Anyone else feel forgetful?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2006
Anyone else feel forgetful?
9
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 10:15am


I've tried to roll with the punches as far as my anxiety is concerned, but this latest symptom has me more anxious than ever. I acknowledge that I'm currently under a lot of stress with work and home, the holidays, etc (plus I'm PMSing). I've got a lot on my plate.

The past few days I find I've been really forgetful. I forget something and then I panic. I went into my parents house yesterday and went to turn off their alarm system and couldn't remember what it was. It's been the same number for 15 years. I found myself starting to panic as the beeping continued until it finally clicked and I remembered and punched it in. No harm, but it left me feeling anxious. Then this morning I completely missed a meeting at my son's school that I not only knew about, but organized!! At 9:00 I got that sick feeling like I should be doing something and then remembered. Which got my anxiety up and rolling again today.

Anyone else deal with this symptom? I'm only in my early 30s and hope this isn't a sign of what's to come!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2006
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 10:32am

I hear you, I get that ALL the time. I have a hard time with phone numbers, I constantly lose my keys, my cell phone...sometimes I don't remember where I parked my car the grocery store!

It is very frieghtening, but I have read that it is a symptom of anxiety and stress. If you are having anxiety, it is very easy to not be able to stay on track of things and keep focused. What I do to make sure I don't forget important things, is I will always keep my keys in the same place, if I have an appointment, I tell myself repeatedly in my mind what day and time it is. Also, if you tell someone else to make sure to remind you, that is a help as well. I have lost my wallet 3 times, my bankcard over 10, and have locked my keys in my car over 5 times. It isn't because we are "stupid" it is because we are so preoccupied with other thoughts.

Hope this helped!
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 12:20pm

Hi! This is a common concern. I thought I was losing it when I was yelling @ the kids to grab me a potholder & that word totally escaped me): This was happening more & more. I saw the dr. & was reassured that this is a part of stress & anxiety. I have learned to relax more. When it happens, I take a couple of deep breaths & usually the word comes to me or I remember what I was looking for, etc. I accept it as part of me & don't get angry or upset with myself.


If this is bothering you, maybe seeing the dr. would give you some reassurance, too. I know that it can be very scary. I do think that when you don't have as much on your plate & the holidays(STRESS!!!) are lessened, you will not notice the forgetfulness as much. Here's a couple of good threads that may help. http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=20370.1&x=y


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=21050.1&x=y

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2006
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 1:01pm

Thanks Amy and Jan. I know that part of the problem is I seem to be running in high speed -- going in so many directions at once! I need to allow myself to slow down and tackle one thing at a time (i.e. getting the kids a snack -- instead of cleaning off the table, putting laundry away, starting the dishwasher, talking to a client and then oh yea, I was supposed to get the kids a snack!!)

Thanks for the reassurance. You ladies help make my day!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 1:07pm
Sounds like the typical overachieving, underated, multi-tasking mom. BTDT;) The great thing is that you recognize it. That is half the battle. GL! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2006
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 1:37pm

Aww, I'm glad that we help. You aren't alone, and I know that it's so hard to concentrate on one thing at a time! I will admit, that one time, I locked my keys in my car while it was RUNNING. LOL

Take care,
Amy ;-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 2:08pm

Wow, substitute a different meeting and I could have written your post. LOL I feel like my brain is turning to tapioca sometimes. I just had to reschedule a therapy appointment on Friday because I had the wrong day down for my Mom's flight and I need to pick her up. Two weeks ago, I had the appointment scheduled opposite one of my classes!

With me anyway, I know it's stress, anxiety, burnout that affects my memory and concentration too sometimes. I get really frustrated, but then try to remind myself of all the other million things that I remember to do! Then it doesn't seen so bad that I miss one or two...but it sucks when it happens.

Hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2006
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 7:09pm
Thanks Dee, that's true. All my kids are accounted for, bathed and fed so I haven't completely lost it yet! It's the whole control thing -- I don't like forgetting because to me it's being out of control. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 5:25am
I can't remember diddly squat. ;) I write everything down. I have a planner with all of my appointments and I review them periodically. I make a lot of lists. I keep several journals. People sometimes seem astonished when I can't remember certain things in the past, and I just try to shrug it off. It used to disturb me a lot, but now I just kinda accept it, and record as much as possible in writing.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 8:21pm

Ditto to everything you said!

Sheri Ann