Memory . . . | ADHD Information
Sign of lacking in Good Fats. Sometimes sleep deprevation is what causes a lot of the "extra" symptoms for adhd. I know pc wise, a LOT OF US have STAYED UP WAYYY later than needed and have sleep issues now. we used to just zog out in front of the tube, now we have the pc for our immature minds that need constant feeding. Or we may MISS something... yeah, like sleep..I am of course referring to...MEMORY..
AHH , to be young and not fritter and waste the hours in a off hand way..
I do know that adderall is not helping my memory much..
bugzappers38646.7563310185
Upwings - you're suffering from one of THE most common threads in the ADHD tapestry. My memory (pre medication) was swiss cheese to be the kindest to me. I could not remember my childhood, lists, names, faces, long lists, short lists, things I liked, things I disliked, promises, lies, what's in my fridge, pocket, mind, trunk, etc.
The only things that stuck were jeapordy winning trivia. Of course - me in rural canada and it was SO useful in my day-to-day things!
After meds - almost instantly I got near-total RECALL. Seriously - remembered things I thought I hadn't had the mind to retain at the time. Old places, childhood memories (complete with my toys, the smell of the carpets in 1970, etc.) and retaining lists and numbers for days, weeks - as long as needed! That was the most shocking thing. I thought I'd get a LITTLE memory back - but it came like a big flood. It was like a cheesy sci-fi show - where you get a shot and the pics of memories come in like a tidal wave. Wierd, true and awesome.
It sucks when it's not there. I was always getting taken advantage of by "loved ones". They'd argue with me about.. well anything. I'd start to win, and they would just have to say - "remember? - a while ago you said..." Whatever they quoted I HAD to believe them - because it was nowhere in my memory to fight back with!
Now - my mother and family stay clear of my fights. I can quote a word, phrase whatever- even tell them the day, what the weather was like and what I was wearing! It's like friggin' Kreskin here! No sign of fading either which is nice - and it's been over 10 months (a year in november).
It can be trained. I did it when fully ADHD with math and english. I passed my adult education AND university with very good marks and without practice over and over - it would never have happened.
Trick is - you have to WANT it very bad. ADHD makes us avoid tasks we either are afraid of failing at (fear makes us blank out fast) or boring doing (we avoid boredom of that kind - we'll end up in front of the TV eventually).
Perhaps pick up a memory enhancement tape? I would recommend meds but not knowing you well enough yet - talk to your doc or psychiatrist and perhaps mention what you are dealing with?
Wish you luck - I was there not long ago. I remember it well... now anyway.
i can be forgetful but i don't forget when someone has been mean to me...ryan
I just admitted i had a Memory Problem and dealt with it.. Diary..Calculator. Message Pads..Target Words to stimulate memory... Ok! it works fairly well, for moi. As far as i can learn from other peoples experiences, comments, Poor Memory is not Just an ADHD Issue... But again when one has a mind that travels at light speed..
jumping from idea to idea... And you are "Surprised"
I have found that this is just as true about ADHD and memory as it is about keeping physically fit. If you don't use it, you lose it. Things which I did successfully for years that requirememory become impossible in a very short time frame if it depends on my remembering anything without using it on a regular basis.
Now, what was your question?
Hi Upwings, I was going to reply to your post, but I forgot your question.I have a problem with memory. That is all I remember. LOL.
Can someone or many of you help me to understand why my memory has
gone south? I used to have an excellent working memory. Now just my
longer term works right. I can't make change for .00 or hold a place
number in addition. When I go to get the 'carried' number . . . it is gone. I
am getting somewhat better thank goodness but I have this ADD quest to
understand everything.
Is it the body protecting itself? or . . . What was I going to say?? Oh yeah!!! I think I've already "lost it", therefore I must've already been losing it for a while.
OH! Here it is !!!! I found it...
you may be a broken record annidagostini --- but we love you for it cos we have memory problems!!!!i have been meaning to order the book (because i went to B&N here in West Hollywood and they didn't have it in stock) from Amazon but i never get round to it. so every time i see one of your posts it reminds me again. like a virtual post it note.
Bugzappers (Jeff) --- You just cleared up something for me regarding my own memory. While I always had lots of obnoxious ADHD symptoms (undiagnosed), I had a great memory. I never forgot anything... appoinments, birthdays, etc. However, in the last five years or so, it has become a HUGE issue. It's not that I haven't been using my brain but it just seemed to get worse and worse. You just mentioned sleep and VOILA, it all makes sense! Around five years ago, I started a job that kept me at work until midnight. Until that time I rarely stayed up past 10:30 so sleep was one thing I generally got (except when the kids were babies). So, it makes lots of sense that it could be a sleep issue. I started taking melatonin a little over a week ago and I've been so in control and not forgetting the kids appointments, etc. This will give me something to focus on and see if it really does help me! Thank you!
I sound like a broken record on these posts, but here goes.
I have really been helped by a book called Stopping ADHD. My memory was the first thing I noticed that improved. I have not forgotten to go get my son from soccer once since I started doing these exercises, which to me is a miracle. I used to not even remember that he was gone. I used to just roam around the house, and then suddenly wonder where he was.
I remember to go to meetings, and to PLAN AHEAD for lessons at school. (I teach school!!) These are things that I usually do not do naturally at all. I have to be on meds or I get totally lost at school and cry because I forgot or lost something.
I did lose something today, but only because I didn't see it behind the papers in the file where it should go!!! I usually in the past lose things because I put them with other papers and then filed them in the wrong file.
Now, I haven't lost a paper since I started these exercises. I am not on meds. It has been amazing to me.
I hope they can help others. If you read the book, it will either make total sense to you, or not.