Why do I keep blacking out?

Question

Every once in a while, I'll completely forget what I did. Sometimes it is only for a few minutes, sometimes for hours, but I'll occasionally realize I have no idea what I've been doing. What the crap? And I don't drink or do drugs so I know thats not it.

Answer 1

see your g p first to rule out any organic problem. a neurologist may be help full also. certain stresses can also cause this, but have it checked out to rule out any psychical problems good luck

Answer 2

Stress can cause a lot of things to happen to our memory. If you are under a great amount of pressure, or are particularly worried about something that could be the problem.
Another thing to look at is, do you actually lose conciousness or will you be doing something, stop doing it (for whatever reason) then return to the area you were doing that activity and then not be able to remember what you were doing?
It seems a very touchy thing.. as it could be something as simple as just forgetfulness to something as serious as a seizure disorder.
Simple partial seizures are possible, as you do not lose conciousness, just stare blankly into space and lose moments of your life in the process. It differs from daydreaming in that you cannot and do not remember anything about the time you were staring into space..
I have complex partial seizures where I actually lose conciousness and shake and do the ordinary "seizure" activity- get an 'aura' (sometimes a smell I smell right before a seizure along with a feeling that is familiar only to my seizures in my chest and stomach.) That happens about 15-20 seconds before I have a seizure.
My suggestion is become more aware of what you are doing BEFORE your black-outs. Write them down in a notebook. Be aware as much as you can of the time of day or night it is at all times (as much as possible) that you have these black outs. Write that down also. See if there are any triggers for them- injury,arguments, anger-anything like that. Write it down in the notebook.. Make an appointment with a doc.. someone who can refer you to a neurologist if necessary. Be safe- don't drive if you are of driving age!! It is dangerous to you and anyone around you. You could have a 'spell' and hurt yourself and others on the road!
Things like this can be controlled with medicine.. I haven't had a seizure in over two years (YAY!) Mine were caused from a head injury when I was a child.. from jumping on the bed..
LIke I said, if you do get to a doc, and I hope you do, take that notebook with you and show him your documentations.. don't feel foolish as you will find he will be asking you all of these questions over and over trying to determine if something brings them on!
Stay safe and I hope its nothing bad!

Answer 3

If drugs and alcohol are truly not a factor and other organic factors have been ruled out, and you experience what we refer to as "time loss" it is likely dissociation that is ocurring. This is a defense mechanism that develops in response to past trauma and needs careful assessment if this is the case for you.
If you have not seen a doctor and particularly a neurologist, you need to do this first in order to rule out oganic causes. "Time loss" is a common symptom of temporal lobe epilepsy/partial complex seizures and needs to be evaluated before assuming it has psychiatric origins.

Answer 4

Well, at the worst case you have short term memory loss
your brain can't physically turn over recent memories to the outer parts for long term storage.

You definitely need to see someone about this, let's just hope you don't forget that you've posted something here. No I'm not trying to be funny.

Answer 5

It's called "Losing Time," or yes having "black outs"

In my opinion it's caused by severe stress, although uncommonly can be caused by tumors or brain growths.

You need to visit your doctor soon.

--Lee Ann