Has anyone suffered memory loss throu... - Major Depressive ...

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Support

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Has anyone suffered memory loss through depression anxiety and panic disorder πŸ€”πŸ˜«

Hopeful-Mama profile image
β€’29 Replies

To keep this simple to the best of my ability, my depression started when I was in 3rd grade, now 46 and a life full of traumatic events as my bio isn't even half of what I've gone through. About 5 years ago I started realizing my memory in even doing simple things just wasn't there and has progressed tremendously since and simply functioning each day with even little things that need doing doesn't happen for me anymore. Feeling as if my brain itself isn't working properly in different areas and it's affected everything. I'm officially taking step one today and getting established with a family doctor in hopes that they can figure out what's going on and fix me to where I can function and even be able to work again as I need to be able to help to support my family.

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Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mama
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29 Replies
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Cecethat profile image
Cecethat

Yes absolutely! My memory has decreased for sure. It is definitely a chemical thing. Anxiety and depression are powerful and can effect our brain function.

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toCecethat

It took me years to talk with anyone about it as it's progressed to where I'm just not feeling good at all. I find myself lost in even trying to do the simplest things. They're going to do an Mri and have me set up for an evaluation but I can't get in with the psychiatrist til June. It's time to hopefully treat the depression and anxiety. I've read these things can be reversed through psychotherapy and retraining the brain which I have set up. It really is a rough thing to face, my prayers go out to you through each day πŸ™

Cecethat profile image
Cecethatβ€’ in reply toHopeful-Mama

Yes it is. Many people do not understand the severity of anxiety and depression for people. Mine is severe. It is hard. I isolate because people just do not understand how bad my pain and fatigue is.

PeaceNeed profile image
PeaceNeedβ€’ in reply toCecethat

Im in same situation.

I feel like I'm the punchline of a joke.

Q: Has anyone suffered memory loss through depression anxiety and panic disorder? (Or any of a host of other reasons, notabily pain. I guess it'd be rude to spell "pain" all in caps, but it sure feels that way.)

A: Uhm. I think so. I don't remember.

No laughing emoji. This ain't funny. Ever.

Uhm... Does anyone know where I left my teacup?

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toNothing_but_books

It's definitely not a joke, trust me I've had my share of comments due to it as it affects even little things each day. I've read things like this can be reversed but I guess time will tell. Prayers are with you through your own struggle πŸ™

Nothing_but_books profile image
Nothing_but_booksβ€’ in reply toHopeful-Mama

Thank you. I hope your work to find an answer pays off.

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toNothing_but_books

Your welcome! I'm going with...it has to as it's my only way out πŸ™

obst profile image
obst

Yes i have severe depression and anxiety and am actually on disability for my mental health problems. I have a terrible problem with my memory. My psychologist is trying to help me . He says that when your brain gets so jumbled up ( my words not his , his words were technical) That it becomes harder for you to focus on simple tasks or remember things. So we were on ways to help. He sid walking everyday just in you rneighborhood can help clear your mind. I have started doing this and it is somewhat working. Also finding a hobby or something to distract. For me it is books I read constantly. Anyway I hope that helps. But I totally understand the frustration. I cant really remember what I did 2 days ago.

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toobst

My thoughts and prayers are with you through this. Financially I really need to just be able to work again and haven't been able to for many years. I've tried talking to different doctors, even had one tell me, the kidney first, we all go through crap it's part of life 😬 well turns out I have a porencephalic cyst on the right anterior lobe of brain causing pressure and affecting my nervous system, memory, emotions and thought process. Not to mention the constant migraines. I see a neurologist in July to find out more and what can be done. I already suffer from depression anxiety and panic disorder and kind of a huge mess now as each day is a struggle. I meet with a psychotherapist in June. I'm just really needing something to be helped to relieve this even a little bit.

PeaceNeed profile image
PeaceNeedβ€’ in reply toHopeful-Mama

I can only offer moral support and let you know that the pain people like us suffer is real debilitating and the refusal of normal (use the term loosely) to understand this increaes pain we feel,

DesertLove profile image
DesertLove

Hello! As others have commented, memory issues are definitely a side effect of depression/anxiety. Before I got help, I thought something was seriously wrong with me. A conversation would be completely forgotten as soon as I walked away. With high levels of stress, anxiety and/or depression, your brain just doesn't function normally. Your brain cannot focus on, retain or recall information properly. I agree with the walks. Meditation and finding a calming hobby can also help. Of course, being in our 40's, our memory will probably never be what it was!

