Memory issues?

Dan'

I feel like this is the right corner of the internet to vent about a situation I've been dealing with.
So, for the last year or two, I’ve been struggling with some seriously intense issues regarding memory retention and processing information. It’s honestly embarrassing—it feels like I’m dealing with senior moments when I'm only 17... :S 😕
It spans everything from schoolwork to just basic daily life. When I sit down to study, nothing seems to stick, no matter how much effort I put in (and it's definitely not an issue with my study methods). Beyond academics, it’s even affecting general facts and random info. I’m genuinely at a loss as to what might be causing this, but it’s creating massive hurdles for me. Does anyone have any insight into what could be going on, or perhaps a recommendation for which type of specialist I should reach out to in order to get some answers?
One theory I have is that it might be a concentration issue, but even when I am fully locked in and focused, I sometimes struggle to retain a single, simple definition, let alone entire chapters of a textbook or larger sets of data. :S :/

You really ought to consider overhaulng your entire approach to studying. Instead of merely rote-memorizing definitions word-for-word—essentially just performing a mental copy-paste operation—try to actually grasp the underlying logic of what you’re reading. If you can visualize the core concept and truly internalize its meaning, you’ll start seeing much more profound results in how you retain information...

I used to be exactly the same way myself.😉

I know the feeling. That’s exactly how I approach it. Let’s be honest, though—there are certain subjects you just can't "comprehend" your way through; sometimes you just have to grind them into your brain via pure rote memorization. But the struggle isn't strictly limited to the learning process itself...😢

vividstag15 said:I get it. Seriously, I do. That’s my whole process. But let’s be real—there are certain things you just can't "understand" through logic; you just have to grind them into your brain until they stick. It's pure rote memorization at that point. But honestly, the learning part isn't even the biggest issue here...😢

Are you on some kind of substances or something?

The effects from drugs are non-existent, whereas anything involving alcohol is incredibly weak.

vividstag15 said:Man,

I feel like this is the right spot to vent about what’s going on with me.
So, for the last year or two, I’ve been dealing with some seriously heavy issues with memory and retaining info. It’s like I’m senile or something, even though I’m only 17 :S 😕
It hits everything from schoolwork—where I just can't make anything stick while studying (it's not how I'm studying, that part is fine)—to just basic everyday stuff. Honestly, I have no clue what's causing this, but it's making life incredibly difficult. Does anyone have an idea of what might be happening, or which kind of specialist I should go see to get this sorted out?
One thing I suspect is my focus, but even when I'm locked in, I struggle to memorize a single simple definition, let alone actual school subjects or any large chunks of data. :S :/

I went through a phase exactly like this once, and it turned out to be undiagnosed depression.

Check out this LINK and see if any of it sounds familiar. I didn't necessarily feel "depressed" in the classic sense, but I wasn't feeling great either, which really threw me off. I had pretty much all the other symptoms, though—insomnia, gaining weight easily, constant fatigue, a massive drop in concentration and memory, and especially struggling with school material that used to be easy for me. Even things I used to love felt like such a chore... Everything just felt off. Luckily, I'm past it now, but man, it was rough.

That said, maybe it isn't depression for you. You definitely need to talk to a pro—like a psychologist or a psychiatrist—to find out for sure. I'm just mentioning it because depression can be super sneaky and hard to recognize.

vividstag15 said:Man,

I figure this is the right spot to vent about my situation.
So, for the last year or two, I've been dealing with massive issues retaining data and information. It’s like I’m senile, but I’m only 17. :S 😕
From schoolwork and studying—where I can't retain anything no matter how I study (it isn't the method)—to just basic everyday facts. I honestly have no clue what the cause is, but it's causing huge problems. Does anyone know what might be going on or which specialist I should go see to fix this?
Maybe it's an attention issue? But even when I actually focus, I struggle to remember a single simple definition, let alone any actual school curriculum or larger chunks of info. :S :/

Hey!

I'm glad you started this thread, because I'm dealing with the exact same thing and have no idea how to solve it.
Unlike you, I'm a bit older... and frankly, I shouldn't be having these memory gaps at my age.

