Is it common for sa survivors to have memory problems? I am so tired of them, I want to be healed!!!! Is there any quick fix for memory problems?

Stder,

I can't speak for the other survivors, but my memory ain't worth s**t. Many SA victims repress their traumatic memories for years. I did. I am a firm believer that I got so good at forgetting that it became habit and I forget important and meaningful things as well.

Quick fix? If you find one, please let me know!

Lots of love,

John

The only way out is through, eh? My poor wife!

I am horrible with my memory problems. I'm constantly messing up at work, and the anxiety that comes from my messing up doesn't help either.

If I figure something out I'll keep you posted.

I've always had memory problems and never thought to relate it to my SA. It is not as bad as it used to be, but still pretty bad. I have to set up reminders on my computer to pay bills or for appointments. I used to write myself notes all the time. I have to leave things by my car keys if I want to remember to take it with me. If I bring movies back that I rented I have to leave them right above the steering wheel in the car or I'll drive back home and forget to return them. More often than not I even forget to fix myself a lunch to take to work. I have yet to find anything that helps. The really weird thing is that I can remember numbers very easily. I have so many numbers memorized, its crazy. Bank account numbers, routing numbers, 2 checking account numbers, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, any number that I use on a regular basis. I once had a 16 digit debit card number memorized because the bank required me to use it to log in online. Does this sound weird?

My short term memory is usless, I foget where I put things, leave keys in doors, lose my wallet, forget to take books I rented back.
It does drive me crazy sometimes.

I always leave cash cards at home, and spent days looking for my library ticket which I left at the library.
Forgetting bills is also a worry.

My pdoc says it is caused by anxiety plus depression, so I suppose if you can control that your memory may return.

My long term memory certainly isnt that bad, just short term Grrrr!

ste

I can relate to the poor performance at work. I can sometimes combat the memory problems but it takes a heckuvalot of effort.

Stder,

You are so right: the only way out is right through the thick of things. We don't escape, we have to cope and resolve things.

On memory problems, I have sometimes had that so bad I thought I was going insane. But what was happening was that I was overloading emotionally. When that happens all kinds of strange things can show up. For example, I have from time to time had trouble reading numbers, sorting out the order of events happening in the past, present and future, and encountered severe spelling problems. My T helped me see that this wasn't me melting down - I just needed to back off and take it easier on myself.

Much love,
Larry

Thanks Larry,
It helps so much to know that others have gone through the same thing! I too have thought I was going insane when I couldn't sort out the order of events in my life.

I know that my short term memory is miserable

I can remember things from 25+ years ago like it was yesterday - but I can hardly remember what i did the day before yesterday...

as a young kid I had so much bad things going on in my life - I did not want to remember anything that was happening to me - I could not make any sense out of so much of what was happening - I think that my mind just kinda went into an overload mode where it just shut things out of my short term memory

even yet today the more stressed I am - the less i remember (and of course that just leads to more stress)