Memory Loss

[NatBird]

Hi.

I feel as though my recent PTSD storm has hit a switch and totally wiped my system. It's left me with a highly compromised memory and ability to articulate myself. It's as though my capacity to express myself and recall information has been destroyed. It's very scary. It's also frustrating as I'm at a point of trying to re-connect but unable to hold a conversation!

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[NatBird]

Hi.

I feel as though my recent PTSD storm has hit a switch and totally wiped my system. It's left me w...

Oh..if so, how did you manage it?

 

[Deleted member 35429]

Yes, way too often this past year. When I get triggered I'm dumb as a stump. My vocabulary is very limited and I have very poor short term memory. It's awful because I have a very demanding career and having this come back and turn me into a zombie is immensely challenging.

The only thing that seems to help is exercise and just getting through the triggers.

 

[Deleted member 35429]

Natbird, may I ask how old you were when you experienced trauma? I was an adolescent and when PTSD hits for me I feel like I'm mentally that young and dumb again. Maybe that isn't related but it's just a thought.

 

[Friday]

Do I go there? Oh yeah.

How do I manage it?

You're gonna hate this answer: Practice.

On a whole lotta different fronts. From the "Hello Human" interactions at the gas station, to the deep meaningful conversations we want to be having with people we adore... punctuated with the oh-so-lovely stuttering, long pauses, f*cked up words, suddenly having to go (right now!), repeating ourselves, and :facepalm: I can't believe I just said/did that crushing embarrassment afterwards.

Words. Words are my enemy. :shifty: Really. I hate words.

But, like so many things with PTSD... Patience, practice, and small pieces.

 

[Deleted member 36516]

I've suffered from short period of amnesia

 

[Freedomfighter]

Hi.

I feel as though my recent PTSD storm has hit a switch and totally wiped my system. It's left me w...

Your brain will often simply shut down, it is a self protection mechanism, happens often when there is an overload of information.

Only patience helps in such cases, and yes, speech suffers, that is a part that I hate.

 

[Ronin]

By switching gears.

Can't with words? Sign language. Pictures. Gestures.

Sign out of the window? Expressing what the darn thing I'm looking for is a tool to, for as long as it takes to get the help I need / someone grokking what I'm looking for.

Big chunks of my life? Mementos. Gazillion of them. Granted, they'd likely poke me straight to overload for a good long while, but it's something, instead of a shell.

Psych-motor skills going out? Well hello, a bummer, but in baby steps. Let's do the moves I remember how, and re-learn all the rest. Preferably with someone telling me how to do the thing, doesn't matter if in person or distant. I switch to being my own teacher very fast after, just need to know someone has my back and faith in me.

None of that working? Giving it time and giving it hope. Hello, brain, imma be here and cling to f*ckin' life while you're sorting yourself out :D If doing better, I'll be busy talking to God & spirits in the meantime.

& Meantime going on: If I forgot aall about it? It's not important for now.

If it happens to be important for someone else? They better have a way of cluing me back in.

 

[NatBird]

Natbird, may I ask how old you were when you experienced trauma? I was an adolescent and when PTSD hits f...

@Orion sorry for delay, been away.

Your description suits what happen to me perfectly. I become a zombie! It's hard because I'm a writer. The expectation is that I'll be good with words or at least abke to express myself.

The trauma happened throughout my life.
I do notice that a certain age repeats words, cannot punctuate or spell.
This doesn't fee like this aspect. I don't know what aspect it might be. I just feel unable to express myself.

I don't feel activated. In fact I was feeling good before I left for the residential.

Thanks for your response:)

 

[NatBird]

Do I go there? Oh yeah.

How do I manage it?

You're gonna hate this answer: Practice.

On a whole lot...

:) @Friday thanks Friday.

Yes I'm accepting it and trying to take that approach. I'm thinking about doing some workshops in public speaking.

Just hard to believe. I've been working as a teacher/workshop facilitator for the last ten years and now I can hardly string a sentence together!

:(

 

[NatBird]

By switching gears.

Can't with words? Sign language. Pictures. Gestures.

Sign out of the window? Express...

@Ronin Thank you. Appreciate the balance of adaptation and acceptence in your response. And YES! Talking to God & Spirits. YES!

 

[NatBird]

Does anyone know any articles or books I can read about this process as part of PTSD.