Does my DH need to see the doctor r.e forgetfulness?

[Cosmomouse]

My DH is extremely forgetful, to the point of it becoming a cause of arguments.

He is not forgetful in the sense that he cannot recall long term memories, but more to do with short term information. I can give a couple of examples:

DH has the task of taking the dustbin out to the end of the lane each week in his van. Every single week he forgets to unload the bin so he ends up taking it to work with him and bringing the rubbish home again which then has to be burnt.

4 weeks ago he did this but left the bin at work. Every day since then I ask him to bring the bin home and every day he forgets. As soon as he walks in the door I ask him and his face drops.

He has a direct debit he needs to send off which he keeps forgetting to do for the past 3 weeks. Last night I printed off the forms for him and left them by his van keys. I've just been downstairs and the forms are still there.

This is driving me to tears, he tells me it is just how he is.

How would he survive on his own? It's not normal is it?

[Cosmomouse]

It seems so trivial when written down, but it he can not be trusted to do the simplest tasks which over time builds up to be maddening.

Also, he is 26 years old.

[timeforabrewnow]

Not sure a doctor would help unless there are other symptoms - sounds like he doesn't like doing certain tasks and so forgets them.

[Cosmomouse]

It is things he enjoys too. He has had 9 months to sort out his passport so that he can go on a stag do.

I have been reminding him of this for the past 6 months. Yesterday, he came home upset that he cannot go away as he did not do his passport.

He explained that he is not lazy but he just is incapable of remembering to carry out tasks.

He never ever used to be this bad. I have to remind him to brush his teeth.

It is getting progressively worse

[gemsio]

Has he always been like this or is it a recent occurance?
It sounds a bit like my stbxh, he wasn't Ill he had just NEVER had to do anything for himself growing up and this moved into adulthood.
When we were first married I had to teach him what a white wash was!
He would forget stuff all the time, found myself nagging so much in the end it was easier to do it myself.

[fluffybunnies246]

does he forget things that are more enjoyable than taking than household tasks etc…social engagements, eating etc. Or where the car is in a car park? Is he having trouble at work?

[Slippersmum]

Has he started taking any new medication? They can really impact upon short term memory.

[ALittleFaith]

I have issues like this - I'm dyslexic. My issues are more about memory, planning and organising than spelling. I've found a few things help - reminders on my phone, having a 'to do list' for the day (never more than 3 things) and taking an omega-3 supplement. It's worth checking with the doctor that there isn't anything else going on though, it does seem pretty severe!

[wfrances]

i have lapses in concentration and short term memory problems
im having a cognitive/memory test next appointment .
mines bad , i forget whether ive eaten or not ,leave taps on, things in oven, ive badly burnt my fingers getting things out of the oven,as ive forgotten to get a cloth/mitt first. i find myself in a room ,no idea why im in there.
i even forgot my friend was in my living room!

[NotAJammyDodger]

When my depression was bad my short term memory was shot. Constantly forgetting what I was doing, leaving things unfinished, would go upstairs and forget why... Etc.
Also I could read a page on a book and not take it in at all. Kept having to re-read it.
Normally, I have a superb memory for detail, conversations, never need to write things down etc.
Am not suggesting that DH is depressed necessarily but stress and it's cousins can certainly wreak havoc on short term memory.