My opinion
I'm 22 years old and have a terrible memory. I've been through two years of non-stop stress and a breakdown at a young age which I can imagine would have a lot to do with it. I would really like some tips or advice on how to start improving this as i'm at my wits end. I've lost all my friends as I have no memory of anything to be able to talk to people and I can't seem to make friends as I can't hold a conversation anymore. At school i was an A* student and very clever but now I can't even do times tables, remember my favourite bands song-lyrics nor remember general things about my friends.
I'm in desperate need of help and just don't know what to do with myself anymore, i feel so depressed and a shadow of my old self because of this.
Please help!
Hi Nik. I worked as a community psychiatric nurse for 25 years, mainly with clients with memory problems, (Alzheimers sufferers etc) I also worked for 4 years with Clients under the age of 65 with memory problems. From what you have briefly described, in my opinion you could well be suffering with a degree of anxiety/depression. Stress, such as incurred by life events affect people in different ways. Some are more prone to reacting to situations by becoming anxious, what my mother would have termed as a born worrier, me for example. If problems, however seemingly small to others, are not resolved to your satisfaction, they will often tend to magnify, and be added to by other day to day events, that you probably wouldn't given a second thought to before. This level of unresovled stress will have an affect on your memory. You will be aware of this, probably put 2 and 2 together and get 5 ! This will then evolve into a vicious circle, were all your thoughts are in a negative mode, and worry piles upon worry. Naturally, one would not feel happy about this, so your mood be be affected and you will become depressed. Your sleep will probably become affected, broken sleep and awakening early. Your appetite may well drop off, and you may become generally listless and apathetic, not wanting to do anything. But ask yourself this; am I still able to dress myself, feed myself, use a telephone, basic day to day activities any person without a dementing illness would be able to do. For your own peace of mind, I would go to see your G.P. As for actions you can do for yourself, try to relax. The net is full of simple easy to do relaxation programs. Take some time in the day to just go for a lie down. Dim the lights in the room, maybe listen to some music you like, (but not heavy metal or such). Try and control your breathing, deep slow breaths. Takes things a day at a time, slowly. Don't expect to be back to "normal" after a day or so. Try to think positively, and give yourself a liitle pat on the back for any small victory's you might achieve. Seek the support of other, family, friends or professionals, and PLEASE, I know it's easy for me to say, but don't over worry.
