Bipolar and terrible memory Posted: 05-11-08 22:22pm
I have been diagnosed bipolar for 5 years
now, and I have been through many many
meds. There seems to be a constant
factor, on meds or not. I have no memory!
It seems I forget everything. Silly
little things that have little affect on
life, and major issues that totally screw
my life up. I don't know what it is. \
I can leave the house with a list in
my mind of 4 things to get at the corner
store, and come home with 6, and only 2 of
them were on the original list! I have to
repeat things over and over to myself
right up until the point where I actually
do it, or it is no longer necessary to do
them, or I will forget almost every time.
This has really started to have an
impact on every day life, causing me to
have to make two, sometimes three trips to
the store to get what I need, or causing
me to miss doctor's appointments just
hours after I reminded my husband that I
had to go. My children get very upset
because I forget the days and times of
their baseball practices and games, and
they are late or don't get to even go
sometimes.
If anyone else has had this problem,
or does now I would love to know because
at least I wouldn't feel as if I were
developing altzheimer's at the age of 29.
I would just feel better if I know that I
was not the only one with this problem,
and am curious if it is a symptom of the
bipolar or a by-product of the
medications.
Thank you in advance for your
response, and well-wishes to all!
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 902 Location: IL
Thanks: 43
Thanked:16
Posted: 05-11-08 22:52pm
I am not sure if it is part of the
disorder or the medication but memory
problems are common in people with bipolar
disorder.
Cognitive therapy may be of some benefit
to you. Lists are mandatory for you.
Keeping a running grocery list that you
can add to as you discover an item you
need will prove very helpful. Developing
checklists can be beneficial. Keep a
calendar close at all times and consult it
frequently. If you have an appointment set
a timer on your watch or cell phone to
alert you that it is time to leave. There
are many little things you can do to
overcome some memory deficiencies.
Occupational therapists may offer
suggestions to you. They deal with stroke
patients and develop strategies to help
patients with memory deficits.
I hope this helps.
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ma3n0ia
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 14
Posted: 05-14-08 14:08pm
the same thing happens to me ! .. i am 19
years old and was diagnosed bipolar at age
15 and have been on 20 or so medictaions
since then .. I can never remember
anything .. if im extremely manic or
depressed and you asked me what i had for
dinner last night i wont know .. when my
mood is normal my memory isn't AS bad, but
still not as good as it should be for a 19
year old.
