Short-term memory loss and poor concentration
05 May 2004, 08:13 PM
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Short-term memory loss and poor concentration
Symptoms of getting old? Im only 26 ffs! 
been noticing this a lot more over the past few months, but my short-term memory has gone to hell. I also have difficulty concentrating on some tasks. Granted, this second problem often occurs at work and I cant be arsed with the job anymore so my commitment is pretty low, but I find I am making a lot more stupid mistakes of late, both at work and at home.
A prime example occured the other day. Van came in with a failed component. Spent 10 minutes removing sub-assembly. Spent 2 hours with big hammer and drifts dismantling reluctant sub-assembly. Removed failed component, got new part from stores. Spent an hour re-assembling reluctant sub-assembly. Tidied up tools, noticed new component still lying on work bench. Checked...yep I had rebuilt it using the old part again. Had to spend 3 hours doing it all over again.
Stupid stuff like forgetting why I have gone into a certain room, making a bowl of cereal then putting the crispies box in the fridge and the milk on top of the kitchen cupboard. I had to buy 3 items from the shop yesterday... I didnt write a list as it was only 3 items. Walked to the shop repeating the three items in my head like a mantra. Bought 2 items, walked home, remebered I hadnt bought the third item.
Its happening more and more often, and has gone from an occasional, sometimes amusing annoyance to potential serious safety risks.
Anyone else losing the plot?
Any advice?
been noticing this a lot more over the past few months, but my short-term memory has gone to hell. I also have difficulty concentrating on some tasks. Granted, this second problem often occurs at work and I cant be arsed with the job anymore so my commitment is pretty low, but I find I am making a lot more stupid mistakes of late, both at work and at home.
A prime example occured the other day. Van came in with a failed component. Spent 10 minutes removing sub-assembly. Spent 2 hours with big hammer and drifts dismantling reluctant sub-assembly. Removed failed component, got new part from stores. Spent an hour re-assembling reluctant sub-assembly. Tidied up tools, noticed new component still lying on work bench. Checked...yep I had rebuilt it using the old part again. Had to spend 3 hours doing it all over again.
Stupid stuff like forgetting why I have gone into a certain room, making a bowl of cereal then putting the crispies box in the fridge and the milk on top of the kitchen cupboard. I had to buy 3 items from the shop yesterday... I didnt write a list as it was only 3 items. Walked to the shop repeating the three items in my head like a mantra. Bought 2 items, walked home, remebered I hadnt bought the third item.
Its happening more and more often, and has gone from an occasional, sometimes amusing annoyance to potential serious safety risks.
Anyone else losing the plot?
Any advice?
05 May 2004, 08:30 PM
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dammit, im really sorry....
Id post the cheque off tomorrow, but seem to have forgotten your address
I remember being told ages and ages ago I didnt drink enough (no, it wasnt a prescription to sit in the pub) but my fluid intake hasnt dropped at all, infact its probably increased.
Id post the cheque off tomorrow, but seem to have forgotten your address
I remember being told ages and ages ago I didnt drink enough (no, it wasnt a prescription to sit in the pub) but my fluid intake hasnt dropped at all, infact its probably increased.
05 May 2004, 08:30 PM
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ROTFLMAO 
Very funny post
I tend to do silly things like that too and have been similarly paranoid. I think its just the way of the world these days. We are so used to doing things ultra fast, to being under pressure, to lightening quick communication that sometimes our brains just lag a little behind.
Very funny post I tend to do silly things like that too and have been similarly paranoid. I think its just the way of the world these days. We are so used to doing things ultra fast, to being under pressure, to lightening quick communication that sometimes our brains just lag a little behind.
06 May 2004, 01:49 PM
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Most of the symptoms you've mentioned I would suggest are pesent in all of us. I did the cereal box thing this morning as it goes, had the box in my hand and turned to put it in the fridge.
As for the work thing we all have our moments of can't be RSed-ness and do odd things. Someone can say something to me on the phone and as soon as I put the phone down I forgotton what was said.
Always happens when thinking about something else and not really concentrating on your immediate surroundings.
As for the work thing we all have our moments of can't be RSed-ness and do odd things. Someone can say something to me on the phone and as soon as I put the phone down I forgotton what was said.
Always happens when thinking about something else and not really concentrating on your immediate surroundings.
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06 May 2004, 01:50 PM
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sounds very familair - but then i've got an excuse: i'm an old c*** (30).
when i was in my teens/early 20s i could remember stuff/retain information more or less instantly. now i can't remember anything, even if i've deliberately tried to "learn" it. personally i blame excessive intake of alcohol, among other things.
when i was in my teens/early 20s i could remember stuff/retain information more or less instantly. now i can't remember anything, even if i've deliberately tried to "learn" it. personally i blame excessive intake of alcohol, among other things.
