no memories

[Imluznit4]

I have no memories of much of my childrens years growing up, my four kids are 15, 17, 18 and 21.  Most of the things I remember are of my oldest.  I also cannot remember much of my own teen age years.  I have a friend who swears she spent the summer at my house, i can't even remember one night.  I also forget everything these days.  I forget what i am saying in the middle of my sentences.  ALL THE TIME!  My family thinks i am crazy when i tell them that I never know what they are talking about and I look to them for memories of my children.  Help! I am only 40 and I don't know what is wrong with me.
Jessica

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Memory loss can be caused by many conditions, including psychological stress, trauma, brain injuries, some neurological conditions, etc.

You should consult a neurologist to properly assess your symptoms and to determine whether an organic cause of the memory loss can be identified and treated.

Good luck.

[ggreg]

Also, consider a psychiatric hypnotist.  He can put you under and ask you to recall the memories of your younger children, and then ask you to recall your teenage years.  If those memories are intact, he can record them and play them back for you, or if your memory loss is from a traumatic incident, he can help you absorb them over time and accept them.

As for being forgetful whilst talking, concentration may be goofed up from stress or illness or lack of sleep.  Poor sleep can also be why you don't remember parts of your younger life.  So, you could also have a sleep test done to determine if you have sleep apnea.