HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hi

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/9/2010 8:01 AM (GMT 0)
 

Basically, I forget a lot of stuff. Conversations I had that weren't very long ago, conversations I had 5 min ago. Lots of things. This makes my husband frustrated because I'll get mad about him doing something without talking to me and he'll get mad and say that he HAS talked about it with me and I said it was okay and I don't remember at all having the conversation.

I forget a lot during mid-sentence just about every other conversation I just stop and keep going "um, um..um..um.." then it may or may not come back.

I get really paranoid about other people.  I hate when people notice me - I like to be in the background of things- but at the same time its the fear and anxiety that makes me that way. At work, I do the dumbest little mistakes and when I'm questioned I feel like an idiot. Sometimes I just cry because I know they all think I am dumb. My self-esteem issues do not help whatsoever.

I never been to a doctor before for anything- and I honestly don't want to- any kind of meds for anxiety or depression I dont like.. I dont want to take any of them because i know people that have taken it and they seem worse off then before and that is a pattern of people i see so I dont want any part in that...

..So basically, what do i do?

Thanks.

Posted 12/9/2010 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
tiredofanxiety,

If you haven't realized this yet, you will learn a lot here in the A&P forum. Our members are wise and wonderful, caring and supportive. I am so happy you joined HealingWell.

I know this must be very frightening for you so let me see if I can help you understand short term memory loss.

Memory loss has multiple causes including a number of chronic medical and psychological conditions, trauma, and medications. 

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or fatigue. This indicates that the brain or human mind is subject to a lot work, more than it can handle. So, stress basically involves overworking of the brain, which results in mental fatigue. In order to overcome this situation, the brain needs to rest and slow down. Stress affects memory and learning ability of an individual. This is the reason why we fail to recall or learn new things when we are mentally stressed. To prevent stress related loss of memory and learning ability, one has to address the factors that increase stress and anxiety and deal with them.

Anxiety and depression can cause chemical imbalance in brain which severely stress the memory. Concentration is also affected, leading to memory loss.

I would really like to see you make an appointment with your physician for a medical screening exam and perhaps refer you to a therapist .

I know this scares you but worrying about the short term memory loss is most likely causing you more stress. 

You are not dumb,  you are a person with anxiety and with help I think you will overcome many of your issues. Try to stop thinking negative things about yourself.  You are a awesome individual like nobody else.  If you're used to focusing on your shortcomings, start thinking about positive aspects of yourself that outweigh them. When you catch yourself being too critical, counter it by saying something positive about yourself. Each day, write down three things about yourself that make you happy.  This is a great start to building your self-esteem.

Again a warm welcome to HealingWell.

Kindly,

Kitt




 
Posted 12/9/2010 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome!

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with your memory. Definitely, like Kitt said, it does NOT mean you're dumb! After all, when people are "spacey" from the flu and can't remember, we don't immediately chalk them up as dumb, because it's from something out of their control. Could be the same for you - from something you can't control, like anxiety.

I do encourage you to see your doctor for a check-up, just to be thorough. If he/ she suggests medication, you can certainly say that you're concerned about the effects you've seen in other people, and that you want to try other approaches right now. As far as that goes, you might want to try seeing a counselor for the anxiety. Many of us on the forum have treid therapy, and have had some improvement from it.

Hang in there, and keep us posted. You are not alone.

percycat
Posted 12/9/2010 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! You are not alone! I also suffer from lack of concentration and forgetfullness due to anxiety. When I get this way, I know that my stress load is getting to high, and it's time to manage it.
I have to agree with Kitt and P.C. that therapy is a really good idea for you to consider. It has helped so many people here, myself included. It will be beneficial both for the anxiety, and the negative self-view and thinking. If you are fearful of taking medications, this is a great long term alternative to try.
I also found that reading up on anxiety disorder helped me in my recovery. Get books from your library and get educated-this will help you learn tools to battle the problem, and help you to feel empowered.
I hope that you can get the help that you need. Stick around here too! There is great information, caring and support available anytime:)
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/9/2010 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum you have had some great advise and support and im glad you have found this site. Keep posting and we are all here to support you and can relate to what you are going through.

Ben
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply