Posted by Fletcher on September 17, 2008, at 19:50:16
In reply to Forgetfulness / concentration issues, posted by Angela2 on September 11, 2008, at 9:31:09
I have long had the same kind of "memory" issues. In fact, I still do-- and not taking any of those medications you mention (no joke-- but I actually forgot what they are already.. I don't think I've taken any of them, and I'm certain I'm not taking any of them now).
I wouldn't call it a memory problem as much as "absent-mindedness". I don't have trouble recalling committed facts or who people are or things like that, but I will readily forget what I'm in the middle of if I change context.
I realized I'd had that problem of walking into another room to get something and forgetting what it was from a young age, because I'd developed a "workaround" for it: when I walk into a room to get something, I mime the action of using the object with my hands over and over. If my brain forgets what I'm looking for, the sense memory in my hands reminds me.
Also, that thing of completely losing a thought while in a conversation hasn't happened to me in a very long time. I, personally, think this is a side-effect of powerful anxiety. I had an ex-girlfriend with similar early-life trauma to me and she had the same issue. It doesn't really happen to me anymore-- it may be the EFA (fish oil) or other supplements I started.
The only problem I haven't really solved or made any better is concentration. I still can't sit down and read a book-- my mind will wander after a few pages to an unworkable degree. My solution to this is to use audio books and be doing something else physical while listening (walking, biking, etc.)
poster:Fletcher
thread:851468
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080915/msgs/852536.html