This is a serious question?

Question

so helpful answers only please. Just recently I have noticed that my husband is getting more and more forgetful. First of all I thought it was selective memory, but this lack of remembering things has caused friction between us as I thought he was just being akward. But now I realise it must be something more serious. I have spoken to him about my concern for him and asked if would go and see his GP, but he refuses. What can I do
to help him? I know that as we get older memory loss is common but not to his extent it's not. He is under a great deal of stress at work and thought this could be the reason behind it all.

Thank you

Nino9stars, you are certainly on the right track. He wrokds away from home which is even more worrying. so I am going to make an appoitment for efore it gets to him completley

Answer 1

I'm not sure how old your husband is exactly, but as a guy who is getting "forgetful" I might be able to at least offer up my view of the situation.

I have a lot of things going on with my life. I run my own company, manage a few sports teams, and try to maintain a social life. This is very daunting. That being said, it doesn't help that I get nagged whenever I "forget" something. My guess is that your husband is just distracted more than anything. The last thing he wants to do after coming home from work is think about what he does or doesn't have to do. I tend to have so many things running through my mind, that I need to prioritize them. In order, it usually goes: work, and then social life. Now I'm not sure, but I would guess that the things your husband is "forgetting" might fall under the social category. If I am even close to right (I might be WAY off base), then hopefully you are understanding and simply just remind him of things instead of making a big deal out of it.

Anyways, maybe you could shed some light on the things he might be forgetful of? If it's chores, or outings, I find that lists are a good way to go.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

When was the last time he had a physical? Memory loss could be caused by so many different things. It could be just stress, or something that would require more indepth investigation. Don't be alarmed about it as this will only make him balk further at having himself examined by a physician. However, if you are noticing a change in him, and he doesn't recognize it, you SHOULD assume there is a problem. There are many different non-invasive tests for memory problems (Cohen-Mansfield, MMSI) that any physician can administer. You might consider planning a "lunch date" that ends up with you driving him to the Dr's office to an appointment that you "just happened to" arrange. Best wishes, and I hope it turns out to be JUST STRESS!!

Answer 3

Iwould seriously suggest that he gets help for stress and quickly! I don't want to alarm you, I work with people with dementia and have come across cases of people who at one stage in their lives seemed to crack under immense stress and were never the same again. Now this may just be coincidence, they may already have had a brain disease but there is a strong possibility that the stress did contribute to their final diagnosis. Stress would cause memory loss anyway. As I say I don't want to alarm you, but it is worth bearing in mind. In any case if he is stressed then he should certainly try to do something about it. It is difficult when somebody will not go to their doctor when you are worried so much. Tell him how worried you are and that you insist he goes for your own peace of mind. Good luck.

Answer 4

Stress is a very likely cause, unless he is old enough for it to be 'normal' loss. But the first thing you want to consder is a physical cause--that's pretty much the easiest thing to eliminate. While there are all sorts fo herbs and stuff that claim to aid in memory, your first bet should be to add fruits and vegetables to his diet--most men don't get enough--and to see if you can increase his activity level. Lots of times, it's just stagnation, which means he just 'ain't interested.' By the way, does this memory loss trouble him? It's a credit to you that you are worried, but if he isn't, maybe you should find out why he is not.

Answer 5

I've experienced memory loss myself, and I'm only 19 years old. I can't remember a lot of things like I used to, and it's simply because of stress. There is a product out there (can be purchased at Wal-Mart) called Stresstabs. They're only $7 or so for 75 tablets. They come in a red box. I take one every day and they've really seemed to help. Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Stress plays a major part in all sorts of illnesses and when at its most severest can cause forgetfulness and as we call its blanks. It is obviously important that he sees a doctor to rule out anything else and also to deal with his stress. Express your concern to him and tell him you are going to book this appointment wether he likes it or not and ask him to put the boot on the other foot and would he be concerned? Do make sure you go with him. I hope all goes well for the both of you, kind wishes.

Answer 7

.Well, I experienced a lack of concentration and what seemed to be memory loss when suffering with stress induced depression.
It was very scary, I was scared it was dementia or mad cow disease!!! This I am sure made it even worse.

Of course he has to recognise this for what it is, and get a little bit of help from the GP, by way of possible counselling or medication, nothing too heavy, but trust me it helped me very quickly get back to my old self. One in four of us get this at some time during our life, and hey we probably got the short straw. Good luck!

Answer 8

How old is he? You really need to get him evaluated by the GP. If he absolutely won't go, you can perform your own memory loss test on him, possibly without him even knowing it. It's commonly used to evaluate Alzheimer's. It involves a series of questions, and you can probably get it from your GP. This can be a very serious thing, and could even be something like a brain tumor. Memory loss comes from a variety of different causes, and needs to be evaluated by a physician.

Answer 9

Alzheimer's?
Is he on medication, has he epilepsy or other medical condition?
If he won't help himself, even you won't be able to act as an advocate I'm afraid.
Could just be the stress though. Perhaps have a word with him again. Sounds like you've got a proud, stubborn husband who is scared stiff of a diagnosis or of losing face.
Good luck and just keep supporting him.
Or if it gets unbearable, drive him somewhere and lose him and see if he can get himself home.......!!

Answer 10

you haven't mentioned his age, depends on his job too is he working shifts and lack of sleep could be the cause if he is getting less sleep he will be lacking in memory and concentration .
if lack of sleep is not the problem you can go see your Gp for advice and tell him your husband is not willing to visit normally the doctor will be able to give you possible solutions or ask to see your husband you could also make an appointment for him yourself and trick your husband into going telling him its an appointment for you and u need him to come with u (lie your heart out)