Need advice about remembering things (memory)

[Crawn2003]

I've been noticing lately that I'm having problems with my memory.

I can't remember things that happened two days ago 100%. I might remember most of it but certain things just don't come back to me. I also might be having a conversation with someone and I'll just stop because I can't remember what I was saying. And before anyone else says it's normal to do this, I'm talking about 4-5 times a day I do this.

I hate that feeling like I can't remember something that happened 30 minutes ago! And the worst part is that it happens constantly!

I need advice, is this something possibly serious enough to see a doctor about or, lol, is it all in my head?

~Crawn

P.S. Please keep serious answers. I can already imagine the amount of smart replies that can come up...

 

[MacHipster]

If you think it's serious enough to post a thread over, then by all means go see a professional.

 

[Stampyhead]

Do you get enough sleep? Sleep deprivation can affect your short term memory.

 

[Crawn2003]

Do you get enough sleep? Sleep deprivation can affect your short term memory.

I believe I do. I get around 7-8 a night.

~Crawn

 

[Leareth]

Also nutrition plays a huge role.

I noticed that when I tried to save a few bucks and eat a typical student diet my memory and problem solving abilities suffered, when I decided to eat healthy, with plenty of fresh food and cutting back on processed, sugar and preservative laden crap - I felt better and was able to focus on my studies.

For memory it also depends on what stimulates you most and try to connect memories and facts to the stimuli.
Some people are very visual, others aural or physical.

 

[dukebound85]

exercise also helps alot too


but for me, i find if i dont care about a topic, i wont remember it.

 

[CanadaRAM]

I believe I do. I get around 7-8 a night.

~Crawn

Your particular body may need 9 or more.
Try it for a while -- change your schedule for 9 hours of sleep and see if it makes a difference.

Stress and pressure can do it too -- do you have anything hanging over you?

And see the doc & eat better too - those are both good suggestions.

 

[OnlyMarcusCannn]

I read somewhere that not keeping the brain "exercised" can result in memory loss. Try reading and doing some puzzles or something like that. Also, try eating healthier. Foods like salmon and nuts are said to be memory boosters.

 

[PowerFullMac]

exercise also helps alot too


but for me, i find if i dont care about a topic, i wont remember it.

Same here!

The teacher said what? I was busy thinking of how to run Leopard on my G3!

 

[Melrose]

mind exercises have worked great for me - and trains your mind to work better and more efficiently. Kind of like doing situps give you ABS, so to speak.

I've found that playing chess has greatly increased my memory. I'm not into like I was, but following several weeks of studying chess (as a hobby, actually, but studying it nonetheless) I could read a 10-digit number once and recall it two weeks later.

Play chess - it sharpens your analytical process, greatly improves your memory whilst forcing you to adapt your memory to fit the situation.

 

[wordmunger]

I need advice, is this something possibly serious enough to see a doctor about or, lol, is it all in my head?

I'm not a doctor, but I do write a psychology blog, and even if this is "all in your head" you should probably still get some professional help. Your doctor might be the best place to start, but ultimately you'll probably be directed to a psychiatrist or a neurologist.

I found a not-so-great memory test on Psychology Today. It might at least give you a sense of how bad your problem is relative to others.

 

[Mr.Noisy]

Stress and pressure can do it too -- do you have anything hanging over you?

And see the doc & eat better too - those are both good suggestions.

Stress, Pressure and general exhaustion are all factors in memory lose, but more importantly as CanadaRAM Said see a doctor, if your posting here it must be causing you some level of concern,

Personally as a shift worker, I work 12 hour shifts & find i get very tired and remembering things can be hard, i think it's the bodys way of shouting 'GET SOME SLEEP', But i do find a good sleep really changes things when my shifts are finished, but i find the best sleep is through the day when the house is empty and at it's quietest.

hope all turns out well

 

[letsgorangers]

I also might be having a conversation with someone and I'll just stop because I can't remember what I was saying. And before anyone else says it's normal to do this, I'm talking about 4-5 times a day I do this.

I took a seizure medication for a few weeks and it had this effect on me. I literally couldn't pull the simplest words from my memory. I once described a robe ("you know, that thing you put on after a shower!") because I couldn't retrieve the word! The stuff I took was nicknamed Dope-amax. I stopped taking it 8 or 9 months ago, and sometimes I still find myself searching for words in the middle of a conversation.

I think wordmunger is right about seeing a doc. There could be something neurological going on there.