Written by
Additional Posts
Forgetting is great. We need to do more of it. That's the essence of a story titled, "You Must Remember This: Forgetting Has Its Benefits," that recently ran on wsj.com. It's a great read and very heartening to those of us who study and read about memory problems to the point that we can hardly have ...
Thank you, Carol, for such a timely article. I am often asked by others about their forgetfulness...I believe the more dementia has been brought forward, the more fright people have... The doctors even started out by telling me that loss of memory is normal as we age...I feel they pooh-poohed my symptoms as they hear of so many patients living in fear of getting dementia, while only a few actually have a problem... We must keep bringing to the forefront that an occasional lax in memory is okay. We must rcontinue to reassure the public that there are many reasons for a weak memory--and one of the biggest is stress. How stressful must it be to worry about dementia whenever you forget something... One is far better off to do all they can to remain mentally and physically active and let come what must...or what may... I hope I've made sense and that you understand my main idea: worrying only makes your memory worse.
Great point, Leah! It does. Stress causes most of my memory lapses - trying to do too much at once, instead of going with the flow. As always, your insights are so welcome.
It had to be frustrating for you to not be taken seriously, but I do think doctors hear it all the time, and sometimes don't take time to figure out if the person is just stressed out and frantic about aging or if they have a legitimate problem.
Best,
Carol
Again Leah you said a mouthful. I feel more stressed with each day and yes after my accident I had total memory loss for two years. I still suffer from some short term memory and combine that with the stess of caring for Ray forget it. I have asked my doctors so many times if I am getting alzheimers and he ran me through the test many times to ease my own mind then finally told me Connie it's the stress. He also told me (I see him once a month) that when he starts suspecting Alzheimers he will tell me but to try breathing and count to ten to relax and quit worrying it's just stress I am under. You do so much and help so many you truly are a marvel. Thank you Connie
You are one of many who worry about Alzheimers/dementia. It hit me like a ton of bricks--I had never (that I can remember) worried about it. There was no history of it in our family; we are riddled with heart disease and diabetes. The mini strokes I had are what caused my vascular dementia. Once I was diagnosed, every one around me began to worry that they were getting dementia whenever they forgot something...with education about the disorder and watching me as I go about my daily life, they are calming down now. Your doctor sounds awesome! Thanks for your response. Take care and may God bless!
Leah