Serious memory problems?

[Lalaland]

Hey everyone

So lately I've been having really weird memory problems (I'm mid twenties) I've never had a good memory, but over the last few weeks its gotten really bad. Like I see pictures of famous people etc and I know who they are but I just CAN'T remember their names, it's sort of On the tip of my tongue.

I was just trying to remember what I did last weekend but really couldn't, I've also been having trouble remembering what date and day it is - and I keep forgetting things I've just done. Thinking. Did I DO that or did I just THINK I did that?

I'm a little worried because lately I've really been getting my health anxiety under control, so I know I've been more stressed previously without having these issues.

I'm hoping its not a brain tumour, or early dementia but its really getting to me!

[vardnas]

Stress and anxiety also cause memory problems. Much more readily than either a brain tumor or alzheimers. Alzheimers and dementia tend to present with forgetfulness (forgetting that you left water boiling on the stove, for example) or confusion (where am I? who are you?). I know the kind of memory issues you're having—I have them all the time, too. I have no idea what I did last Thursday. I mean, if I sat long enough and thought about it, I could remember, but it doesn't come readily. That's not illness or a brain problem (certainly not a tumor) that's just run of the mill forgetfulness exacerbated by stress or anxiety or lack of sleep, etc.

[Lalaland]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. The only problem is that I think I AM feeling confused. I don't know how to explain it, but I've definately been feeling confused a lot more lately.

I've also been having some trouble staying out of my thoughts, not so much about health anxiety, but just staying in the present in general. And then when I realise I'm thinking I get like a jolt and feel like I'm not really ... Me?

So strange, and definately worrying.

[vardnas]

Yep, that's called depersonalization/derealization and again, it's very common with anxiety. When you've been super-stressed, it's almost like the brain's way of protecting itself against more stress.

Lala, are you currently doing anything to address your anxiety, or are you stuck in the symptom—google—scare—symptom loop? Look, you're in your 20s! That is FAR too young for even "early-onset" alzheimers, I'm sorry. Why do you assume these worst case scenarios, anyway? I'm not trying to bully you, just trying to challenge your thinking. My grandmother had dementia, and guess what? She didn't worry about it. That's part of the disease—your mind goes, it's not sitting there considering the fact that it might be going.

No, again, not to burst your disease bubble, you do not have either of these problems. You have anxiety, which is problem enough, and in order to feel better, you're going to NEED to be proactive in your recovery.