finding the right word to say. I can think of a word but can't get it out. Long-term memory appears to be intact, but with age I forget some things. I don't sleep well which, I think, does affect cognition.

My meds have helped, but they're not perfect.
Sheepwoman

How did you get 'a little brain damage'?

[maymie]

My memory isn't good at all but I think my bad memory is due to stress more than anything else. I've noticed the more stressed I get the worse my memory is.

[HollyS]

sigma6, on Dec 26 2007, 03:24 PM, said:

Grizzly_Guy, on Dec 26 2007, 11:24 AM, said:

my memory is shameful. it used to be fantastic but im just not able to rhink of even the most simple things at the moment

I have been battling depression and severe OCD since I turned 18 (I am now 33). I used to be great in school and could remember EVERYTHING.

My memory now is gone... I can't remember things, I can't concentrate, I either lose focus or become hyperfocused. I would like to go back to school to finish my degree but hell I'd never remember the information for the tests!

I'll quote yours because it is most like me.

I have the memory of an elephant. I forget nothing. I can remember conversational dialogue to about 90% accuracy, trust me point acros is not a problem.

That's part of my irritation with myself, I feel I think I remember too much.

On the other hand, I can be talking, and lately I loose my train of talk and forget names...and tat's annoying as well

[defy_gravity]

I have a horrible memory and always have. I'm on ADD medication which has helped it a little bit but not really a significant amount. I'm only 19, so I have hope of getting a better memory as I get older.

[bunkee]

My memory is crap. I often "joke" that I have early alzheimers. Or perhaps I really do...who knows. Now what was I just talking about? lol

[Trace]

My memory is quite good, but I do have the odd moments.
I found my car keys in the fridge once. Lol.

Trace

[jollyrancherisyum]

my memory is absolutely horrid. I barely remember anything from my high school days. I suppose it would have helped to have actually been to high school instead of skipping half the year and spending the other half in suspension.

[Tweed]

Experienced bad memory while going through panic attacks for a while there, especially short term memory. It passed though. Also typing words is fine but speaking is a little different. I don't forget topics or words, but rather my head is filed with words to choose from and often I find myself saying 'eeerrrm' while I choose the right word.
Probably to do with memory, my sense of direction is absurd. Literally have to travel somewhere ahead of time, in case I get lost on the day, it's that bad. But I've met many people who do this, don't think it's to do with depression.

[flippingout]

memory, whats that? how do i get one?

This post has been edited by flippingout: 29 December 2007 - 01:01 AM

[rharnie]

Memory........hm.......
well at the moment it is not too bad, but ECT killed part of it. My hubby still stirrs me from time to time about things I don't remember.
I still get really frustrated, especially when people say do you remember when you ........ and I haven't got a clue. I have lost a lot of the years before d and many of the ones after. I guess also I don't even try and remember things these days, I tend to remember faces rather than names.............. even people we have had christmas get togethers with for 10 years, I still can't remember the names.....................really annoying , for me and hubby.
I just accept it now and make myself notes when I can so that it will jog my memory some.


I think I will try some of the brain training things they have out at the moment and see if that helps.


rharnie

[susandirs]

My memory of events is pretty awful, but my memory of semantic knowledge is actually pretty good. Events such as what I did yesterday are usually a blank. When my depression was at it's worst, I really had trouble thinking in general. It was an effort to clear the fog in my head enough to form a coherent thought. With meds, things are feeling better for me now.

[jbp]

My short term memory does not seem to be what it used to be.

I think my trouble is my mind is racing through to many other thoughts to be bothered with the little things..lol

I wonder if mental exercises may not benefit some. Puzzles or games maybe.
Seems as though I may have read something about that at one time. I think it may have been related to the elderly, but memory should function the same regardless of age.

[lifegotcold]

My memory is not the best and I'm not good at concentrating either. I can't remember if it was always this bad or if there was a time where it was better when i was a bit younger or whatever.. but it could be worse so i guess i cant complain to much about it.

I always have trouble remembering the good and i always remember the bad but i think thats probably just because of how i feel maybe its because i am only focusing on the bad I'm not sure.

[silverclaws]

claire158, on Dec 26 2007, 11:25 AM, said:

I was just wondering........

Since I've been depressed/on meds I've noticed that I can't even think of the easiest words. I can get half way through a sentence and completely forget what the point of the story is or can be unable to remember the word I need to use to explain things. It can take me ages to think of it or I will have to use simplistic words to explain things. I never used to find it this hard, I feel like I'm getting thicker by the day.

So how is everyone elses memory?

I don't know whether it is me purposefully not storing something to be remembered , knowing how lousy my memory is of late, or me just not remembering things.I just cannot make my mind up on that.

Try writing something down and I either forget where I have put the note, or forget about it completely.


Another thought is, not remembering might be an avoidance technique, to avoid unnecessary hassle,the mind causes a purposeful forgetting action, to reduce the stress on the brain.Thankyou mind!

[duggie]

4 yrs ago I had a series of ECT Treatments. I complained to my Doc that I thought the ECT's reduced or removed my memory. He said that wasn't the case. I now know that while I took AD's, my memory was limited. Now that I take no meds, my memory seems to be fine.
Doug