06 May 2004, 02:10 PM
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my memory too has gone to pot, Im only 24 and find me doign all these things, I'll switch off when people talk to me and I find Im always nodding in agreement etc etc, I aint even listening.
you know what Ive put it down too, spending too much time on the net.. its frying my brain. I used to have a really good memory, every1 commented how good I was at recalling things etc, now Im worse than most people I know.
very fustrating, think Im addicted to the net...lol
you know what Ive put it down too, spending too much time on the net.. its frying my brain. I used to have a really good memory, every1 commented how good I was at recalling things etc, now Im worse than most people I know.
very fustrating, think Im addicted to the net...lol
06 May 2004, 02:13 PM
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LOL! I poured gin in my cereal on Monday morning.... not sure whether it it was pure lack of concentration, or my subconcious trying to tell me something!
06 May 2004, 02:20 PM
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the other thing is that there's much less need to remember anything these days. at one time i knew all my mates phone numbers, addresses etc. now it's just "speed dial 6" or open the contacts in outlook.
06 May 2004, 02:29 PM
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For all the Red Dwarf fans, (both of ya ), makes me think of Kryten when he crashed and sent his hand off to get help.....
'this combined with my short term memory loss'
<sound of Matt pulling on coat and leaving>
I too forget LOADS of stuff, I know when I'm supposed to be at work, and the Pleasure Prevention Officer sorts out my social calendar - but other than that, I struggle !!!
Matt
), makes me think of Kryten when he crashed and sent his hand off to get help.....'this combined with my short term memory loss'
<sound of Matt pulling on coat and leaving>
I too forget LOADS of stuff, I know when I'm supposed to be at work, and the Pleasure Prevention Officer sorts out my social calendar - but other than that, I struggle !!!
Matt
06 May 2004, 05:45 PM
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I'll lock my back door when I'm going out.
Get to the front door "hmmm, did I lock the back door"
- trundle off to the kitchen and check the back door
Get back to the front door and think "hmmm did I actually check the back door when I just walked into the kitchen (have no memory of doing this"
- trundle off yet again to check the back door.
I kid you not there have been occasions where I must have walked back and forth about 4 times cos I don't conciously remember actually checking the back door is locked. Trouble is I ALWAYS lock the back door 1st time around anyway.
I put this stuff down to daydreaming most of my life, oh and I was smoking alot of dope at the time, this doesn't occur so much now (just forget to lock it in the 1st place)
Get to the front door "hmmm, did I lock the back door"
- trundle off to the kitchen and check the back door
Get back to the front door and think "hmmm did I actually check the back door when I just walked into the kitchen (have no memory of doing this"
- trundle off yet again to check the back door.
I kid you not there have been occasions where I must have walked back and forth about 4 times cos I don't conciously remember actually checking the back door is locked. Trouble is I ALWAYS lock the back door 1st time around anyway.
I put this stuff down to daydreaming most of my life, oh and I was smoking alot of dope at the time, this doesn't occur so much now (just forget to lock it in the 1st place
)
06 May 2004, 06:52 PM
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Yep im always locking the car, walking away and wondering have I locked the car. Go back flash the key thing to find its locked and now just unlocked and have to lock it again. If someone asks me to do something for them like pick something up at the supermarket not only will i forget half the stuff i went there for i will forget their items as well. The strange thing is my memory of when I was a kid is amazing can remember all the kids names in my class, can remember things I did at primamry school etc. However in my 20's I smoked bucket loads of weed every day and think I fried my brain 
so now my memory is shot to ****. I also can't remember much about my 20's, not like certain things that happened like I can from when I was a kid. I have to write everything down to make sure I remember things now
so now my memory is shot to ****. I also can't remember much about my 20's, not like certain things that happened like I can from when I was a kid. I have to write everything down to make sure I remember things now
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 06 May 2004 at 06:55 PM.
06 May 2004, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by my94
Stop smoking that wacky backy and you'll be ok :-)
Seriously though, consider it if appropriate to your lifestyle.
Joolz
07 May 2004, 07:09 AM
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I'm currently contracting in a call centre. Yesterday I answered the phone in the usual professional manner, then instantly forgot I was on a call and started a conversation with the guy sat next to me. Imagine the shock I got when the caller started talking. I barely even registered that I'd answered the phone, complete auto-pilot
07 May 2004, 09:44 AM
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i can never for the life of me remember if i have locked the car and on occassions i have forgotten to lock it. so now what i do is pull the door handle before walking away as habit to 'acknowledge' i have locked the car...
07 May 2004, 10:05 AM
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Thought of you lot earlier. This morning, made mug of tea. Took out sugar pot, to put sugar in tea. Sugar pot empty, so left it on worktop next to mug. Looked in cupboards for new bag of sugar. Opened new bag of sugar and was THAT close to pouring it all into my mug of tea...
07 May 2004, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by yoza
I once went to Newquay surfing, excellent break.
The Sailor Arms and the Newquay Arms were the best pubs to drink in.
Cheers Yoza (30ish)
The Sailor Arms and the Newquay Arms were the best pubs to drink in.
Cheers Yoza (30ish)