my life has been ruined by a problem i have?

Question

my memory is awful. i cant remember people (i just met) places dates directons (even places i have been to before) faces (i have just seen) or even events that have happened to me. its like i am always walking through like in a daze. it's hard to focus or concentrate. i never read because i forget what im reading halfway through or watch a documentary because i forget everything i have seen in it. it depresses me to no end and i feel like such a idiot because of it. i did drugs as a kid mostly pot and i have huffed in the past also. i dont know where to turn or who to contact. i hope i havent ruined myself forever because i cannot live my life this way anymore. i just wish i could start over. please any help or advice on what to do would or could change my life, please please help.

Answer 1

everything is going to be alright. the past is the past and there's no sense in beating yourself up over things that you did. the good thing is, you don't do that anymore. and you haven't ruined yourself, and you are not an idiot. sometimes depression alone can cause the problems you're having. but don't you give up, because things are going to get better! you should see a doctor and tell him/her what's going on so they will be able to treat you with the very best medication for you. just tell the doctor exactly what you've said here, and I'm sure they'll understand. I know it sounds way out there, but sometimes not having the right vitamins can cause the problems you're describing. but everything's going to be alright. just go and see a doctor and they can do the tests to find out what's causing your problems okay? and never give up.
I will sincerely keep you in my prayers. God loves you and He will never let you down.

Answer 2

I am so sorry.

I know you must feel bad thinking you have done this to yourself but I can guarantee you that unless you were a very heavy user (and did hard drugs!) you are unlikely to have done this to yourself.

Having said that memory is an integral part of your make up so ask yourself- have you always been "forgetful"? Did you do well at school?

Memory is a two part game- first of all know this: Your brain never loses information. It is more of a case of either it is not getting into the brain in the first place (concentrating long enough to absorb the information) or not being able to access it again, as in recalling it.

So don't read stuff you are not going to concentrate on absorbing! This will just make it harder for you because you will get annoyed with yourself. But you know what? Practice makes perfect.

The memory can be trained.

So- work on two parts:

1. Absorb by working on your concentration (which, I feel and I am no expert, is your problem). There are a lot of techniques for doing this but I feel the best is the accessing of information you LIKE. If you watch a documentary make sure it is something which interests you a lot. Don't watch it when you ought to be going to bed.

Make sure that you eat and drink plenty of water and have a healthy level of exercise.

Despondancy and depression can really play havoc with your memory (They say that having a baby is much the same- maybe that is why I have had such a bad run of it compared to my teens...?)

I found that I HAVE to be selective- I cannot hope to remember everyone so I make a conscious decision to NOT remember everyone and only those folk I think I will need to deal with again in future (I remember business colleagues in my industry but wouldn't know a client of my husband's bike shop if they kicked me in the shin despite perhaps having sold them a bike on the rare days I am there?).

I call it a day when I am tired. Fatigue is a dead stop. No way can you improve your memory if you are tired.

And then you have stage two- you need to recall the information. I have to remember telephone numbers, passcodes and bank details. I do this really well. I make patterns from numbers and remember those. This is called a cue. I use a lot of visualisation (you could try that or music etc) to remember stuff- I SEE the number patterns and whammo- there they are.

And remember- you are NOT alone and this is not something which will end your life. I know that sounds flip but think how small this issue is when you consider that you are alive and relatively healthy!

And there is loads of help on the net. BECAUSE there are techniques for memory improvement it is something you can help yourself with.

And there are BOUND to be groups (self-help groups are very beneficial to put your "problem" into perspective) which you can join to help you get support.

:-)

I give you just ONE example of THOUSANDS out there to prove to you just how much information is out there at your finger tips:

http://www.mindtools.com/memory.html

(I have not read it or endorse it but it looked like something worth using as an example of how much is out there and how many links can be found from a single page)

Answer 3

I really think the solution is in what you just wrote, you said: "I wish I could start over" Provably the drugs you used did some damage, but we all know that humans only used part of our brains.
Start all over, start educating your brain reading, solving small problem, depending how bad your memory is, put yourself small tasks every day.. like writing names or number and try to remember then later, don't feel bad if you don't just try again and never feel discourage.
You can do it, our brain is amazing just give it some time. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Maybe see a therapist. They can use a form of therapy Called "musical therapy" its said to have restored loss of brain cells in people from diseases or bad choices. They teach you instruments and notes and since I am such a band geek right now, it could be fun! Give it a try!

Hope this helps

--Alex
Age:13

Answer 5

That's pretty rough, Diamond. It looks like your past is catching up with you.

I can't say if your problem is a 'forever' thing or not. I can tell you that your best chance of getting better is to take good care of yourself, and see a doctor who specializes in problems such as yours.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Huffing can destroy brain cells, but they can be healed some times and other parts of your brain can take over for them. It may be harder for you, but I don't think more drugs is the answer to what caused your problems in the first place do you?

Answer 7

Go and sign-up for a Chinese Qigong class nearest you, it heals alot of illnesses and disorders mentally as well as physically.

It enhances life naturally as it should be through some simple exercises and meditation.

Come on, pick yourself up and start it right away.

Your will later find out, how many years you have wasted for not doing it earlier.

Answer 8

does your parents or teachers know of this problem?maybe mom and dad could take you to see doctor or therapist, you may even be add?but testing is needed to tell for sure. i think you should be open to parents, tell them your worried, that's what parents are there for, is to help you.and just to be safe, stay away from drugs and huffing that does do stuff to brain cells,good luck and god bless you

Answer 9

Get to a doctor that takes care of people with your problem. The sooner you do that the better chance you have to get better.
Good luck.

Answer 10

sounds like you need to go around to all the schools in the usa and be a motivational speaker on the reasons not to do drugs.