Depression causing bad memory.

[janemariesayed]

It can be quite frustrating but I have realised that there is nothing I can do about my loss of memory. I have realised that my bad memory is not down to anything else except the fact that I am depressed.

I saw a job that I would love to do recently and decided to apply for it. On the application form though, it wanted me to tell them about a challenge that I have had and how I overcame it. Because of the life that I have had I couldn't think of any work challenge at all, even though I am sure I've had loads. I could think of lots of life challenges though and they are not the kind of thing that prospective employers really want to hear about.

'hey tell us about a challenge you've had and how did you deal with it?'

'Well, my Step Dad sexually abused me, I tried to tell my Step Mom to help to stop it, but hey, she accused me of lying and gave me the cane so I ran away'.

Well, this is a good thing to put on a job application form, (smile) but all other silly little challenges are not challenges at all.

The Doctor tells me it is because of depression that I cannot remember things like normal daily challenges, as people with my condition don't see them as challenges.

Does your depression do the same thing with your memory? and how do you cope with it in interacting with people in your everyday life?

 

[to7update]

I see depression like a drain, something that drains all the energy from us and from that point on how can body or mind work properly if we have no energy?

I am not sure if the example you gave there is real or not, but if it is I am really sorry to hear about it. Most likely you are depressed due to past traumatic events and you lose you memory because of that too? Isn't depression just an effect like memory and not the cause of it?

I don't have memory loss like that, but things I don't want to forget to do I simply write them down in post-its, clean and simple.

 

[fuzyon]

I have memory losses in terms of bad experiences from my depression, simply because my mind chooses to erase the bad things that have happened to me over the years. In a way it's an useful tool since I don't have to deal with bad, past memories but it can also be frustrating when you're trying to share your story with someone. Double-edged sword.

 

[janemariesayed]

I am not sure if the example you gave there is real or not, but if it is I am really sorry to hear about it. Most likely you are depressed due to past traumatic events and you lose you memory because of that too? Isn't depression just an effect like memory and not the cause of it?

Yes, sorry to say 7update, but the example I have given is true and there are more traumatic events too. I see what you are saying, yes depression is a side effect of past traumatic events. Which as you so rightly say past traumatic events can affect the memory as well. I going through this with my Doctor at the moment. I have to wait a week for my appointment to discuss the results but he says its because of PTSD. He took a vit b12 test so I will find out.

I am finding that when I am prompted to remember a normal everyday event, that I cannot. I can't remember dates, times, what year I did normal things.

 

[to7update]

That's how our mind keeps us going down and making us more depressed @fuzyon. I mean, there are so many good things in life, we should we be focusing on the negative ones? I still recall the times when I was depressed and all I could do was sleep and watch tv. It was painful, so when I managed to snap out of it, I made an effort not to return to that condition and to make an effort to see the positives of things.

 

[janemariesayed]

This is the point I'm trying to put across @7update, that by applying for that job took me into negative thoughts when I try my best not to think about them. When I am told to think of a challenge my mind automatically goes to the negative hard-drive because that is where my mind has stored it all. The prospective employers don't realise that they are prompting negative issues to resurface. I don't think jobs have the right to ask questions in that manner.
I think jobs should ask questions and give the actual scenario. Like for example 'Imagine you are serving a customer and they complained about the item they had purchased, what would you do?'

 

[to7update]

@janemariesayed. I am happy to see that you are openly discussing it though, I guess talking about it makes less painful to live with that fact.

What is a vitb12 test? OK, so google told me that's a test for b12 vitamin in the blood? Interesting that your doctor prescribe you that because I also believe that nutrition plays a big role on our mental condition. Also, have you tried doing sports? Maybe that could help with the memory?

As for jobs, those guys just ask anything, they have their own psychologists and to be honest I don't even get what's the aim of some of the questions.

 

[janemariesayed]

Yes @7update the vit B12 test is a vitamin test for B12 as you say. Apparently, it helps with the memory, I find out next week and see where the flow goes. I may have a lack of it in my body which could be the reason for my selective' bad memory, or it could be what the Doctor thinks and due to depression and PTSD.