Basically, I have the same problem.
When I try to study, concentrating is a nightmare, and remembering the material or even the text I'm reading is nearly impossible. Even when I think I've mastered it, I hit a wall during an exam and my mind goes completely blank. I just can't recall anything. And trying to prep for two or more exams at once? Impossible.

I forget things that happened yesterday, two days ago, a week ago, a month ago....
I have total blackouts... It's like I was asleep. When someone recounts an event that I was actually part of, I can't remember a thing...

I can barely recall events from my childhood, or even elementary or high school...
It's like everything was wiped from my brain....

I don't have a drinking problem; I don't drink.
I've never touched drugs.
No smoking either...
I'm not depressed...

The worst part is that this has been going on for about a year or two now.

Who am I even supposed to talk to?

Please, give me some advice....

stormyheron4 said:I went through a phase like this once; it turned out to be a deep depression I hadn't even recognized at the time.

Here, take this LINK and see if any of this rings a bell for you. For me, it wasn't necessarily about feeling "sad" all the time—it was more of a flatline where nothing felt particularly good, which actually made things worse because it was so deceptive. But man, the physical symptoms were real: insomnia, gaining weight easily, that heavy sense of chronic fatigue, and a massive drop in focus and memory. I struggled to grasp concepts that used to be second nature to me... even things I used to genuinely enjoy just felt like a chore. Luckily, it passed, but it was an incredibly uncomfortable ride...

That said, it might not strictly be clinical depression, but you really shouldn't guess on that alone. You need a professional—like a psychologist or a psychiatrist—to weigh in. I’m only mentioning this so you consider it as a possibility, since depression is notoriously easy to overlook...

It's definitely possible it's depression, considering how much life has been hitting me hard over the last year... I am experiencing several of the symptoms you mentioned, like that constant exhaustion, the brain fog, and a near-total loss of motivation for everything.

vividstag15 said:It might actually be depression. I've been going through some seriously rough stuff over this past year... I'm definitely feeling those symptoms you mentioned, too. Like, constant exhaustion, my focus and memory are totally shot, and I just have zero motivation for basically anything.

Honestly, you should probably go talk to a therapist or a psychiatrist. Depression is brutal and it messes with your entire life. You might not see physical health issues right away, but look at where you're at—you'll be heading off to college in a year or two. If you can't study now, your grades are going to tank when you try to apply, and you still have to prep for entrance exams. It really matters whether you actually get into the program you want or not.

Depression isn't a life sentence, but you really need to find a pro to help you out. The fallout can be pretty nasty. In my own career, I had big ambitions, but because I couldn't find the drive to study or stay focused, I missed my shot. It took me forever to make peace with that. By the time I finally felt like myself again, the window had closed. Sure, I can still kill it in my field now, but for the specific path I originally wanted? That ship has sailed.

As much as it might sound terrible to say out loud, I feel a genuine sense of relief knowing that I’m not alone in this 😁. I struggle quite a bit with memory gaps myself—it feels like my own childhood is a series of blurred images rather than clear recollections. On top of that, I find myself battling this heavy lack of motivation and interest in almost everything I do. I honestly have no idea where to even begin if I want to start turning things around
.

stormyheron4 said:It really wouldn't hurt to go talk to a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Depression is incredibly unpleasant and it can completely derail your life. You might not see immediate physical health consequences, but just look at where you are right now—in a year or two, you'll be applying for college. If you can't focus on studying now, your grades will suffer during admissions, and you still have entrance exams to prep for. It makes a massive difference whether you actually get into the program you want or end up settling...

Depression isn't incurable; you just need to seek out professional help. And trust me, the fallout can be pretty brutal. In my own career, I had much higher ambitions, but because I lacked the drive and struggled to study, I couldn't make them happen. It took me a long time to come to terms with that. By the time I finally got past the depression, the window had closed. Sure, I can achieve plenty of other things in my field now, but for what I originally set my sights on? That ship has sailed

Heh, how interesting... since I actually intend to major in psychology myself, and I'm naturally the type to tackle my own problems, I suppose I'll find a way through this 😉 Thanks for the advice, though. I'll manage to deal with the depression somehow. Besides, I've always been quite the "social butterfly," so that should help, and even the depression itself helped me settle down a bit regarding all my usual nonsense... so far, everything is under control. But when certain memories hit me, it becomes a real struggle...

