Like most people who reach 'a certain age' I've gotten used to forgetting things. Things like not knowing why you've just walked into a room, forgetting things you went to the shop for etc.
Yesterday was somewhat different. I went out for a meal with my daughter and we got talking about my week. I was telling her what my friend and myself had been doing. The thing is I couldn't remember his name! He's been one of my closest friends for over twenty years too. It was a full five minutes before his surname came to me, but his christian name still eluded me.
Thankfully when I mentioned his surname my daughter knew who I was talking about and put me right.
Do you reckon this is a sign of things to come or just a one off?
I have been having this problem for years - inability to remember names/places that I really should know. It hasn't escalated, it is just an annoyance.
I see no reason for you to worry about it.
It's probably a sign that your memory is simply overloaded with memories. I think that the human brain can hold only so many memories, and then there's no room for any more memories. Don't let it worry you.
Drove past an old acquaintance's house today and said to my sister that I knew someone who lived there - but for the life of me I couldn't remember his name but was sure it began with B. Seeing this post I started thinking about him again and its just come to me that his name was Bruce.
When I'm lying in bed in the middle of the night, unable to get to sleep, that's when I remember the name beginning with P I couldn't remember earlier. Got it, it's James!!
It never begins with the letter I thought it did.
Well, to be honest, I would be worried if I couldn't remember the name of someone I'd known for 20yrs.
There are many times when I can't remember the name of an actor or a singer perhaps, but I don't think I've ever forgotten a friends name.
If it keeps happening or it gets worse, I would have a word with your GP if I were you.
Ha ha LB, that happens so often to me! I also call things by the wrong word and that's not because of age. When younger I shouted out in the office that a kangaroo was just landing into the airstrip. It was a helicopter! I never lived that down.
Barsel makes the point that's that gets to me. A full five minutes I took to get there. It's a long time!
Anyway I've just been out with whatshiname and I'm afraid I'm off to bed now, but thanks for all the input.
I've been doing that kind of thing my whole life so it doesn't worry me. I've developed various coping mechanisms and basically just learned to live with it.
If you've never been like that and it's recently started, probably best to consult your GP when you get a chance.
I’ve had this problem for a couple of years, and it’s got to the point of being ridiculous, and really stressing me out, but nothing I can do about it. My memory is absolutely appalling now.
I take the opposite view, I think it's worth seeking assessment because if it is an indicator of the early signs of one of the dementias, treatments are available that can radically improve functionality for much longer than in years gone by. If it isn't you will be reassured. If it is you increase your chances of getting the right help at the time it will do the most good.