Forgetfulness.

[Theland]

Inspired by the post about the drama, "Elizabeth Is Missing, " thought I would ask about forgetfulness.

I am a male aged 69, and it is most annoying when I frequently forget words or names.

I usually goggle something for the answer, or turn to Mrs T to help me out.

It is not serious, but happens with such frequency to be a little concerning.

Any opinions from, (what was that name?) ah yes, ABers?

[Bobbisox1]

It’s sense of direction I lack, if I was asked where such and such a street was in Newcastle, I don’t think I’d know apart from the main ones

[pixie374]

Me too, bobbi! Forgetfulness is normal at any age, particularly if you are busy, stressed and as you get a bit older. It's impossible to say if it is anything more than that at the moment, but don't worry until you need to.
Clover, I don't know who says that if you worry about it, you don't have it... but there is no truth in that.

[rowanwitch]

Memory is like anything. Use it or lose it. Mine is good, but only for stuff I need. Except names. Remember people's pets but not their children, their address but not surname... My whole life this has been the case despite trying all sorts of techniques.

[Cloverjo]

I didn’t recognise my own son and his wife once when they were coming up the drive after they’d gone for a walk.

I forget names of vegetables and often go through a list of them before I finally land on the right one.

The more I write here the more I'm worrying about my terrible memory.

[Cloverjo]

Pixie, it must be one of those things that people say to make themselves or others feel better. I know you’d know better than most.

[pixie374]

It could be, it just could be a bit misleading though x
The vast majority of people never get dementia, theland, statistics are on your side. But sadly, no guarantees x

[shoota]

As long as you don't forget to vote Blue on Thursday you'll be alright.
:-)

[Patsy33]

It's very frustrating when you can't think of words. I usually go through the alphabet to get there...
Another thing is ringing up for repeated prescriptions at go surgery. The other day I wanted some Lansoprazole, and to jog my memory, I always think of Lanzarote. I found myself telling automated recorder, I wanted some Lanzaroteprazol! Felt so embarrassed...

[Robinia]

I think it's amazing how my mind must continue working subconciously after I've given up on something. At 6 o'clock this morning I remembered the thing I was racking my brain about on Sunday.

[Barsel]

Our brains are crammed with so much information, it isn't surprising that sometimes the word we are looking for won't come to the surface. It might just surface the next day of it's own accord or we might actively seek to find that word another way. I've realised now that if I want something from another room and I forget what it is when I get there, that is due to lack of concentration.On the way from the bedroom to the kitchen, I have thought of something else and that makes me forget the thing I was after, so now I just say the thing over and over until I reach it.

[bentaxle]

Pre hospital op you have this memory test and was ask to remember an address , but I got it only half right , Yet I can still box the compass learnt 77 yrs ago in the sea cadets
Memory is a funny old thing

[Theland]

I realise I have much in common with all of the above.
Thank you.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

For Theland - advice from my doctor - if you meet someone you know and can't remember their name then don't worry. If you meet someone who knows you and you can't remember them at all then that is the time to be concerned. I would add only be concerned if it happens a lot. I've just been checking my old 3ft long school photograph from 1964 and was amazed at how many names I could remember but took me ages to remember my neighbours surname when writing out cards. Happens to us all.

[Theland]

I find it easier to remember names when the person is in the familiar setting.
To bump into them in the street is usually when I would have trouble.

[Canary42]

/// I've just been checking my old 3ft long school photograph from 1964 and was amazed at how many names I could remember ///

That one's fascinating because if you asked me to name say 20 people from my old school just from memory, I would probably struggle, but if then you gave me an old photo like yours I could likely reel off considerably more. It seems we often need the "link" to recover stuff.

[THECORBYLOON]

There is situational or context dependant memory. There was a documentary a few year ago where rugby players each had to memorise a new task after they had been drinking a fair bit alcohol. I think they had to bake something but I might be wrong.

They were then asked to repeat it later when sober. The theory was that they would not be so good because they had been drunk before so would need to be drunk again to remember what to do.

They were able to carry it out fine but it turnt out they had cheated by each memorizing only a small section and then working together to carry out the whole task.

That explains why you mind on someone's name in familiar surroundings but not when you see them out in the street.

[Apc2604]

I worked in a job for 4 years where I was dealing with general public on the front line in job centre in a small town. So loads of people remember me and I can't remember them, especially as so much time has gone by. So not always a problem if people remember you, but you dont remember them! I find it embarrassing when in town say hello and ì havent a clue who they are.

[Old_Geezer]

My memory has always been poor. Used to get sick of adults commenting, "It can't be, you're young", when I was a child. Now I hate the way the brain's basic subconscious subroutines, that we rely on, opt to get things wrong when older. Really can't stand it. Doesn't seem like the real me.

[Grandpappy]

My memory is getting worse,I used to worry about it until I became apathetic,now I'm not sure if I care !

[Theland]

Often when posting on here, have to go through the alphabet to get to the right word, or ask Mrs T or Google.