I've had a wee look on the net to see what foods have B12 naturally in them and I do eat liver, eggs, milk I guzzle like there is no tomorrow and I quite often have some marmite on bread or toast. Still, the test will tell all but I haven't been prescribed anything yet. My appointment is next week.

Sports don't really grab me. I have enjoyed swimming at times but it's out of my budget at the moment. It never helped with my memory though, I've never seen a bad day at work as a problem. I've just got on with it and done the best job I could do under any circumstances that were the circumstances at the time. Yet, all through my life I have never remembered the challenges I have faced at work, school or socially.

In a sense I am a little worried as I don't want to start seeing a problem in my everyday life, I've had enough of problems, and too big as well to handle. I think that people who have never felt depressed or suffered from PTSD don't really have an idea of what a true challenge is.

 

[to7update]

The issue with foods that have the B12 is that they don't supply the amount we need, so we are better off taking supplements, along with a balanced diet, that is extremely important too.

There are quite a few sports. For example, I was never fascinated by swimming or football, but I love cycling and tennis, so maybe it's a matter of finding the right sport? Good for the body, good for the mind!

Yeah, I think you are right. I had mild depressions, so I know the feeling, but nothing too serious. At the same time, it's in our hands to face and overcome that challenge.

 

[Alex]

Sadly, the loss of memory can be a side effect from the medication that is recommended. It can be hard, but the best thing to do is to write things down and to take thigns slowly. I do have a good memory, but when you are anxious and depressed it gets affected and your mind has to focus on other things.

As we get older out memory can suffer too, but people do things like crosswords and word puzzles to help the mind. It's worth a try.

 

[janemariesayed]

Well I had my appointment with my Doctor and got the results of my blood test. All five tests were normal, including the vitamin B12 test that I had. So the Doctor has put down my bad memory to depression and PTSD. He is arranging weekly counselling sessions for me to go to which will be in my village so I don't have to travel far.

I'm a little scared, but also I'm feeling good about it. I'm actually looking forward to finally getting the help that I deserve.

 

[Kaynil]

Doctor has put down my bad memory to depression and PTSD. He is arranging weekly counselling sessions for me to go to which will be in my village so I don't have to travel far.

I'm a little scared, but also I'm feeling good about it. I'm actually looking forward to finally getting the help that I deserve.

It sounds good. I really hope everything goes nicely with those sessions. Glad that they are going to be close to you.

 

[janemariesayed]

It sounds good. I really hope everything goes nicely with those sessions. Glad that they are going to be close to you.

I think it's going to be wonderful to finally get the help that I need @Kaynil. It will certainly give me an experience which I will be very happy to share in this community. I hope by sharing my experiences that I can be of help to someone else who is suffering too. I am so happy as well that the sessions will not only be weekly but also close to home so I don't have to travel far. Especially if it was a hard session and I have to get back home with a dry face because being in a public place!

 

[Kaynil]

I think it's going to be wonderful to finally get the help that I need @Kaynil. It will certainly give me an experience which I will be very happy to share in this community. I hope by sharing my experiences that I can be of help to someone else who is suffering too. I am so happy as well that the sessions will not only be weekly but also close to home so I don't have to travel far. Especially if it was a hard session and I have to get back home with a dry face because being in a public place!

Yeah! I am sure you will get some pretty good insight you will be able to share with us around. In the meanwhile focus on yourself and take it easy.
And yes, I don't like to have to be out after feeling vulnerable so it is nice you won't have to travel far, it will make things more bearable when you're not feeling in your best disposition.

 

[Concernedgal]

I can totally relate . I experience the same thing with my depression . My doctor told me that when you are depressed it usually means that your stressed too . Your body tends to release a damaging hormone called"cortisone " . She told me that cortisone can damage your brain cells effecting memory. I can remember certain things in my life but, I probably couldn't tell you what I was doing a month ago today. Kinda sucks. Makes me feel dumb sometimes.