PeaceNeed profile image
PeaceNeedβ€’ in reply toDesertLove

Im 64 I constantly misplace things and forget appointments.

simplyme2023 profile image
simplyme2023

Hi!

Yes, I have experienced memory loss with my depression and anxiety. It sort of feels like I have a black hole in my brain that things fall into. For me, I think it started when I shoved my trauma in a mental closet and slammed the door. Best way I can explain it is, the door couldn’t hold my pain anymore and it became a black hole that now takes things I want to remember. If a memory gets too close it sucks it down. I am on medication, have my diagnosis, and am in therapy. I still struggle. It’s why I am here. Signed up today because I don’t thing anyone else in my life truly gets it although I know my husband tries with all he has.

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply tosimplyme2023

I'm so sorry dear and keeping you in prayer. It's hard for others to fully understand but having them there to support us is huge. I thought I've closed them doors to all the trauma within but seems it all cones to and poor out at times. I have an apt in June with a psychotherapist for evaluation and found out I have a porencephalic cyst on right anterior lobe of brain causing alot of issues and it's just so hard to get through each day anymore. I meet with a neurologist in July...seems so far away

PAST2FUTURE profile image
PAST2FUTURE

Without a doubt, depression and anxiety are just but a few emotions that possibly affect all functions in the brain. Powerful emotions cause different chemicals to be released, and once the brain has been touched, the brain recalls the emotions without any reasoning and scrambles the thought process. However I believe medication has also played its part in scrambling the brain, myself I have difficulty remembering short memories but get overwelmed with past memories taking the place of recent ones.

PeaceNeed profile image
PeaceNeedβ€’ in reply toPAST2FUTURE

My problem is that i remember too much and not even sure what i remember is even true.

Galaxywirlwind profile image
Galaxywirlwind

Same problem . My brain freezes.i can't think of remember alot .I'm on sertraline .I'm currently trying to declutter my life and home .just got to find the key I guess .

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toGalaxywirlwind

It makes for long days for sure. My prayers are with you

Mofro profile image
Mofro

If anxiety is chronic and severe enough, it can definitely affect our memory and our executive functioning. I'm just such a case, and it's been worrying me quite a bit. During my last visit with my counselor, I told her I was worried about getting dementia (yes, because I'm getting older and my mother had it). She told me there was a test we could do in about 10 minutes. When we were done she said that it could just be my anxiety, which really didn't take much of a load off. Having MDD also, I'm sure that doesn't help my outlook. But hey, that's just me.

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toMofro

I guess we both have had the same thoughts because alzheimers runs in my family and I've mentioned possibly an early onset of it. They have me set up for an evaluation with a psychotherapist in June and I just got results from an mri which showed a porencephalic cyst on right anterior lobe of brain causing alot of issues. I can't get in to see the neurologist til July so looks like I'll be pushing through til they take care of that part.

obst profile image
obst

I have definately had memory problems. I can barely remember what I did last week. I guess the way I feel is messing up with my thoughts. sometimes I get confused , cant find the words I want to say. I feel like an idiot

Hopeful-Mama profile image
Hopeful-Mamaβ€’ in reply toobst

Oh how much I can relate and my heart goes out to you and everyone else facing these things. I feel each day takes a bit more away from me and it's become like a chore just to get through my days. I've found out recently I have a porencephalic cyst on the right anterior lobe of brain and its causing so many issues but I couldn't get in to see a neurologist until July.

Raelyn71 profile image
Raelyn71

Hello , yes I have memory loss and I also have been experiencing a lack of cognitive comprehensive. For instance at work I will spend more time just staring at the computer screen trying to make sense of what I am suppose to do and what I am look at even with the directions in front of me. I don't understand it. It takes me a good couple of hours of trying to understand before I get it. It is a terrible thing. It is so frustrating because it's stuff I do everyday.

Yea, I deal with that as well. You have to talk to your provider. Keep a journal or a notebook near you. Try using a recorder Or ask if you qualify for a caption telephone.

Puppielove profile image
Puppielove

I am 54 and struggling with my memory. Its so bad I don't remember loaning my daughter $4000 several months ago, but I also don't remember day to day conversations. My psychiatric doctor says it will get better in time. I sure hope so.

Puppielove profile image
Puppielove

I am experiencing this too! It is so frustrating.

SleepyheadinGA profile image
SleepyheadinGA

YES ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

corruss profile image
corruss

I've had periods of memory loss while on a particular SSRI. Stopped taking it. Got better.

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