Aa
Normal, or problems??
I have a question regarding memory issues as of late. I have always been typically forgetful. As in: I don't remeber some childhood memories, or certain things that others do remember. However lately I seem to be much worse! I am 22 and have a 2 year old daughter. I have been fretting about HIV, financial situation, my job and others. These things are really taking a tole on me and consuiming my life. I have become very stressed anxious, and slightly depressed. I am almost always distracted. I have been tested for HIV, negative and I am tryin to get ahold on my other issues.
I often find myself not knowing where I laid my cell phone, or glases. I sometimes (though rarely) lose my train of thought completely. As of late, I am becoming very concerned tough. - Like the other night, playing pictionary with my family, I drew a card and the word was "bleacher". - I totally forgot what a bleacher was. I couldn't think of anyway to draw it so that my family could guess it. After an unsuccessfuol draw, it came to me what a bleacher was. Then later my husband drew"picket" again, I could NOT remember what the heck the word meant. These are words that I don't use hardly at all, however I'm very concerned that I just coudln't place a meaning with the words. Two occasions on one night! I also have problems lately remembering a list of more than 4 or 5 things when I run out to the store. I know I'm not always attentive, as people will tell me things and I am totally ignorant to what they are sayin. But this "word" problem is really getting to me. It can't be just my ignorance. I'm panicking that I have memory problems and fell into a trap thinking "this is it, it's HIV and your losing it now"!! Could this be the stress and anxiety, and normal, or is this something more that I need to get checked out???
Thanks so much.
I often find myself not knowing where I laid my cell phone, or glases. I sometimes (though rarely) lose my train of thought completely. As of late, I am becoming very concerned tough. - Like the other night, playing pictionary with my family, I drew a card and the word was "bleacher". - I totally forgot what a bleacher was. I couldn't think of anyway to draw it so that my family could guess it. After an unsuccessfuol draw, it came to me what a bleacher was. Then later my husband drew"picket" again, I could NOT remember what the heck the word meant. These are words that I don't use hardly at all, however I'm very concerned that I just coudln't place a meaning with the words. Two occasions on one night! I also have problems lately remembering a list of more than 4 or 5 things when I run out to the store. I know I'm not always attentive, as people will tell me things and I am totally ignorant to what they are sayin. But this "word" problem is really getting to me. It can't be just my ignorance. I'm panicking that I have memory problems and fell into a trap thinking "this is it, it's HIV and your losing it now"!! Could this be the stress and anxiety, and normal, or is this something more that I need to get checked out???
Thanks so much.
I would strongly urge you to access psychotherapy. It will help you to work through all these issues that are distracting you.
Many family members don't understand and definitely don't have the necessary experience to help. My family don't want to hear about anything to do with mental health. They also get frustrated with my seeming lack of change.
Your mothers comments possibly even make you feel guilty.
You have a negative HIV test result. That is evidence.
You can get through it. There is no reason why you would just have to cope with it. This is very treatable.
Talk to a therapist or start by looking at Dr Gould's website (myvirtualshrink.com).
Therapy will make all the difference. These issues can be resolved.
Many family members don't understand and definitely don't have the necessary experience to help. My family don't want to hear about anything to do with mental health. They also get frustrated with my seeming lack of change.
Your mothers comments possibly even make you feel guilty.
You have a negative HIV test result. That is evidence.
You can get through it. There is no reason why you would just have to cope with it. This is very treatable.
Talk to a therapist or start by looking at Dr Gould's website (myvirtualshrink.com).
Therapy will make all the difference. These issues can be resolved.
You are so right. The HIV thing is a screaming fear that I have. I cant tell you how many times a day I sit and actually focus on rationalizing. Sadly, when I do so - It is very short lilved. And I try sitting any talking with people close to me. But I truly believe they are beginning to get fed up with the fact that I can't seem to let this go. It turn, My family suffers. I know that. Here I am worrying about the well being of my daughter. She is THE ONLY reason I get out of bed in the morning - but then, as my mother puts it "she suffers all day". Because I'm not the mom I should be. I'm distracted and angry. I feel so terrible. I do not treat my family bad, I'm not just in it 100% liek I should be. And I so want to be. It's so nice to let things so to someone. I Just feel like I'm losing places to turn. I feel like I need the evidence to actually get through this. Rather than just cope with it. Coping hurts. Myself, and those around me - who I love some much.
