My memory problem

[Jonn]

Like it took more than 45 minutes or so to recall Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr. Better known as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

The problem doesn't seem to be memory retention here.
It is a problem with the recall mechanism.
I have the same issue.

 

[Jonn]

I remember names and birthdays very well though. I just forget things in a disorganised way, not things about people.

Consider ED.

Spoiler

Not that ED, the other one.

Disorganised thinking must have a big impact on memory storage/recall.

In addition to that, ppl who have a problem with intrusive thoughts are at a further disadvantage since it interferes with a person's thought process.

 

[Judge]

The problem doesn't seem to be memory retention here.
It is a problem with the recall mechanism.
I have the same issue.

Interesting.

I haven't thought of it in those terms, but neurologically speaking retention and recall could be very different things.

 

[Outdated]

I agree with Jonn on this. I've had instances where memories have returned with amazing clarity yet I see no reason for me to have retained those memories.

The last time was when I went from being homeless to living where I am now. When I got this unit my case worker lady gave me a hug, and when she hugged me a memory came back so strong that it came with smells and emotions, everything. From nearly 30 years earlier:

I had been having an argument with my fiance and I walked out in to the front yard to cool down a little bit. While I was out there a little girl came walking down the street with a wicker basket full of bags of lollies. She was going door to door selling them to raise money for some charity. I did the autistic thing and sorted out all the bags of lollies so that all the same kinds were next to each other then bought two of them.

When I mentioned remembering that to my case worker lady she freaked out a bit and I never heard from her since. It was her, she was the little girl selling lollies.

 

[Cutesie]

Also, if you have a lifetime of suppressing unpleasant memories, I am guessing that your memory-recall function atrophies.

Really? Are you guessing that or is it a real thing? If it is, I'm in trouble.

(Back after a two-minute Google search): It's definitely a real thing.

I've been suppressing bad memories all of my life. When talking about a traumatic incident, I usually do so with no emotional feeling. (I was going to write more, but the topic is making my heart beat real fast, so that's it for now.)

 

[Xinyta]

Do you have ADD, ADHD, and/or executive dysfunction?
My ADD makes it difficult for me to focus, and I think that may be one reason I have poor short-term memory.

I would say I have some level of executive disfunction. Yes. Though I am not certain I have ADD or ADHD.

Yep, stress would be a major factor, IMO.
I was suicidal in my twenties, something that lasted a decade.
That wouldn't have helped.

Also, if you have a lifetime of suppressing unpleasant memories, I am guessing that your memory-recall function atrophies.

This makes alot of sense. I think the intense amount if stress and trama I was dealing with, lead to me not having many memories of much. At least not much beyond the overt negative ones that I cannot forget, if I tried.

I agree with Jonn on this. I've had instances where memories have returned with amazing clarity yet I see no reason for me to have retained those memories.

The last time was when I went from being homeless to living where I am now. When I got this unit my case worker lady gave me a hug, and when she hugged me a memory came back so strong that it came with smells and emotions, everything. From nearly 30 years earlier

I'm starting have something similar with memories. Not to the same extent as what you talk about. But I've found that as I have calmed down and looked at more stuff objectively. It has kicked some forgotten memories into gear again.

Though I think my forgetting is more out of an act of suppression and being defensive, than an actual memory issue.

Psychological issues are a mess like that.

 

[Jonn]

Really? Are you guessing that or is it a real thing? If it is, I'm in trouble.

(Back after a two-minute Google search): It's definitely a real thing.

I've been suppressing bad memories all of my life. When talking about a traumatic incident, I usually do so with no emotional feeling. (I was going to write more, but the topic is making my heart beat real fast, so that's it for now.)

It is my own theory.
I enjoy speculating about all sorts of things.
"Reason" is my weapon of choice.

I have a geneticaly inspired memory recall disability, (I believe my mother had it, also).
The memory is usually there, but it is difficult getting it out of the "Cupboard".
This has plagued me all my life.

I suspect not exercising memory-recall atrophies this ability even further.
As they say:
"If you don't use it, you lose it."

Also, I read how ADHD interferes with memory retention.
I have been "blessed" with that too.

 

[Jonn]

This makes alot of sense. I think the intense amount if stress and trama I was dealing with, lead to me not having many memories of much. At least not much beyond the overt negative ones that I cannot forget, if I tried.

For many years, I had constant memory recall of things I didn't want to remember.
It is not nearly as bad as it once was, now.

 

[Jonn]

While I was out there a little girl came walking down the street with a wicker basket full of bags of lollies. She was going door to door selling them to raise money for some charity. I did the autistic thing and sorted out all the bags of lollies so that all the same kinds were next to each other then bought two of them.

When I mentioned remembering that to my case worker lady she freaked out a bit and I never heard from her since. It was her, she was the little girl selling lollies.

Spoiler

I could say "Electronic Harassment", but I won't, since no one would believe/understand me.
Now, where are my meds?

 

[Cassandra65]

That's one thing in my own case I have gotten quite a handle on.

That it's the most insignificant things- (often people's names) that I so easily forget. Like it took more than 45 minutes or so to recall Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr. Better known as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion.

Dumb, but it's reality. Which at times can be aggravating, yet it also reinforces another thing. That I haven't forgotten numbers which are critical in this lifetime in comparison.

It also reminds me of that saying, "Use it or lose it". There may be more truth to it now than ever before when it comes old age.

I have an eidetic memory, but as a post-menopausal woman my recall can be a bit iffy. I've been taking ginseng for around 18 months and my recall has definitely improved.