Forgetting What You Were Just Told? What Experts Say to Watch For
A reader has written in and asked, “I keep forgetting things just told me, it’s starting to annoy my wife and daughter. What might it be?”
For many adults, even those as young as 30, there will be moments when they forget things.
However, with increased awareness of Alzheimer’s and similar memory-impacting diseases, which is a positive thing, it’s often the first condition people think of when they notice a memory issue, potentially turning a normal day into a tense moment at work or home.
According to the National Institute on Aging, mild forgetfulness can be a normal part of getting older. For example, it’s common to take longer to learn something new, misplace things occasionally, or forget a scheduled date once in a while, then catch it later.
Dementia, though, is not considered a normal part of aging, and it’s vital to remember that forgetfulness does not always mean a disease is taking over. Sometimes it means your brain is juggling too much, or it never got a clean signal in the first place.
The ears matter more than people think
Picture this scenario: Your wife is talking to you while you’re watching TV. It’s the big game with your favorite team in a last-minute moment. You nod politely, but you didn’t fully take it in. Later, when that topic comes up again and your reaction is, “I don’t remember,” it may come across as memory loss if it’s happening frequently.
Another scenario: You are having a conversation, but you are only picking up bits and pieces, more often than not relying on lip-reading and connecting the dots rather than the actual words being spoken. Again, if the topic comes up later, you may not be able to recall what was said because you didn’t hear it.
So the first step in understanding memory issues is to ask yourself: Are you listening intently and forgetting, or struggling to listen in the first place?
The truth is that people can’t remember what they didn’t hear.
Additionally, stress, anxiety, or depression can cause forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. The Cleveland Clinic adds that when you’re tired or sleep is poor, your brain can struggle to form or access memories, even when nothing severe is going on.
Finally, the National Institute on Aging says hearing loss can affect cognitive health, and it can make memory and concentration decline faster over time.
When it really is memory loss
If you clearly heard the message and what was said still disappears fast, it’s vital to watch for patterns. We recommend taking notes about what happened and when.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that signs that can show up with memory loss include:
- Asking the same question multiple times
- Trouble remembering recent conversations
- Misplacing commonly used items
- Missing appointments and diary dates
- Forgetting bills and responsibilities
If the above is combined with:
- Trouble finding words
- Difficulty doing familiar tasks
- Issues with planning and attention
It’s time to see a doctor. Always take your notes with you to help explain what’s been happening.
Plenty of causes are treatable
Here’s the part that some people are unaware of: Some memory loss is reversible.
Data from the National Institute on Aging shows that memory problems can come from things like medication side effects, sleep problems, low vitamin B12, thyroid issues, alcohol or drug misuse, and even infections or other medical problems.
Many of these have reversible causes, including sleep apnea and hypothyroidism.
The Mayo Clinic notes that there are tests that can measure memory and thinking skills, and doctors may use blood tests, brain imaging, and other checks to look for reversible causes.
One last important factor; sudden memory loss, like amnesia that comes out of nowhere, needs immediate medical attention.
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