HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Need help with overcoming short term memory loss due to adhd

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/17/2011 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
I spent hours the other day preparing a huge international order for a retail store at work. normally after finishing a task I take it off my list but surprise surprise- I forgot. So the next day I come into work and see that task on my list and I freak out. It was supposed to be done yesterday! Omg omg! So I start blowing up the sales reps phone to tell him and ask him where the boxes were at, cause I was looking for them and he is floored at how I could not remember that I had done it already. Naturally I was humiliated. Does this sound familiar? How do I change this problem? Im only 26. I was perscribed adderall but I havent started yet. will it help?
Posted 3/17/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
The medications helped short term memory loss for only one member of our family. The one who needed it the least!
Having written or electronic back-up systems for recording tasks with completion dates is the only thing that worked for our family. My husband uses a Franklin Covey organizer (both electronic and hard copy (they are synced so he doesn't have to duplicate anything). We have been using the Franklin Covey organizers for 22 years. All of our children use them too.
I am the "enabler" in the family. I write down a master schedule for everyone and print it out once a week for placement on the fridge. People update it when they have changes. We have four children so this keeps everyone informed.
Your therapist should work with you to develop memory plan back-ups. Short term memory difficulties are my husband's greatest challenge. The solution has been to inform him verbally and through e-mails to his i-phone. I also discovered he had a better chance of remembering things, if I made sure he was looking directly at me while I spoke. If he is multi-tasking, when I tell him something it simply won't stick in his brain.
Don't be too embarrassed about what happened at work. Everyone makes mistakes. If anything, the situation made you look very responsible because you had already taken care of the task.
You haven't mentioned anxiety or panic problems but these can go hand in hand with the memory frustrations. Please be sure to talk with your therapist about this.
I hope you can keep a sense of humor about yourself when these things happen. Being able to say "silly me, how funny" is much better than persecuting yourself for mistakes.
I hope your day gets better.
SZm
Posted 3/18/2011 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. Your post helped to re assure myself.I really do have a sense of humor about it to others but I get down on myself when im alone I have to admit. I keep notes on email and on a pad of paper of my to dos already as it is and since that instance I started keeping track of the tasks ive done that weren't on my to do list. I meet with a specialist in three weeks so I look forward to his recommendations and in the mean time turn to forums. Id also like to note I just found out today that my boss who I assist is adhd as well. So that comforting to me. All smiles over here
Posted 3/18/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Genavee

Yes this has happened to me many time over my lifetime. As a young person and a not so young person. I might wake up in the middle of the night and not remember for sure that I followed through on a major or a minor event.

The other day I could not remember paying our February house insurance. I went into panic mode and looked through the check book not seeing what was right in front of my eyes. I finally called the insurance company and they verified I was up to date.

I think when we doubt ourselves our mind goes into panic mode as we
immediately assume we made a mistake and the "what if's ? " kick in.

Trust in yourself and know that we are all human and even if we make a mistake, forgive ourselves and move forward.

Kindly,

Kitt
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply