Is anyone else just useless at retaining information?

[ILoveMaxiBondi]

I think I’m a relatively bright person. I did well in all my GCSEs and went to college as a mature student a few years ago to do a uni access course which whilst hard, I did extremely well in. (Didn’t get to uni for other reasons) I remember random facts out of nowhere in quizzes or whilst watching the chase but when my son asks me to help with his literacy homework I have to remind myself what an adverb is or doing the “bus stop” division method I completely forget how to do it. Formulas and equations that I knew off by heart (and understood!) for my access course have completely disappeared from my brain. It seems that I can perform well for exams but as soon as I don’t “need” the information it goes and I’ve lost it. I’ve found myself having conversations with people about things I know and I go blank. I can’t recall any information. I can read an article and then try and recall it when telling my son or a friend and I’ve forgotten all the facts. I basically end up saying some waffley shite like “you know the man, with the thing, and he talks about the place”. It makes me feel so stupid. I know I’m not. I do know this stuff. But why can I not recall it?

Yep. Earlier I said to the dog 'shall we do your dinner?' Except I didn't, because I couldn't remember the word 'dinner'. I work with a load of people who can remember things they read 5 years ago. I bought a magazine the other month, and it wasn't till I was almost finished that I realised I already owned it, and had read it the previous week.

I have a degree in a subject that required you to learn and remember a lot of facts. I think my brain is just used up.

I think I’ve met my people. My memory is so problematic. For some things I retain information really well. Patient histories at work for example, hear them once, commit them to memory. Bosh. Done. Yet I often sound so bloody stupid when recounting other information as it’s littered with ‘um, you know, aggghhh, what was it again, vague vague vaguer bollocks’.

It's because you have kids.

Me too, good degree etc. I recently read about Aphantasia, and it explains a lot - I can't picture things at all, even dreams are feelings, never pictures, and I think that must have something to do with my rubbish memory

Yes, I think i probably I have always been like this but it comes to the forefront now as when I'm answering questions I'm realising just how little I know! I'm rubbish at directions and need to look at a recipe every time I do it ... I could go on forever and answer ' oh my god me too!' to nearly everyone above!!!

I'm like this. Very good at processing information, just not at retaining it!
I briefly considered a career in medicine. Wouldn't have worked, I'd have been the emergency doctor shooting past screaming "he's got a pain in his thingy, it must be his whatsit, now can someone tell me where A&E is as I'm lost!"
I get lost a lot too.

Yes I do. I am sure that it's lack of sleep.

I used to have a great memory but now I can not retain information. I used to be good with names too but I struggle to recall new peoples names now.

My problem is more that i cant remember things that i need to do or buy. I can not go to the shop without a list. I have to put reminders in my phone for everything. My morning alarm is always switched on but i still need a reminder in my phone to check it. Bin day is on the same day every week but i still need a reminder.

There is a history of dementia in my family and i fear that i may be prone to this.

Yes I am the same. I always assumed it was because I was dyslexic. Like you academically I do fine, I'm doing my second degree, I wouldn't imgaieb I would finish with less than a 2.1 but hopefully a first.

However, I forget things a lot. So I can do learn something, do it, even teach it but a year down the line I would have to learn it again. It's ridiculous. I know people who can quote things, the same things I have read but I can only give them a Vague response about what it's about. Same with films, books etc I can read and watch more than once as I forget so easily.

I don’t think this is anything to do with intelligence. My mum has a PhD and had a successful career as an academic. When I was a teenager I was always having to remind her who characters were half way through a film and she’s hopeless in a pub quiz. My dad seems to remember everything but I’m not sure his memory has ever helped him beyond winning at Trivial pursuits.

This is a classic tho little known symptom of peri menopause...

I am so glad other people are like me! I often get about 3/4 the way through a film before I realise I've already watched it! Despite being academically clever sometimes I think I lack common sense 🙈😳

I am great at reading and remembering things I see (think I have a photographic memory) so always did well in tests however awful with names and faces!

Cigars

Omg I am exactly the same and thought I was alone in this!

I’m only mid 30’s so unlikely to be peri menopausal. This isn’t a new or recent thing either.

I am very much like this. I found out I have a type of dyslexia I had never suspected. It didn’t manifest the typical way (trouble with spelling/writing); it’s more short term memory and information processing which I struggle with. It’s made things at university and work harder.

I haven't had kids yet and am not peri menopausal. I wish I knew the answer

I am menopausal, but have had this specific brain fug for as long as I can remember...
@catlovingdoctor please tell us more. What type of dyslexia do you have?

I'm so like this. I've got a degree and a pgdip although I'm not sure how. I cant remember what I had for dinner last night. I don't remember plots from films. I cant remember directions for journeys I've made a hundred times. I have to ain for the vague direction and hope I remember the way at each junction. I can't 'see' the whole journey beforehand. I did training yesterday and when asked at the end which segment was most useful I couldn't remember what we'd covered all day!

@ifonlyiweretaller it’s a variant of dyslexia which apparently means my short term working memory is compromised . I do a practical and tough university course (Dentistry) and I have found practical aspects very difficult because integrating new instructions with knowledge is really hard. (E.g. mixing ingredients and doing things in a certain way). Having said that, once I get more practice and become more automatic at things, they are much easier. So it means I essentially need extra practice at things I find hard. Also, to have verbal instructions in exams repeated and perhaps provided in writing.
The educational psychologist I saw said I have developed coping mechanisms over time to overcome my struggles.
When she told me more details it really made a lot of sense. I am able to remember certain things/details very well, but for unfamiliar things it is very challenging. I’ve never been good with directions or the like; because it involves multi-processing skills.

ADHD? often overlooked in girls. Many adults have it ( you don't grow out of it) It's common, about 3 % of us have it. It's a difference of cognition with the inability to use executioner function.

executive , auto correct

@catlovingdoctor Thanklyou for repling. That must be really challenging for you in your chosen career. As for directions - if I ask, I genuinley dont take on board what they're telling me, despite thinking at the time that I do. (It's a standing joke in our family now)

I almost feel i've 'blagged my way' through life in some ways as I am very well respected business-wise but then I massively let myself down failing to remember certain things, some of which should be pretty significant!

For example, at a recent specialist skincare appointment I had treatment on my left hand for a pre-cancerous abnormality which was successful. But yesterday I got a weird lump on the same hand and I cannot for the life of me remember if it's in the same place as the treatment I had a few months ago, or a new problem. Most people would be totally in tune with that wouldnt they?

My memory is terrible and is getting worse. I actually returned to college in September but ended up leaving as I just can't remember things. At work I have to actually write down the name of the client I am working on and info I need as within minutes I have forgotten. I will do the typical thing of walk into a room and have no idea why. It's interesting you mention Peri menopausal as my Dr has just said that she thinks that's what I have and I'm only 38 and she has recommended life style changes instead of medication as I'm still young but can't see how that's going to help my memory.

I hate it when someone gives me directions. Eg, go straight down the corridor and turn left then take the lift to the 3rd floor and go through the double doors to room 7. Even a repetition of it and i still only remember the first bit. I can check my watch two or three times and have no idea what time it is.