Amnesia and other memory disorders

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about memory lapses—not like full-blown amnesia or losing your memory permanently, but more like those weird glitches that happen every now and then. I’m honestly not even sure how to put this into words properly. Lately, I’ve been having these moments where I just forget things, but it’s not like everything is gone; it’s more like these random gaps occur. I don't know the pattern or why it happens, but I’ll find myself doing the exact same thing multiple times because I genuinely can't remember that I already did it just minutes before. I know it probably sounds totally crazy or even kind of sick, but I’m actually being really serious about this. I just haven't known who to turn to for advice, so I figured I’d try asking here first. Any help would be huge, thanks.

It all comes down to the manufacturing year and how much they squeezed out of those tiny gray cells during production.
And honestly? They’re basically dying off at this point—they've just had enough of the endless stream of nonsense we feed them every single day.😂

Ugh... I'm 19, and I used to have a photographic memory. Seriously, I remembered everything—dates, tiny details, you name it. Lately, though, it feels like my brain is just leaking information... I can't keep track of plans, studying is a total nightmare because nothing sticks, and then there's today. I know I promised some professor at college I’d email them something, but I have zero clue what it was or even who it was... I actually tried one of those online memory games, and I couldn't even remember a simple 6-card layout. Am I getting early-onset dementia? At nineteen? What is happening to me? Who should I talk to for advice, and what kind of doctor should I see?
Thanks in advance, before I forget... 🤔

I’d give you a proper answer if I could, but it looks like you forgot where you actually posted this question. Honestly, just head over to a CVS or Walgreens and ask for some help—they carry herbal supplements specifically designed to boost focus and sharpen your memory.

Something’s bothering you, maybe... you're just burnt out... or on some crazy crash diet?
Try some relaxation exercises... maybe yoga... or something that actually makes you happy...
If this keeps up—go see your primary care doctor and get a referral for blood work (could be an iron deficiency) or even hit up a neurologist. If everything comes back fine, it might be your kidneys acting up... who knows, there are a million possibilities...🙂Good luck.

Heh, I haven't forgotten where I left my question... I used to drink Guaraná once in a while, but I’m way too sensitive to it. It hits me way too hard...
The truth is, I’m just totally overwhelmed right now with finals and everything else... I don't buy the iron deficiency thing because I eat really healthy (tons of fresh fruit and veggies), and a diet isn't even an option since I'm already borderline underweight (my BMI is 18.5)...
It’s probably just the exams and the lack of sleep. Between the headaches, the insomnia, and the nightmares whenever I actually manage to drift off... if this keeps up, I'll be heading straight to my doctor... thanks for the advice 🙂

I felt the exact same way, it’ll pass 😉 ...

... as soon as you stumble upon some other health issue 😁

Greetings to everyone.
I find myself grappling with some rather serious issues regarding my memory and my ability to concentrate, so I suppose I should provide a bit more context to help you understand the situation. Back in high school, I was a fairly mediocre student; I attended a certain high school—honestly, I am almost too embarrassed to even mention which one—where academic rigor was non-existent. Grades didn't really matter, teachers were lenient, and nobody gave a damn about a GPA. I probably studied maybe once a month, if that. On top of that, I fell in with a pretty questionable crowd, and I spent a significant amount of time regularly smoking marijuana, which, as you know, is quite popular among the youth. As graduation approached, I had this sudden realization that I had no interest in what I’d signed up for and that I wasn't going to achieve anything with that mindset. So, after finishing my diploma, I decided to put an end to all that nonsense, turn my life around, and enroll in college. I chose Chemical Engineering, which is what I am currently studying, and I started studying with a level of intensity I had never experienced before, especially since the entrance exams focused heavily on chemistry and math. That was the first time I truly realized that things weren't going to be easy, as I struggled significantly. Still, I managed to get in, despite my high school GPA dragging down my standing. Once I actually started classes, I began studying religiously and even signed up for a speed-reading course. That is when everything really clicked for me, or rather, failed to click. I never actually mastered the technique because I am incredibly easily distracted and simply cannot maintain deep concentration. After passing a few exams, I noticed a pattern: after a certain amount of time passes, I realize I have completely forgotten the material I worked so hard to learn and pass. It remains the same way today. Despite everything, I am passing my exams and don't have any failed credits, but I have to wonder at what cost. I spend entire days just studying and studying, only for eighty percent of it to evaporate from my brain within a few months. Last year, I went to see a doctor and a psychiatrist to explain everything; I underwent various tests, physical exams, and consultations, but everything came back perfectly normal. There was nothing unusual detected, and none of the results showed anything out of the ordinary. In fact, my IQ is well above average, but I suppose that is useless if I just forget everything so rapidly. I have even tried taking Lecithin, but it hasn't helped at all. I can't help but feel that this all stems back to that period when I was using drugs, and that might be the root cause... I considered going to a specialized clinic for more comprehensive testing, but I suspect my current finances won't allow for that. Regardless, I am feeling quite despondent and am in need of some kind of assistance. If anyone here has had similar experiences or perhaps knows of some solutions to these problems... well, I would appreciate it, because I don't think I can continue like this. Thank you in advance.!!!

