Memory Loss/ Learning Diability?

I am 22 years old, and the last few years my memory has become increasingly worse. I went through periods in high school where I stressed myself out to the point of having insomnia because I was forcing myself to study and remember things for exams. Most of the time it is as if my brain cannot retain information I have just heard, like my brain is just not processing it. This falls within all categories, not just difficult things to remember. I often forget conversations I have recently had, but not because I do not care, I just cannot remember many details or the subject. Other people have noticed this as well, but I have never had a teacher bring it to my parents attention as far as I know. I have often wondered if I have a learning disability that was never detected, and that I have just learned to live with. My other concern is that I also have hypothyroidism, but I am on medication for that and I now have the energy I used to. Except my memory still has not improved very much. I became a vegetarian about four years ago, for a while I was not eating properly but I corrected that. I now make sure I get enough nutrients I need, but I am concerned that this may contributing to my problem. As far as I can tell I am having problems with short and long term memory loss. Is there anyone who can share their story or offer advice? I am not looking for a definite answer, I know I cannot find one without proper tests. But I cannot figure out where to go for disability testing, or what tests to ask my doctors to run or even convince them that I really need them.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The tests you need are administered by a neuropsychologist.  Any mental health professional can guide you to that source, or go to your local medical school university for a referral. The chances are that you are really having an anxiety reaction but you can get a definitive answer by this kind of testing.