Sufferer Short Term Memory Loss?

[Silver]

Does anyone have experience with PTSD and memory loss?

This has been really frustrating to me. I have problems remember details or even words of a conversation I had with someone today... last week... last month... and so on. I have been experiencing PTSD for 8 months now, and I swear this is just getting worse. It seriously effects my job, and yes I am in therapy.

It's like my mind just goes blank, I can't remember for the life of me what the answer is. Then of course I panic and that just makes it worse. I feel like I'm living in a fog, and I just want out! Oh, I can remember that YES I did do that, or YES I had that conversation. And I remember if I had a good feeling, or a bad feeling about that conversation/event....but everything else is fragmented?

Can anybody relate?

 

[Pixie]

Hi Silver.

I experience this a lot so you aren't alone.

For me, I think it is a case of becoming increasingly internalized and therefore not connecting fully with the outside world. I have conversations and do things but I am not fully aware.

Dissociation is also a reason why I don't remember things.

Oh, welcome to the forum by the way! :)

Pixie

 

[Deleted member 541]

Welcome to the forum, and to PTSD....The gift that just keeps on giving. Memory???? WHAT memory??? Mine leaves all the time, and then there are the times that I don't think I ever had the brain cells that hold memory, or whatever it is. Just gone, can't remember anything.

Actually it is so bad, that I have an appointment in Jan. at the Memory Clinic where is live.....I write myself notes for everything, and then forget the notes. Really helpful....

So, to answer your question........Yes, I relate quite well...

 

[Marlene]

Short term memory loss? I prefer to think of it as Swiss cheese brain. I forget things all the time. Only notes save my bacon. My daughter has learned if she wants me to remember something to put a note on my purse handle. That way I see it when I pick up my purse and then I'll remember. Otherwise, forget about it.

Stress makes memory issues worse. But even when stress is low, it's still a crap shoot to see if I can remember what I need to remember.

Lisa

 

[Pixie]

I usually have to put every little thing in my mobile so that it shows up on my screen whenever I check it for messages... has worked so far (except for when I forget where I've left it! :crazy: ).

Pixie

 

[growingpains]

Lists, lists and more lists. I drive my partner crazy. I even went from being blonde to brunette just so people would not consider me a blonde because of my memory issues (honestly). Just try everything until you find something that works for you. I know, that is easier said than done. On your worst day just remember that everyone forgets.

 

[Grainne]

Hi Silver, Welcome.

I have the same issues at work. Mine have been getting progressively worse over the last months also, in fact, i'm finding that during long conversations I'll start forgetting the info AS it's being relayed to me.

I was introduced to someone yesterday who's name I instantly forgot, then asked to be reminded..then instantly forgot.

The other day, my husband brought me a fork. I was so confused...why in the world would someone walk up to you and hand you a fork?? I even asked him. "uhhh, honey, why did you just give me a fork?". His answer: "I didn't think you'd want to eat your dinner with your fingers?" ... as I realize I'm sitting at the table, staring at my meal.

Trust me. You're not alone on this one!

Grainne

 

[Pixie]

The other day, my husband brought me a fork. I was so confused...why in the world would someone walk up to you and hand you a fork?? I even asked him. "uhhh, honey, why did you just give me a fork?". His answer: "I didn't think you'd want to eat your dinner with your fingers?" ... as I realize I'm sitting at the table, staring at my meal.

Sorry to hijack your thread Silver but I just had to say that this made me smile because I get the same reaction from my hubby when I ask what something is for...

Oh, and should mention that I've been back to this thread many times, only to discover that I've already responded... argh! :wall:

Pixie

 

[Hemels]

Hi Silver,

Welcome to the forums.

Memory??? - HA! - I even forget what that means :rofl:

I used to have such a brilliant memory, I could look in my kitchen cupboards once, go to the supermarket and buy everything I needed and never forget a thing. Last month I went back 7 times for black bin bags and still forgot them, it ended where my partner went and bought them because he was sick of me buying everything else in the store other then what I went in for. :crazy:

I too have too leave myself notes. I have notes on the fridge, on my doors, my diary, my desk at work and sometimes just to make sure I do it, my partner will send me a text to remind me LOL. Because if he doesn't you can bet your life that when I get home and he says "Have you done.....?" the answer is going to be No!

Hemmy xXx

 

[anni]

Hi Silver,

Oh my you are going to receive an awful lot of answers! I'm not a professional so can't say what is and isn't on the list of PTSD symptoms, but BOY I'm pretty sure that short term memory loss is in the top ten.

When I first joined this forum, I was completely blown away with how many 'things' other people identified with if I mentioned them. Then I'd read posts and see people leading such similar lives as me that it genuinely made me cry with relief on a few occasions. I still do.

In point of fact, today have been triggered extremely badly. At the moment I'm so foggy I am having trouble remembering how to spell-quite literally. So yes, you are very much not alone. It's nice to see someone coming here and being able to know that. :)

Take care,

Anni

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I used to have a memory - along time ago - I think, I can't remember. LOL.

Seriously, yes my memory is shot. My husband has to call me daily to remind me if I'm supposed to be taking care of something, my adult children send me text msgs to remind me to pick up milk on the way home, I am a note freak - however recently I'm losing all the notes.

Under stress - you can completely forget about it - I won't remember anything you have told me or asked me to do. Even when I'm not under stress it's bad - but I might remember if you remind me.

 

[shiraz]

I spoke to my psychiatrist about this last week. He mentioned that depression, lack of sleep and anxiety all cause cortisol levels to increase. Heightened cortisol levels cause poor memory and concentration .... sheesh!

Now I get why I can't remember certain conversations or if I paid my insurance this morning (I checked it twice - it was paid both times)!

So the thing to do is to get those stress levels down, get some sleep and stop being depressed ...... silly!

as if!