Always forgetting

[capsule1]

Hi everyone I forget everything , I can have something in my hand and put it down and then Ive already forgotten where it is. then my husband gets mad because he will ask where it is and I cant remember. I really get upset and then my depression reallty sets in. Is there any suggestions on how to help me remember better. Brenda

[heyjude1]

Yes my daughter bought me one of those and I lost the beeper.  
Do you think your short term memory loss is due to meds or bipolar?  

[tanlee27]

My husband bought be this thing for christmas.  You attach it to your car keys, purse, etc... and there is a centrally located pod in your kitchen or where ever you want to put it.  And everytime you lose something you press one of the buttons for the item you lost, and it beeps.  It is really cool.  But now instead of me asking where my stuff is. I am like "where's the beep" :)  I have really bad short term memory now.....stupid meds

[heyjude1]

Ditto to the above.  My short term memory is horrible and it is embarassing.  I can't work anymore because of several issues with my Bipolar but alot is memory.  It is scary to see yourself losing your memory...how much is due to Bipolar and how much is due to my age, I am not sure.  My memory went down hill after my last full blown episode.

[vsantos]

Hello,
I tried to help my husband with his memory problem (he always had difficulty remembering things prior to his diagnose, but after having his frist Manic Episode 5 months ago+meds) it has gotten worse.
   So I try to help by having a big Calendar on the refrigetator to remind us of all our appointment , things to do etc....sometimes if there is something importnat coming up I even write Post-it for him. If I go to work, and he is taking care of our daughter I write up her scheudle/meals/nap time etc....
   As for his belongs, keys etc...we have a key box and that's where he leaves keys, wallet etc....But of course from time to time he 'looses' things, then he gets frustrated and I usually say "don't worry it's somewhere in the house, and we'l find it".  
   I guess understanding is very important, he doesn't do it on purpose and I can see how it is frustrating for him, so all I can do is try to help make his situation a bit less frustrating for him.  
     Hope any of this helps.

[Xila31]

I also have this problem. I always try to put my purse and keys and so on in the same place. Even in my purse, I have a pocket for keys, one for wallet, etc. and try to make sure I always put everything in the pocket where it belongs. When I am not feeling well, usually when hypomanic, I tend to get confused and very forgetful. I not only forget where I put things but I'll be right in the middle of doing things and forget what I'm doing. If I have things to do that I don't need to do every day, I put it on my calander in my computer to remind me to do it or I will forget. Anything that I need to do that is important I send myself and e-mail and flag it with a red ! mark. Sometimes it is hard for me to do things like spell words or dial phone numbers, but it all seems to be based on my mood. The more hypomanic I am the worse all of this becomes, and if there is any stress or pressure on me it gets worse. It isn't as bad when I'm depressed, and I'm fine it is like none of this happens.

So, you're not alone!

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Try writing yourself notes on things like I do and also try setting things all in the same place every time, such as your keys and pen and hat and so on, on the coffee table.

[kathy434]

Well, I have this problem too.  After I search and search to no avail, I ask my husband to help me find it.  It takes him about 5 minutes, and he only razzes me about how I can't find things and need him to locate them.  He laughs and enjoys it.  This takes some of the pressure off me.
However, I attempt to put things in one spot when I set it down.  This way I am not looking all over kingdom come.  When I lose my cell phone, I use the house phone and call my cell.  I let it ring until I find it and then hang up.  Works well for me.
I am an organize freak who is anything but organized.  Hang in there.  It hasn't gone out in the trash so it is still somewhere to find.  That is good.     K