Student With Ptsd Trying To Stay Afloat.

[kawatoli]

This is my first post on this forum, or any forum like it. I was diagnosed with PTSD in January, which was a bit of a relief, but also damaging at the same time. This is my fourth year in college, I spent two years studying economics, and am on my second year as a chemistry major.
Over the years, it's seemed as though my memory has gotten much worse. In the past year I've found myself forgetting what I was talking about mid sentence, this happens almost daily. As you can imagine, this problem does not go very well with a rigorous study schedule. I'm not having problems with understanding the material and test taking, it's more an issue of finding the strength to sit down and start. I've also had major problems with remembering due dates and totally forgetting about assignments all together. I've tried day planners(I've bought at least 5 over the past year), I use planners on my phone, but I can never remember to check the planners, or check my phone(it's usually not on me).
My memory is just one of the things that I have been struggling with in school. I was just hoping that someone out there that has had the same issues could help me figure out what I need to do to make this thing easier on me.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Kawatoli,

Welcome to the forum. Memory issues are very common with this disorder and I am sure you will find information here that will help you.

From a personal standpoint, I find that my memory becomes less reliable with the more stress that I am under. I also tend to "forget" things that cause me discomfort, and I believe it is some sort of denial of avoidance on my part. I did find that using one means of a planner and just making myself check that (and trying not to worry about what was written on the to do list) has helped me keep on top of things better.

The members here are great, and I am sure they will provide you with information that will help you.

Take care.
Debbie

 

[Abrasky]

Welcome Kawatoli,
I have memory problems too. Only just now, my husband told me can you half close the door for bub. Only 5 seconds later I walked through the door and didn't close the door. He had to remind me again.
I feel like a goldfish, they go around the rock and say hello there is a rock. And then the goldfish goes around the rock again and says hello there is a rock. The golfish has a 5 second memory.
As I have diabetes (Type 1 - insulin dependent), memory problems could be a problem but I have learned to compensate. I use mobile phone with 10 different alarms on it, and I have a routine which is pretty similar and find if I follow it every day, It can prompt me to things. Finding things to compensate can help.

 

[Brontie]

Welcome! kawatoli.

 

[jokuzzi]

Remember to breathe. Even if you have to say the word over and over...BREATHE. It does help.

 

[Ron]

Welcome!

 

[Katy]

Welcome, I can relate a lot to what you're saying. I'm a student too and I have major difficulties. It's not that I can't understand the material, when the lecture ends I think "huh, I understood all of that, cool." An hour later if you try and ask me what the lecture was about I couldn't tell you! It's frustrating, when it comes to writing essays and studying for exams it's like I'm learning stuff all over again.

 

[Froggie]

Welcome Kawatoli, As Intothelight mentionned, you will find many interesting articles and people here on this forum ... and yes memory and concentration problems are very typical for PTSD sufferers.

 

[TanTan]

Heyy.
I relate to what you're saying, I'm a student with ptsd too. For me, the hardest thing is my medication keeping me in bed till 2pm. I'm worried if I miss anymore classes I'll fail.
Write your task with the nearest due date on a post-it note. Stick it somewhere you look often, such as the fridge, your door, mirror etc. When you complete the task, take the note down and whilst you remember - write the next task out and stick it up. Keep a day planner with detailed work tasks and due dates, which you can check whilst writing each post-it.
It's hard because when going through emotional problems, petty things like essays and coursework seem trivial and go to the back of the brain, where all the things not really important to you right now stay. Keep up to date with your work and it will help you get back into a routine. Simple things like coming home will trigger the memory of "homework". Try completing your work when on a high, because when you crash you won't do it. Simple as.
Good luck,
TanTan