casualscout20 said:Greetings to everyone.
I find myself grappling with some rather serious issues regarding my memory and my ability to concentrate, so I suppose I should provide a bit more context to help you understand the situation. Back in high school, I was a fairly mediocre student; I attended a certain high school—honestly, I am almost too embarrassed to even mention which one—where academic rigor was non-existent. Grades didn't really matter, teachers were lenient, and nobody gave a damn about a GPA. I probably studied maybe once a month, if that. On top of that, I fell in with a pretty questionable crowd, and I spent a significant amount of time regularly smoking marijuana, which, as you know, is quite popular among the youth. As graduation approached, I had this sudden realization that I had no interest in what I’d signed up for and that I wasn't going to achieve anything with that mindset. So, after finishing my diploma, I decided to put an end to all that nonsense, turn my life around, and enroll in college. I chose Chemical Engineering, which is what I am currently studying, and I started studying with a level of intensity I had never experienced before, especially since the entrance exams focused heavily on chemistry and math. That was the first time I truly realized that things weren't going to be easy, as I struggled significantly. Still, I managed to get in, despite my high school GPA dragging down my standing. Once I actually started classes, I began studying religiously and even signed up for a speed-reading course. That is when everything really clicked for me, or rather, failed to click. I never actually mastered the technique because I am incredibly easily distracted and simply cannot maintain deep concentration. After passing a few exams, I noticed a pattern: after a certain amount of time passes, I realize I have completely forgotten the material I worked so hard to learn and pass. It remains the same way today. Despite everything, I am passing my exams and don't have any failed credits, but I have to wonder at what cost. I spend entire days just studying and studying, only for eighty percent of it to evaporate from my brain within a few months. Last year, I went to see a doctor and a psychiatrist to explain everything; I underwent various tests, physical exams, and consultations, but everything came back perfectly normal. There was nothing unusual detected, and none of the results showed anything out of the ordinary. In fact, my IQ is well above average, but I suppose that is useless if I just forget everything so rapidly. I have even tried taking Lecithin, but it hasn't helped at all. I can't help but feel that this all stems back to that period when I was using drugs, and that might be the root cause... I considered going to a specialized clinic for more comprehensive testing, but I suspect my current finances won't allow for that. Regardless, I am feeling quite despondent and am in need of some kind of assistance. If anyone here has had similar experiences or perhaps knows of some solutions to these problems... well, I would appreciate it, because I don't think I can continue like this. Thank you in advance.!!!

That's because you never actually learned how to study with comprehension. You are essentially the textbook definition of someone who just "crams" and then grinds through rote memorization.
You'd be better off diving deeper into the material. Try studying with someone else so you can actually discuss what you've read. That's the only way it'll stick.

