memory disfunction

Post Reply New Topic

Anyone else here get extreem memory disfunction when you are stressed? I feel I am barely functioning with my memory not working right. It is much worse than ever before. We just moved, and I can' t find anything. When I try to remember where I put something, I get a throbbing head ache. Even my photographic memory is horrilbe. I usually can retrace my steps to find something with mly photo graphic memory, but it has gaps in it and I am beginning to feel lost within my own body and head. I feel like I am slowly loosing my memory and going senile.

You are stressed and your worry is adding to your stress.
Relax and things will go back to what they were before.

my short time memer bad, i often remmber stuff, then other times i dont so at times it drive me nuts

I forget things easily.I worked at a fast food place in Red Deer in October for a while.I kept forgetting to do things and where I put things.That particular place was in gasoline alley in RD and was busy because of QE2 highway traffic between Edmonton and Calgary....word of advice...NOT a good place for an aspie to work.I was laid off in November.The employer said it wasnt cuz of performance but I think that was a bold faced lie.

My short term memory can be poor, and I do lousy in such tests.

Yes, I have exactly this, and I think it due to chronic stress. I have gone from remembering everything in intricate detail to not remembering something I was concentrating on 5 mins ago. I've even watched programmes and didn't remember until about 10 mins in, that I had watched it before. I have forgotten what things are called also - e.g: the turny overy thingy (remote) and I seem to have to do a mini charades when I can't think of the word I'm thinking of when trying to explain something to someone. It's scary, and I have even tried memory tests online to see if I was going senile. However, I think ( and hope) it's temporary though.

You are far too young to be going senile, FrogGirl. Stress can do terrible things to your memory and moving is on the list of the most stressful of life changes. I think that once you adjust to your new environment things will fall back into place for you again and you will re-acquire your terrific memory skills. Try not to put so much pressure on your self and be more forgiving of yourself for not being up to speed in the memory arena. I understand that it's scary, especially for someone with photographic memory, to suddenly feel a diminishment and loss of such a great asset. I have been in the same position, I know how disturbing it can be, but I recovered when the stressors were removed and I think you will too. Remember (ha ha), worrying about losing your memory, which is a frightening thing, will just make the stress all the worse. Just try to relax more and take in your new surroundings.

Hi there FrogGirl,

Your post describes my world to a T right now. We just moved as well, boxes all over the place. I feel like there is stuff everywhere. I try to hang curtains, can't find the brackets for the rods. I try to do dishes, where's the dish soap?... etc.

Transitions are difficult for us as it is, and I think that moving is one of the biggest ones. You need to get used to a new environment, get used to everything being one big disorganized mess, get used to a new neighbourhood, deal with new landlords, having phone/internet/cable changed... the list goes on and on.

I think you're likely more out of your comfort zone than senile. I'm sure as you get settled in, which could take a while, things will get back to normal. My bf left for work this morning, then called me around 10 am saying "Oh sh*t, I forgot to leave the rent check with you. So now his mom (on the other side of town) has to drive to his work, and then drive all the way over here just to drop it off so it's here when the landlord comes. Keith is not autistic. He is ADD innattentive, but he's certainly not loosing his mind. He's just more forgetful due to all the new stresses.

I think you'll be ok, just give yourself some time to get adjusted.

I become forgetful when stressed. I lose things, forget to do stuff, forget what I was going to say midsentence... etc. So that makes sense.

And the other day I was in a suburb I used to live in and still frequently visit, and I suddenly blanked out about where I was and what I was doing there. It lasted at least 10 seconds, and gave me a huge jolt. (Is this a cause for concern? It's not Alzheimers because I'm 23 )

I've done the same. It happens more often the more stressed I am and lost in my thoughts within my head, while my body is still moving around in my environment. It is scary when you do it while driving.

I also have adhd, and generialized anxiety disorder, which definately, doesn't help things any. I asked my Dr. today for an adhd med, because I can't live like this. The last time I took the generic for Ritialin and it was HORRILBE. I guess I am now so desperate I am willing to give another a go, so she ordered the brand name Adderall. Anyone been on this one?
I was just getting things organized a little, and then, about 2 weeks ago, I realized I couldn't find a very inportant envelope( it contained a check for our vacation to Yellowstone( for 4 nights stay at a cabin) that we are going to in August and a prepaid visa for about $200(which was paid by a grant to enrich the lives of people with autism disorders) and our National park lifetime Access passes(which gets us in free and gets us discounts on things there). I found the envelope, but THAT is when i really lost- my- mind and havent' been able to find it since. I turned the place upside down and it was all a mess again. Then as I started to get some organization going and some visual balance in a few rooms, my husband brings home a living room couch and loveseat set. Uggggg. I was up for hours trying to "balance "the room out( which included moving two 10 gal. aquariums. My husband just doesn't understand that the littlest change, right now, will turn my world upside down. It is also stressful to look at your first bills for your new residence. $140 for my first electric bill. We had a heat wave for a couple weeks and my AC was running non stop just to keep it at 90+ during the day and I am paying HOW MUCH!! !!. I'm dreading the other first bills coming in.

Last edited by FrogGirl on 01 Jul 2009, 9:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Long term memory.. too good.. but short term memory, terrible! Tell me something, and in 2 minutes I'll forget it. But if something specific (considered insignificant to the "NT" I guarantee you) happened on say July 26, 1985... I will remember it and I do!

Same for me too, but lately, even the long term memory is a mess too.

When I get stressed my short term memory gets really bad, often to the point where I'll be asking where the remote is and it'll be in my own hand.

That is right where I am at.

Your stressed? Well, I'm not stressed at the moment but my memory still seems really bad. Yesterday I was looking for my mobile phone and it was on the table, but I looked on the table twice and never saw it...ok so maybe my memory isn't bad but I have 'selective vision'.