Memory: Does anyone here really struggle with their memory?

[Poppy98]

My moment-to-moment/ working memory is terrible. My ability to recall what I learned as a young adult is much better but still not great. Hbu?

 

[Outdated]

I used to have a spectacular memory but it starts to diminish once you're over 50. My memory is still pretty good in general but I definitely notice the lack these days.

 

[the_tortoise]

My long term memory is fantastic.

My working memory is so bad I have been told that talking to me verbally can be like talking to a person with dementia, and I need consistently-the-same visual-spatial cues to get through ordinary daily tasks. (I do not actually have dementia, I have always been like this and have improved with age not worsened.)

And I don't always remember things I know in the appropriate moment. [But pretty much always do later, upon review -- could be hours, could be days, could even be weeks]

 

[Judge]

Long term memory is not a problem. Short term memory is getting more difficult approaching 70.

I try to do two things regarding memory loss:

1) Recite a mental script of names of three actors, one tv show from the distant past, a failed political statistician of the past and "cilantro/corriandor". - Deliberately unimportant things.

2) When I can't recall something simple and pointless, I try to hang onto it like a pitbull until it comes back. Whether it takes minutes or hours. And it always does seem to come back when I focus.

 

[Jumpinbare]

(I do not actually have dementia, I have always been like this and have improved with age not worsened.)

Same. I told my wife if I ever developed dementia, no one would know.

 

[Poppy98]

I need consistently-the-same visual-spatial cues to get through ordinary daily tasks.

Same!

And I don't always remember things I know in the appropriate moment.

Also same, sadly.

 

[Rodafina]

Overall, I have a pretty poor memory, but certain things stick and cling so tightly that I can remember every tiny detail. If I put in the effort to commit something to memory, it will be there for all time.

I've come to think that my mind takes in too much info sometimes and has trouble sorting out what is truly important and what is extraneous. Often, it seems that actually important things get put in the "extraneous" category.

For ordinary things that I don't want to remember for all time, I need a system of lists and notes to keep me on task.

 

[Masked Man]

Mine is actually pretty good I think. Although there are things I struggle with - like remembering people's names - but that's more to do with anxiety than anything else.

 

[Xinyta]

I think my issue with memory is a mix of issues. Anxiety, personal issues, and, more importantly, a hyperfixation on particular things said, shown, or otherwise, instead of the whole picture.

Anxiety because of the perception of some kinda of pressure to do things a certain way.

Personal issues because of lies developed in childhood that I have never personally let go of.

Hyperfixation because of taking one part of the presentation said, or shown, and trying visualize it. But doing so makes me not focus on the full point of what's said or shown.

 

[Dagan]

I struggle with the opposite. I wish I could forget some things. I will admit that I can get side-tracked and forget some stuff when a ton is going on at the same time. I always remember after the fact.

 

[Poppy98]

I always remember after the fact.

A couple people have mentioned this and I wonder if it comes down to having to use so much processing power so much of the time that some things get backlogged.

 

[RemyZee]

I have a weird memory. When thinking about something deep I am so scatter brained I can barely remember my way home. A really bad memory for things like phone numbers, directions, dates, names....I've lived here 2 years, but am always unsure what my zip code is, and have to check my mail to remember the number of my house. I've had my phone number for 3 years and still often forget it ...but can remember most of the poems I've ever written, songs, words, and have a good visual memory and often can visually remember things I've seen in great detail; Not just age related though it gets worse as I age....always been that way from the time I was a tot. For me it comes back to interest: when I am fascinated I remember so much about it. Or if I'm interested in something like a song or a movie or an idea, I will do it on repeat so many even hundreds of times I commit it to memory. Take away the fascination and my mind turns to a metaphorical sieve. And I don't appear to have a choice about it--my brain decides against my will what I am going to remember.

 

[AspieChris]

I remember minute details with startling clarity of things that nobody else notices, and Im always surprised when nobody else has a clue what I’m talking about. Then I forget things that everyone else remembers very easily. THEN I get treated as if I wasn’t paying attention and I get in trouble for not listening when I really tried to hear and pay attention.

It has been the focus of plenty of arguments with my wife.