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Young and have a really bad memory


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Hi, Im hoping someone can give me any suggestions to help or as to why I have such a bad memory. Im 24 and currently a graduate student in science but I have an extremely bad memory for everything. Someone would tell me 5 times on different occasions the name of someone or something and I wouldn’t be able to remember the next day even if I remember when they told me I just can’t remember the specifics. It’s not that I’m not trying to remember either, I know that I will forget so I try my hardest to remember and repeat it over and over but the next time that its brought up I can’t remember it. It’s really frustrating and also annoys people around me.

 

I don’t know what to do to help with this. Does anyone have any advice?

 

Thanks so much!

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I know that even though i work really hard to remember things, I have so much other that i think about 24/7 that if i dont write it down, I WILL FORGET. its so frustrating. Some people just bombard their brain i guess. Have you spoken with a Dr.? it may seem frustrating now, but memory problems can be signs to bigger problems. Couldnt hurt.

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Hi, Im hoping someone can give me any suggestions to help or as to why I have such a bad memory. Im 24 and currently a graduate student in science but I have an extremely bad memory for everything. Someone would tell me 5 times on different occasions the name of someone or something and I wouldn’t be able to remember the next day even if I remember when they told me I just can’t remember the specifics. It’s not that I’m not trying to remember either, I know that I will forget so I try my hardest to remember and repeat it over and over but the next time that its brought up I can’t remember it. It’s really frustrating and also annoys people around me.

 

I don’t know what to do to help with this. Does anyone have any advice?

 

Thanks so much!

 

Have you thought about rhyming the name with something, or relating it to someone you know?

 

Consider your cognitive strengths and adapt the memory to remember in the at modality.

 

For example, if you're a visual learner try and remember a celebrity or relative/friend with the same name and picture them together. Or even a colour. If you meet a roger, remember RED for Roger, and repeat that. Don't just repeat the name over and over, repeat "red for roger" and visualise something red. - Its always easier to remember something you know, than someone you don't really know that well.

 

If you're an auditory learner, use the rhyming trick. If you meet Dan, think of Dan the Van or Dan the Man. You can picture a van, etc...

 

These are little mneumonics.

 

And writing stuff down NEVER hurts

 

Good luck!

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I have this SAME problem!!! I have an awful memory when it comes to "everyday" things... and it REALLY scares me!!

 

I'm pretty good student however, and have little issue with remembering concepts.. and am able to study well for tests..... but I think back a year or so, and my mind really just skims over everything.. and I think back further to HS, and I really can't even remember a typical day in my life....

 

But everyone I know seems to remember everything!!! I hang out with them, and they'll recite seemingly great stories about ME, and I won't even remember it!!!

 

It has scared me so much, that I've started writing a journal to chronicle my journey throughout life... and that helps a lot!!! As for the "everyday", I actually implemented a thing at work due to my poor memory...

 

I'm a manager for a unit of behavioral disordered youth, and I have a system in place where they will write "requests" down on these printed pieces of paper to hand to me so I won't forget it.. I've told them I have a terrible memory and this is the only way I can remember to do things they ask!!!

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I'm 17 and have a bad memory (can't remember what some of my friends look like sometimes, a bad thing when you walk past them in the shops and they notice and greet you). If you can as well, try remember distinct features about them to remember there name.

 

Have you thought about rhyming the name with something, or relating it to someone you know?

 

Another good one

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  • 7 months later...

Hi, I recognise your dilemma although I a bit am older my situation have been the same for ever (I think). It has been suggested that issues like depression and/ or my dyslexia may have to do with it – I was sent by my GP for a test that showed up as I had a normal functioning memory. Unfortunately it does not do me any favours in everyday life: casual social situations are immensely difficult: sometimes think I am pretty cretin I have met someone but cant trust my own judgement – meeting a neighbour or client (I am a freelance designer) but cant recall names or context: what am I suppose to say? Most frustrating is the meeting with someone you know you do like and respect but can not recall personal details or conversations. I feel it appears like I don’t care or rudely ignore what we may have in common and therefore try to keep the conversation v short or basic. The painful fact is that despite actually liking to socialize and enjoy company I increasingly avoid people. It is not obvious though if the memory is the cause (witch I do believe) or if a general social inaptness prevents me from cold taking – making me uncomfortable and stressed leading to memory blockage?? Lately I have stopped drinking alcohol but this have not (yet) made thing better : I even more feel like I am under gun point when “cold” socialising.

It does of cause exist a large amount of tricks to keep everyday tasks reasonably afloat: BUT the main thing that would be a great relief would be to be able to socialize with people that understood or genuinely did not mind this problem. Something like a “memory club” sounds like a joke perhaps but were one don’t have to pretend to remember everything but discuss things, enjoy the moment and take situations and people as they are.

