Getting worried about my memory!

Teddi

Ye, I know its an odd title...but its currently a serious concern of mine.

Over the last 2, 2 and half years I've noticed a decrease in my ability to remember things.Now Im totally aware that its normal to forget things like someones name when you havent chatted to them in ages, examples like that but I find my situation a bit worse! I may be talking to someone new for 10/15 mins...the second they leave my presence, Ive totally forgotten their name! I mean come on! If someone asked me to remember a section of geography that I learned in school (5 years ago) I couldnt tell you!! Im feeling a level of mental retardedness (for the use of a better word!) and im feeling very low about this as I consider myself quite an intelligent bloke.

One of the contributing factors that I think has lead to this point is my career path. I'm in Art college and the acedemia department i'snt taken as seriously as in other fields of acedemia, i.e English Literature,psychology etc. in other colleges, and has a tendancy to focus on the more studio based, hands on approach. Am I right in thinking that a lack of constant exposure to acedemia based education has put me out of practice of basic cognitive thinking? Im only 23 which I find is really worrying. I used to be more bright and on the ball a whole lot more in the past (and im only talking 2 years here). Side effects are being scared to attempt essay assignments ,which logically makes no sense, I feel that I either wont get it done in time or that It will be a pathetic attempt.

This really isnt something a GP could remedy, nor a psychologist to be honest as I dont know how they would deal in memory loss?

Does anyone have any advice?

thanks

Toots

I would actually recommend talking to your GP about it, just to make sure it's not something more serious. They could have some advice. You could also try doing mental exercises, like sudoku or crosswords as they can help improve your memory too (worked for me lol)

One other thing I would ask, and I don't mean this to sound smart or sarcastic, but do you regularly drink or smoke the funny stuff? Both of these (especially the funny stuff) can have a negative effect on your memory. If you do, try cutting down/stopping for a few weeks and see do you notice any difference. Hope this is some help.

only_me

Have you been going out a lot, or drinking alcohol regularly by any chance? It might have something to do with it? I remember I went on holidays for 6 weeks a few years ago, and because I was drinking moe than I usually would it really, really affected my memory!! (we're talking forgetting what I was just saying to someone!) Anyway, it was very gradual, and I was terrified that my memory would stay like that, but fortunately it began to come back to normal after a couple of months.
Mind you, I think it's fairly normal not to be able to remember something you learned in geography in school 5 years on...

mikemac

So you're an Art student and your course is not intellectuly stimulating?
Lol, shouldn't you be doing drugs and moaning about George Bush like most Art students?

(Mods, apologies in advance )

Maybe watch Countdown or any number of afternoon quiz shows
Watch the news to keep up to date on world events and read the newspaper & try the crossword. Avoid Sky News!
This will keep ya sharp

If I go jogging I do mental sums like dividing my monthly salary in weeks or try to list sports records (F1 champions since 1950 for example)

Teddi

heh, thanks for the replies guys, all valid points..

toots: Yes I have smoked the funny stuff....but its not a regular or weekly thing, albeit i have gone on the odd binge from time to time (not crazy like..just a few spliffys over at a mates house )

Im not a crazy drinker, I can go months without drinking so i doubt that has any contributing factors....

only_me: ye as mentioned above, the drinking thing isnt really that much of a big deal tbh, but the thing about the geography education is that I was really good at it and totally surprized that I know ****e all only 5 years later when the old man can recite poems he learned in Primary school!

micmclo: Lol...believe it or not we dont even have a debating club or Team, and to what Ive seen our protests have been minimal over the last 3 years, but im sure there are the odd anarcistic non-diplomatic moaners tossed in there somewhere

I was thinking about doing some sort of brain training alright, but what kind, I dunno.

I am dealing with self-esteem, confidence issues also so that might be a negative effect on my memory? *shrugs* ....

mikemac

Teddi wrote: »

I was thinking about doing some sort of brain training alright, but what kind, I dunno.

Get a Nintendo DS and a few games.
I don't own one but I've heard it's good craic!

Ever hear of Derren Browne?He has a few books and videos and he's often on Channel 4.
Man is a genius though he doesn't call himself a genius. He has just trained himself to perform amazing mental feats. Have a look at youtube

LeixlipRed

I've found that since I left school I've read less novels and do less word based games i.e. crosswords, etc. And my english vocabulary has suffered. So it can happen to anyone. I study Maths though so atleast I have something to keep the brain sponge ticking over

Toots

Teddi, I'd strongly recommend cutting down/stopping smoking the funny stuff! I went through a phase over about two weeks where I binged on the stuff when I lived in Australia and I was convinced I had alzhiemers or something!! When I stopped, my memory went back to normal.;)

If you're thinking of doing brain training, get a nintendo DS, there's loads of those mental stimulation games for them!

Fanny Cradock

It's a widely held opinion that Omega oils are linked to brain functions, including memory. Sources of these oils would, for example, be found in fish and seeds. There is loads of stuff to be found on the tinterweb. Here is a link from the Beeb

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/intelligenceandmemory/omega_three.shtml

Toots

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

It's a widely held opinion that Omega oils are linked to brain functions, including memory. Sources of these oils would, for example, be found in fish and seeds. There is loads of stuff to be found on the tinterweb. Here is a link from the Beeb

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/intelligenceandmemory/omega_three.shtml

There's a supplement you can take too called IQ, full of fish oils and omega 3. Comes in tablet or liquid form (I'd recommend tablets, the liquid is a bit sickening.) It's available in boots.