I’ve been dealing with this exact same issue since elementary school. It followed me through high school, and now it's dragging me down in college. The only difference is that back in grade school and high school, you could actually get away with constant repetition to make things stick. In university? That’s impossible. I’m currently stuck in a Chemical Engineering program—not doing particularly well, honestly—and while people tell me I should switch majors, what’s the point if the underlying problem remains the same? I see you're still tackling exams, and I have to say, props to you. College isn't easy. I tried seeing a therapist too, but it felt like a total waste of time. It all boiled down to these vague conversations that didn't seem to address anything at all. Just a massive drain on my time and money for zero results. My memory issues likely stem from some past traumas that left me dealing with panic attacks and constant anxiety. Low self-esteem is another part of the package. Solving this feels like an uphill battle because I don't believe medication is the real answer, and standard speed-reading techniques aren't going to work given the mental hurdles I'm facing.

Angela Wright said:That's because you never actually learned how to study with comprehension. You are essentially the textbook definition of someone who just "crams" and then grinds through rote memorization.
You'd be better off diving deeper into the material. Try studying with someone else so you can actually discuss what you've read. That's the only way it'll stick.

I wouldn't really call myself a nerd, because I guess I do understand the material perfectly fine; I can breeze through math problems and complex equations without much trouble, so it isn't that. It's more like... everything just slips out of my head after a while. It feels as though I have some sort of limited capacity where, every time I try to take in something new, I end up losing a little bit of what I learned before.😕

Honestly, even back in my high school psych classes, they used to hammer home that forgetting curve theory... basically, if you aren't constantly revisiting what you've learned, it just evaporates. After about a month, you're lucky if you've got 20% of it left rattling around in your brain. It turns out that old Latin saying, *repetitio est mater studiorum*, actually holds some water after all.

Anyway, if you're heading into your sophomore year... hit me up. We’ve got a study group going, so maybe we can help you out a bit. Best of luck to you, man.

casualscout20 said:I wouldn't really call myself a nerd, because I guess I do understand the material perfectly fine; I can breeze through math problems and complex equations without much trouble, so it isn't that. It's more like... everything just slips out of my head after a while. It feels as though I have some sort of limited capacity where, every time I try to take in something new, I end up losing a little bit of what I learned before.😕

Ever heard the old saying that repetition is the mother of all learning? It's all still tucked away in there somewhere; you probably just need a little spark to trigger the memory.

casualscout20 said:Greetings to everyone.
I find myself grappling with some rather serious issues regarding my memory and my ability to concentrate, so I suppose I should provide a bit more context to help you understand the situation. Back in high school, I was a fairly mediocre student; I attended a certain high school—honestly, I am almost too embarrassed to even mention which one—where academic rigor was non-existent. Grades didn't really matter, teachers were lenient, and nobody gave a damn about a GPA. I probably studied maybe once a month, if that. On top of that, I fell in with a pretty questionable crowd, and I spent a significant amount of time regularly smoking marijuana, which, as you know, is quite popular among the youth. As graduation approached, I had this sudden realization that I had no interest in what I’d signed up for and that I wasn't going to achieve anything with that mindset. So, after finishing my diploma, I decided to put an end to all that nonsense, turn my life around, and enroll in college. I chose Chemical Engineering, which is what I am currently studying, and I started studying with a level of intensity I had never experienced before, especially since the entrance exams focused heavily on chemistry and math. That was the first time I truly realized that things weren't going to be easy, as I struggled significantly. Still, I managed to get in, despite my high school GPA dragging down my standing. Once I actually started classes, I began studying religiously and even signed up for a speed-reading course. That is when everything really clicked for me, or rather, failed to click. I never actually mastered the technique because I am incredibly easily distracted and simply cannot maintain deep concentration. After passing a few exams, I noticed a pattern: after a certain amount of time passes, I realize I have completely forgotten the material I worked so hard to learn and pass. It remains the same way today. Despite everything, I am passing my exams and don't have any failed credits, but I have to wonder at what cost. I spend entire days just studying and studying, only for eighty percent of it to evaporate from my brain within a few months. Last year, I went to see a doctor and a psychiatrist to explain everything; I underwent various tests, physical exams, and consultations, but everything came back perfectly normal. There was nothing unusual detected, and none of the results showed anything out of the ordinary. In fact, my IQ is well above average, but I suppose that is useless if I just forget everything so rapidly. I have even tried taking Lecithin, but it hasn't helped at all. I can't help but feel that this all stems back to that period when I was using drugs, and that might be the root cause... I considered going to a specialized clinic for more comprehensive testing, but I suspect my current finances won't allow for that. Regardless, I am feeling quite despondent and am in need of some kind of assistance. If anyone here has had similar experiences or perhaps knows of some solutions to these problems... well, I would appreciate it, because I don't think I can continue like this. Thank you in advance.!!!