 

Well take care and focus on you strengths; and keep us posted when you run in to that magic memory drug.

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Have you thought about rhyming the name with something, or relating it to someone you know?

 

Consider your cognitive strengths and adapt the memory to remember in the at modality.

 

 

For example, if you're a visual learner try and remember a celebrity or relative/friend with the same name and picture them together. Or even a colour. If you meet a roger, remember RED for Roger, and repeat that. Don't just repeat the name over and over, repeat "red for roger" and visualise something red. - Its always easier to remember something you know, than someone you don't really know that well.

 

If you're an auditory learner, use the rhyming trick. If you meet Dan, think of Dan the Van or Dan the Man. You can picture a van, etc...

 

These are little mneumonics.

 

And writing stuff down NEVER hurts

 

Good luck!

 

I agree with this one hundred percent.

 

I trained my memory a while ago using an old tried-and-tested method (very similar to the method described above!) It’s improved my memory a lot - not just with school work, but life in general. Shopping lists, things to do and especially remembering faces. It’s very, very useful and I would say it has changed my life.

 

Some see mnemonics as childish - but often people with the greatest memories in the world rely to a heavy extent on mnemonics. It’s worth a try.

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  • 3 years later...

Registered just to react to this.

Needless to say i have the same problem. After many years of self research i came up with the following. First of all I feel that my brain is MUCH more evolved on the creative side. For me it takes a certain quality of information for my brain to wake up. Some patterns. Something interesting. Something stylish. Something that i can use in connection with something else. I am DEFINITELY an extremely dreamy personality. My mind is always searching for patterns, global solutions, epic feelings and situations. With this kind of brain quality it is hard to remember things which i cannot place in the grander scheme with something i have an emotional attachment to. For example if i get to know a person my mind is focusing on the world views of that person, opinions, some stuff which made them who they are today. This stuff is easy to remember. But if this person says some info which i do not understand or do not feel how it connects or effects that person - my mind finds it useless and throws it out of the window. I could call this an elite or snobby brain. Definitely hard to make use of it in our times. I am much interested in music, esoterics, philosophy. There are people who are strongly rational thinkers, there are the ones who are more creative. I definitely lack the balance between the two. It has its drawbacks. We are ashamed because of our mental preference only because in our time there are not as many well respected areas of work or life in which we can put our creativity to good use as for those with an opposite talent. No market for creativity. Sorry if i described my opinion with too much reference to myself. It was easier to express it this way. Hope it helps.

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I also "diagnosed" myself with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 25, and I still believe my memory is worse than normal. I compensate for it through well-thought-out systems of notetaking. I would not bother with gimmicky things such as rhymes/color association because those are only good for very short-term things like grocery lists. I've tried those techniques before but they're not good in the long term.

 

I'm talking bigger things. On my computer at home I have files like:

- Time Line: I write down the dates on which special things happen, like when I went to see a particular show; there are columns in this chart where I write down things that happened to my family, my friends, in the world, etc. I review this periodically.

 

- Name List: In order to remember the names of my friends' friends, I write them down in this Word document, with a brief description of what they look like and a few details about them. If I happen to know that I'm going to see a particular friend, I sometimes review this list so I temporarily know what I'm talking about. Sometimes a photo, too.

 

- Addresses: I don't have a smartphone, but needless to say I have printed out addresses/phone numbers on a tiny piece of paper and carry it with me at all times. This includes my own phone number and cell phone number.

 

- Reminders: I doubt that I would remember to do anything if I didn't write a note to remind myself. The notes have to be handled carefully. At night, I make notes for things I need to do the next day, and put them near the door so I take them with me in the morning. During the day, as tasks accumulate that I need to take care of at home, I make notes for those and put them in my pocket. When I get home, I take all the notes out of my pocket; those which I should have done at work but didn't go back in front of the door; the ones I will do that night stay on the nighttable, and the ones which are not immediate get stuck on the wall.

 

Of course, I also have notes about birthdays, etc. which are good to look at once a month to see what's coming up.

 

P.S. the very act of writing something down helps you remember it (ironically, you sometimes don't need the note itself anymore once you've written it). So write down the details as you're told them!

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  • 1 year later...

Wow, this was also my reason for registering! I agree with your line of thinking. I STRUGGLE to find a career that my inability to retain info will support. I also focus on anecdotal evidence over factual. I'd be a horrible witness to a crime. But I'm extremely organized, intuitive etc. So it's hard to prove there's something hindering me. I'd like to hear more about you. What traumas in the past, sleep issues, etc.

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