Do you get out there for any kind of sports or physical activity, like hitting up the gym, going for runs, or something along those lines?

Alright, I won't ramble too much, let's get straight to it.

Look, all emotions are essentially just chemistry playing out in your body. So, if you're dealing with depression or whatever else, there's a very high chance it's coming down to some kind of hormonal imbalance or similar physiological stuff. Generally speaking, the body responds best when you don't swing too hard in either direction. You know? Don't overdo it at the gym, but don't be a complete couch potato either—you've gotta find that middle ground. Since you mentioned you aren't touching drugs or alcohol, those aren't the culprits here. But, if you happen to smoke cigarettes, honestly, my advice is to quit; you'll feel a massive shift for the better.

Testosterone is basically the engine for men; it drives everything. The more you have, the more "alive" you feel. Low levels are a common culprit behind depression. You'll also probably notice a drop in your libido (your sex drive).

Now, for a seventeen-year-old guy, hormones are usually firing on all cylinders because that’s just what that stage of life is like. You *should* have plenty of testosterone, but then again, things can go sideways due to poor diet, lack of sleep, or being either totally inactive or pushing yourself way too hard physically.

I can't give you medical advice through a screen, so the smartest move would be to head to a doctor, get some blood work done, and have them check your actual hormone levels.

Edit:
Here's some info I copied from the web regarding symptoms of low testosterone:

* decreased interest in sex
* issues with erections (firmness and stamina)
* depression and lethargy without an obvious cause
* loss of body hair

General symptoms of testosterone deficiency include a lower sex drive (libido), erectile dysfunction, muscle atrophy, increased body fat, feelings of depression and moodiness, anemia, and bone loss (osteoporosis). Sperm production can also be affected. If the deficiency starts before puberty, sexual development may be delayed or stunted, and the individual might grow taller with a higher-pitched voice.

If the deficiency develops after puberty—which can be caused by genetics or lifestyle factors—symptoms might include sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, irritability, tension, weakness, reduced libido and masculinity, as well as hot flashes and night sweats. Muscle strength, grip strength, beard growth, and overall functional capacity are often diminished. Skin can also become dry and rough.

Men with these issues often see weight gain, specifically a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat percentage. Fat tends to accumulate particularly around the waist and hips. These men frequently report feeling depressed and unmotivated, along with difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

briskdriver57 said:I don't even know who to turn to.

Please, I need some advice...

First off, you really need to get moving and actually hang out with people. You’ll start feeling better once your circulation gets back on track. Honestly, if you can't remember things, it's probably because you aren't focusing on what's happening right then—you're just drifting off into your own little world because you're checked out. Are you nursing some old heartbreak or something? Depression can be triggered by basically anything. Like, everyone knows how much people struggle with seasonal depression during the winter here in the States. The days are shorter, the weather is miserable, and all of that adds up. There are a million different reasons for this stuff.

That whole thing with focus and depression hits me pretty hard too, though I actually know exactly what my specific issue is. 😢

My advice? Grab a DVD with some stretching routines, look into it, and just start. Or join a gym, or whatever it is you women do, I don't know 🙂 , maybe a few times a week.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, feelings are essentially just "the result of chemical reactions in the body," so it's entirely possible you're actually deficient in something. Go get a full blood panel done, and check your hormones too.
It shouldn't take more than a couple of days 😁 to get results and finally know where you stand.

I remember back when I was a student, I used to take those various "concentration boosters" they try to sell us, and in the end, I realized all I really got was improved circulation—something I could have achieved through much better methods anyway. 🙂

Anyway, good luck figuring out what's going on with you. 🙂

I’m actually the exact opposite. I can recall specific dates, what someone was wearing, and little details that probably nobody else even remembers. My memory for events is pretty intense. Sometimes I don't even know what to do with these memories; some are totally trivial and involve nothing significant at all. But occasionally, that black hole you guys are talking about does happen, though it's rare.

Maybe you just lack interest, because I notice I don't remember things that weren't interesting or important to me, or times when I was completely zoned out.

Regarding studying, my university was extremely difficult. We studied exam by exam—I'm not sure how it works now with the current credit system—because there were very few exams per year, maybe around seven, but they were all incredibly massive.

