Hows Your Short Term Memory?

I have a very bad short term memory.

I think mostly because 90% of the time most of my mental energy goes to anxiety or racing thoughts from the OCD / spacing off or dissociating.

Sometimes I'll put a pen down for like one second, than I'll see something that triggers me or start spacing off and completely forget where I put it.

Or someone will give me directions or ask me to go grab something and I'll completely forget what they said while I was on my way to do it.


My long term memory is great though. I can remember every little thing.


It's a huge struggle though for day to day life. I've been trying many things to help it. Do anyone of you guys have this struggle?

My memory is odd.

I'll remember details, the smallest kinds of things, about people/events/you name it. But I won't remember the big picture.

Like for example I'll remember I wore a purple dress one day when I was little and went to a park.
But what happened at the park? Who was I with? What is the significance? I.D.K.

I also have some skimps in short term memory like you described, but I think little lapses are common in people.

My short term memory is pretty bad, my long term memory is great.

Yep crimson. That is a big struggle for me too. You can tell me your name and the next sentence out of my mouth is, "what is your name?"

I have people get really mad at me for forgetting things and them having to repeat something they just said.

I couldn't tell you what I ate yesterday. The older I get the worse it gets.

I have a pretty poor memory. I wonder if I can exercise it. I don't know if it is from ruminations or because of the ECT.

My short term memory is pretty bad but what is worse is the lack of continuity.. so i can remember stuff, i just can't put things into a continuous order. Did i do this then that.. or that then this?? hmm.. also for things that happen daily or often like ironing, taking vitamins, eating.. i often can't remember if i did them.. because i remember clearly doing it.. just can't be sure if that was today or yesterday or 2 days ago it is a very serious when dealing with drugs. And it can happen so quick that literally i have the pill bottle in my hand and i'm thinking.. did i just take one or was that yesterday.. arg.. i have a painful system where i write the date down in my pill book, get the bottle and pills out, take them only with a pen in my hand then immediately after popping them in my month, check off the date. if there is no check mark next to the date, i have not taken them and it's safe to take them.. i know.. i know.. it's stressful. i never take them then get the pen.. i can forget between taking them and writing it down!!!

Almost non-existent. And even if I write something down, I usually lose the piece of paper! I have a system - blackboard in the kitchen, cork board in the office, but I usually block them out of my vision. Memory for learning is great; I remember languages, learn computer programs with ease etc. But my short term memory is shot. I think it's because I'm permanently in fight or flight. I have no time to remember details such as appointments, names, etc. It's a good job I don't have children, I'd probably leave them at the supermarket or forget to pick them up from school.

ikhouvanvlaai wrote:My memory is odd.

I'll remember details, the smallest kinds of things, about people/events/you name it. But I won't remember the big picture.

Like for example I'll remember I wore a purple dress one day when I was little and went to a park.
But what happened at the park? Who was I with? What is the significance? I.D.K.

I also have some skimps in short term memory like you described, but I think little lapses are common in people.

This is like me. these last months it is really upsetting me a lot that i dont remeber hardly anything about my life. I have to admitt i smoke cannabis again this last year and i know this can cause problems with short term memory...but its like its my whole life that pretty much ever happened. Its like i know things but i dont know how i know them because i cant remember. I went away to live for 18 months back late in 2007. Even who i was or things i did before then its like a big blank. it makes me really sad that everyone always talks about their memories in great detail, like they can still see it happening...if i have a memory it is usually just an image and thats it.

I have terrible short term memory, but excellent long term--I can remember EXACTLY what you said so I can throw it in your face a year later.

To the point of amnesia, my short term is really wonky. I don't know if it's medications (Wellbutrin/Gabapentin/Klonopin)...I've been medicated most of the past decade, so it could play into it. Or the past abuse of alcohol and pot? Or the fact that I can only really be bothered to remember the things that I want to remember.

Unfortunately, I think it's the last sentence. I try to remember things for other people, or things that need doing, but in the end I'm pretty selfish and only remember what excites me.

Wait--no...I even forget to watch my favourite shows. Or to eat.

So, yeah, my memory is messed up for sure, but I still say...easiest to remember the selfish stuff. Or things like doctor appointments for SOs/loved ones--I worry a lot.

my memory's real bad