I appreciate your advice.
I appreciate your advice.
I think the fear of there being something desperately or potentially fatally wrong with us is pretty common amongst those of us with anxiety disorders.
For me the HIV stuff comes across very loudly in your post. I think that fear and concern is enough to leave anyone feel out of control, and to borrow the doctor's word powerless.
If you do have problems then discuss them with your doctor. Another word the expert has recently used has been perspective.
Keeping things in perspective is also pretty useful.
It's difficult to get that balance. Challenge the origins of the symptoms but always trust yourself. In recent times I've second guessed myself a lot and have actually gotten quite sick. Go with your gut instinct and if you still have doubts or concerns talk to your doctor.
I think that talking through your issues and finding solutions to them could be helpful.
Sometimes just voicing your fears can help. Help both you and the other person understand where you're at. As long as the other person listens and is respectful and empathetic it can be validating (and reassuring).
It sounds like you have a huge amount going on in your life right now.
Good luck with everything and have a great Christmas and New Year.
For me the HIV stuff comes across very loudly in your post. I think that fear and concern is enough to leave anyone feel out of control, and to borrow the doctor's word powerless.
If you do have problems then discuss them with your doctor. Another word the expert has recently used has been perspective.
Keeping things in perspective is also pretty useful.
It's difficult to get that balance. Challenge the origins of the symptoms but always trust yourself. In recent times I've second guessed myself a lot and have actually gotten quite sick. Go with your gut instinct and if you still have doubts or concerns talk to your doctor.
I think that talking through your issues and finding solutions to them could be helpful.
Sometimes just voicing your fears can help. Help both you and the other person understand where you're at. As long as the other person listens and is respectful and empathetic it can be validating (and reassuring).
It sounds like you have a huge amount going on in your life right now.
Good luck with everything and have a great Christmas and New Year.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Jaquta has given you excellent advice..yes it sounds like you are anxious about something and your mind, below the surface, is claiming a lot of your attentional focus, explaiing why you forget..you are someplace else in your head..if you could settle down and think it through with someone...a therapist or a friend, that might give you some immediate relief. You could also go to my website..myvirtualshrink.com, and get a free profile of what is going on in your life, and then decide to work on these issues when you like...that would help immediately during this season when it might not be convenient to start therapy.
Wow. You sound so much like me. Thats exactly how I feel. Like something must be seriously wrong and people are minimizing my symptoms. Thanks for your reply. It Was really helpful.
To me it sounds as though it is stress and anxiety related.
The doctor has mentioned previously that when our minds are consumed with other thoughts, etc that we become distracted by them and are therefore less attentive.
I've had issues with my memory as well and people often tell me it is stress-related. This generally only causes me to stress more because I feel they are minimizing the symptom. For the most part I feel that there must be something seriously wrong with me. For me, probably the fear of neuro-degenerative conditions and not HIV.
My advice would be to see a psychiatrist and to seek counseling (psychotherapy).
The expert here also has a self-help approach to therapy if you are interested. His web site is myvirtualshrink.com.
There are a lot of childhood memories I can't recall. Some I do when people talk about them. We all experience life differently so there are bound to be things we remember that others don't and vice versa.
The doctor has mentioned previously that when our minds are consumed with other thoughts, etc that we become distracted by them and are therefore less attentive.
I've had issues with my memory as well and people often tell me it is stress-related. This generally only causes me to stress more because I feel they are minimizing the symptom. For the most part I feel that there must be something seriously wrong with me. For me, probably the fear of neuro-degenerative conditions and not HIV.
My advice would be to see a psychiatrist and to seek counseling (psychotherapy).
The expert here also has a self-help approach to therapy if you are interested. His web site is myvirtualshrink.com.
There are a lot of childhood memories I can't recall. Some I do when people talk about them. We all experience life differently so there are bound to be things we remember that others don't and vice versa.
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