I think you might be overthinking this... we all forget stuff eventually. It's like me—once I pass a course, a while goes by and I have no clue what I actually studied. It's the same for everyone else too. A buddy of mine graduated a year ago, and he told me he barely remembers anything he learned; it all just vanished. Sure, you keep some bits and pieces, but that's totally normal. Don't sweat it. Honestly, I can't even remember what I did yesterday, let alone what I did weeks ago.🤷

What actually happens when someone just loses about 10 minutes of short-term memory out of nowhere?
To clarify, I’m talking about my dad. We were just hanging out watching TV—he was lying down—and we were having a totally normal conversation. Then, all of a sudden, he starts rambling about stuff that makes zero sense. It lasted maybe two minutes before he snapped out of it, but then he had no clue what day it was, what happened five minutes ago, or even where he was for the New Year's Eve party or anything else from the last few days. His memory slowly started coming back to him.

To whom it may concern,

It’s difficult to speculate without a proper clinical evaluation. One possibility for this sudden, fleeting period of confusion could be a TIA—a transient ischemic attack. Think of it as a temporary disruption in blood flow that starves specific parts of the brain of oxygen and nutrients. It’s significant because it serves as a warning sign for a potential stroke.

Another thought is that this might be some form of cerebral seizure. To be clear, I'm not necessarily talking about epilepsy—which typically requires repeated episodes—but rather a singular neurological event that can stem from various underlying causes.

I strongly recommend getting your father to see as soon as possible a neurologist for a full workup!

Best regards. 🙂

Thanks.

I don't really deal with any of that personally, but I was browsing through some movies recently, like

50 First Dates
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343660/?ref_=nv_sr_1
It's about this girl who gets into an accident—basically hits a part of her brain responsible for forming new memories. She remembers everything up until the crash, but anything new just... doesn't stick.
So, every single morning she wakes up thinking it’s Sunday, completely unaware that anything even happened...
Anyway, it’s a romance, mostly showing how the guy tries to win her over and how they eventually work things out. He actually makes her a video tape to show her what happened, what she missed, and all the good stuff she can't remember...

There's another one similar to it
Remember Sunday http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2770480/?ref_=nv_sr_1
In that one, you've got a guy dealing with memory loss—pretty similar vibe to the first movie, just a different spin on the story...

The Vow
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606389/
A couple gets into a wreck, and the woman loses at least fifteen years of her memory, so she has to basically relearn everything and get to know her own surroundings all over again. It's hardest on her husband, though... because she doesn't love him anymore—to her, he's just a stranger. Luckily, it has a happy ending🙂

I don't want to go totally off-topic since this isn't really a thread for movies or shows—it's supposed to be about health—but apparently, one of those films was based on a true story about a woman who actually went through it. As for the first two, I'm not entirely sure... nothing really says.
Does anything like this happen here in the States? If so, maybe someone could share their experiences... if you actually know anyone going through something similar...

Hello, everyone.
My fiancé was involved in a car accident last year.
He suffered a severe head injury and spent some time in a coma.
He is currently in recovery and showing improvement, but he is struggling with memory loss.
It has been incredibly difficult for him to process. He avoids seeing his friends because while he recognizes their faces, he has no memory of any shared experiences with them.
Additionally, his mobility is limited; he is attending physical therapy sessions, which should hopefully lead to progress.

Has anyone here navigated a similar situation?
The doctors haven't given us much guidance beyond scheduled check-ups every six months.

How can we best manage this transition?
I want to be as supportive as possible, but beyond being a listener, I feel like I have very little to offer.

Are there specific organizations or support groups designed for these kinds of circumstances?

Thank you for any advice you can provide.