I always studied in great detail, trying to actually understand everything, but on the day of the exam, I’d hit a total mental block. The only way I could break through was through rapid-fire reviewing of the entire curriculum right before the test. Basically, I’d grab the textbook and skim through it quickly, paying extra attention to headings and "scanning" the text; that’s usually when everything would come back to me. Otherwise, I always used the same highlighting system: green for the most important stuff, pink for less important, and if it wasn't important, I wouldn't highlight it at all, or just use a pencil or yellow marker. With such massive amounts of material, repetition is key. You have to go over it multiple times. That's how you memorize everything, even how a page looks. It isn't unusual to be asked a question and see exactly where the answer is located in the book—sort of like photographic memory.

I’m not one of those people who hates reviewing before an exam. If anything, I think repetition is vital; it’s what guaranteed my high grades. Without it, it feels like I never studied at all, even though I definitely did. So, maybe try putting in the effort to review everything before the test. It doesn't mean you have to re-read everything from scratch—you don't need to since you already know it—it's just about summoning that knowledge through quick review, which should help boost or restore your confidence.

That was a beautifully put, truly well-expressed. 😉

Jonathan Miller7, I’ve never been much of a fitness enthusiast; I used to be active—soccer, handball, all that—but these days, my exercise consists of walking to campus and tackling the stairs at home. Most of my life is spent glued to a computer screen or just sitting around when I head into town. Honestly, I’m at a loss as to what to do with myself; I have absolutely zero motivation for sports anymore, and besides, we don't even have decent facilities nearby. I’ve also realized that I tend toward extremism in almost everything; I always swing between extremes, either all good or all bad, and I can never seem to find a middle ground. To make matters worse, my mind is a complete mess; I used to be able to close my eyes and just see darkness, but now, the moment I shut my eyes, a hundred different things start racing behind my eyelids... My hands shake quite a bit, too, which I assume is just nerves. Sometimes I get this overwhelming urge to practically rip my own soul out—you know, grab my head with both hands and violently thrust them forward, as if by that single physical act I could somehow eject all the problems and bullshit weighing me down...

vividstag15 said:Well, isn't that just a lovely way for you to put it. Seriously, bravo. 😉

Jonathan Miller7, look, I’m not really into physical stuff anymore. I used to be active—played soccer, handball, all that good stuff—but nowadays? My big workout is walking to campus or tackling the stairs at my place. Most of my life is spent glued to a computer or just sitting around when I head downtown. Honestly, I don't even know what to do with myself. I have zero motivation for sports, and besides, we don't even have decent facilities around here to work with. Plus, I've realized I'm a total extremist. It's like I can't find a middle ground; I'm either all in or completely out, nothing in between. It's exhausting. On top of that, my head is a complete mess. It used to be that I could just close my eyes and see nothing but darkness, but now? I close my eyes and a hundred different thoughts start racing behind my eyelids. And my hands... they shake quite a bit. I think it's just pure nerves. Sometimes I feel this overwhelming urge to just rip my own "soul" out. Like, I'll grab my head with both hands and just thrust them forward violently, as if I could somehow physically eject all these problems and bullshit from my body just by making that motion...

I honestly think what I told you was 😁

Honestly, you guys might want to go see a therapist...
As for memory stuff, I had some kind of mental glitch back in third grade, and I haven't been the same since. No one else noticed, but I did. I have no clue what actually happened, but before that, memorizing those stupid little rhymes we had to learn was easy. Suddenly, it became an absolute nightmare. Even now, if I try to memorize something word-for-word, my brain just hits a wall. I even blanked out during my first communion because I couldn't remember the prayers. xD
So yeah... it takes me forever to learn things now. It used to be a struggle, but lately, I've learned to chill out and not stress over it, which helps a ton. I don't get those "Oh my God, I've forgotten everything!" panic attacks anymore. I still blank on stuff during tests sometimes, but instead of spiraling, I just try to piece together a coherent sentence. I also keep my notes handy just in case, so I usually only bother memorizing half the material 🙂. I'll just flip through my notebook, acting casual like I'm not even studying, and my grades are actually way better than when I used to freak out and end up knowing nothing...
Bottom line: try to work through it yourselves, but if it's not working... just see a psychologist. Give your soul a break and things will become a whole lot easier for you 🙂