Fanny Cradock

There is also an oil called Udo's Oil available in health shops. You pour it onto salads etc. (not for cooking). It tastes quite nice, but it's expensive!

JuliusCaesar

How's your concentration? How are your stress levels? The stuff may be *in* your memory but we all have trouble retrieiving stuff from memory - the less we repeat the material the more it fades. More exercise may help too. And keep the brain sharp as suggestions above. Use the person's name while talking with them - that helps.

SarahSassy

Dehydration can also be a factor...

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79871

Bottle_of_Smoke

I just posted this on a similar thread but stress could be a factor. If somethings worrying you, you have less concentration available for little things.

The fact that you've noticed this will cause you stress in itself so maybe a psychologist could help.

Kold

Man this thread speaks to me. I'm in art college too, me and a friend keep on going on about how we think we're getting thicker as we used to be quite the bright things in school. Although I'm pretty sure I fall under most of the causes stated. I don't eat fish at all and don't take any supplements and I smoke *good* weed most days. I also have a foul diet. Another reason would be because the research we should constantly be doing in our studio work is more quantity than quality. You'd be hoping to get big pictures rather than focus in on details. My attention span has taken a beating.

Bob in Belfast

I was going to tell you some advice
that i was told, when the same thing was happening to me.

msg11

Too be honest, I sometimes experience this in work. Talking to people on a daily basis and just totally forget there name. Another thing, depends what the conversation was about. Sounds like a really boring conversation, were your concentration level would be low/unaware , cause of the amount of useless information , but we have to be nice so we listen and go into a dream world.

While as in school, although it may be boring, you have fear there. Fear that you could be made a fool of by the teacher etc....

And to finish on this, we are humans, very intelligent animals. So don't be telling yourself your tick etc.... We are not machines...

K_P

Definitley lay off the funny stuff. Even if you're not indulging all that regularly, it can still have an effect. Start doing crosswords or sudokus in the paper, get some oily fish and Omega-3s into you and if you have a bit of cash to spare maybe invest in some DS Brain Training.

Having said all that, don't be too hard on yourself either. I find myself hopeless with people's names. Generally if I'm introduced to someone I find myself being so intent on not saying something stupid in the first few mins that I don't even hear their name. Probably all down to a confidence thing.

axer

Maybe it because you have no interest in the people you are talking to when you forget their names.

I notice it with myself that when I am talking to someone I don't really care about that their names would not even register with me in the first place.

You're studying psychology and fail to see how a psychologist can help? The girlfriend is a psychologist and I see the amount of stuff she can do even in the field of memory with testing etc. You would be surprise what a good psychologist can do for you.

bobzi

I was really worried about my memory for a while there aswell. Finished college at 23 and spent 2 years binge drinking, over indulging in the funny stuff and working in jobs a well trained monkey could do. Ive since gone back to college as a postgrad and cut down on the booze and cut out the whacky completely. Im relieved to say my memory has improved dramatically so maybe a bit of mental stimulation a healthier lifestyle will work for you too

Teddi

thanks for the replies guys....yea i do think that its alot of factors contributing to this.

This year has been the most stressful year for me as of yet. My confidence and self-esteem has taken an even harder knock with my condition I feel worsening. I think that Im so pre-occupied with my own worrying thoughts that the most BASIC and simple of cognitive memory storage goes out the window as my mind is so consumed with my own personal problems.

I dont want to open a can of worms on my other problems but i believe they are contributing to the way Im composing myself.

axer: yea, I think your right in regards finding people boring, hehe, I think ive been unfortunate in not meeting that many an interesting person lately that has motivated my thinking and memory to stay put! Its interesting to think that the people you do like and find interesting you remember quite vividly (and just to note, I dont study psychology, I was using it as an example ) Im an art student (Graphic design )

Marksie

Bob in Belfast wrote: »

I was going to tell you some advice
that i was told, when the same thing was happening to me.

and?

Bob in belfast i have checked your posts in PI. You were warned yesterday and throughout this forum you have acted immaturely.

Take a break and read the charter for a while.

1 week

coolbeans

To me it sounds like the biggest factor in your memory loss is probably your mental state i.e. depression. I know this is easy to say but the big D really does manifest itself in various ways and undoubtedly, for me at least memory loss or the inability to retain information for long periods of time was a major and worrying symptom of this. In fact it made me paranoid to the extent that I feared that I was beginning to lose my mind. After all if you feel you can't remember information you begin to wonder are the lights on at all!
Couple of questions: Are you an (over) analytical person? Is your self esteem low or on the floor entirely? Do you consider yourself "less intelligent" than you were when you were in your teens? Do you ever feel paranoid?
While all of this is far from a scientific evaluation of the symptoms of depression I do know (from personal experience) that memory can be affected adversely. This is reinforced by fear and indeed fear of increased memory loss which can then multiply the effects of the symptoms described above.
I'm well aware that I've provided no answers here but I do get the feeling, perhaps mistakenly, that I have an idea where you are at the moment.
PM me if any of the above resonates with you at all.
Otherwise good luck man.