Forgetting words while speaking

[buddybean]

I keep forgetting names of things while speaking. I just observed it keeps getting worse. DH keeps making fun of me. I feel very conscious speaking to people now lest I look like a fool saying "that thing over there that thing over there". I'm otherwise healthy and active. But I do have to say I get less sleep than I should be getting because I have a 1yr old who keeps waking up. Can anyone relate with me regarding this word retrieval problem?. Today when DH was asking for DD1s hat I kept saying "it's on that behind that" what I wanted to say was "the hat is on the desk behind the door". I did visit the GP and she said it happens to her quite often and just didn't seem much concerned. Any advice or similar experiences for reassurance?

It happens to me all the time but it's caused by the menopause.

Yep. I had the same issue after my Dad died and a whole other bunch of shit happened. I was also concerned, so I mentioned it to my GP and he scheduled me in for a memory test.

Nothing wrong with my memory. It was basically just grief and too much stress in my life. It's happening a lot less often these days (almost a year on) and I'm no more forgetful than the average person.

@Headband I'm 33. I don't think in my case it's menopause . Dr.Google keeps giving really scary diagnosis.

Check your thyroid.

Yes it's totally normal. I really wanted to say "welcome to motherhood." It gets worse with each child you have too 😅

@LividSleep Had my routine bloods done everything came back normal. I have high BP which started after my DD2 birth and I'm on amlodipine. No other health problems. I wonder if amlodipine is the culprit here.

I have 2 under 2 and this also happens a lot when I’m particularly sleep deprived or feeling overwhelmed. Sounds like your DH could help by doing a little more rather than mocking you.

I'm autistic (not suggesting you are though!) and have this when stressed or tired. It's called anomic aphasia and is really annoying.

Yeah there are proven changes to the brain when you become a new mother. Supposed to make you more caring, but comes at the expense of memory apparently! It does change back but not sure how long after birth.
That said, obviously if it deteriorates I would go back to the GP.

Vitamin B12 deficiency will do this. I am improved since supplementing with it. B12 deficiency will eventually lead to dementia so you want to do something about it. Your doctor should do so too!

Your H needs a kick up the arse and to start doing his fair share so there is less on your plate to cope with.

Sleep deprivation or lack of quality sleep affects us in so many ways

This is one of them!

@CrunchyCarrot B12 results were fine as well. 419 or something similar.

Lack of sleep and stress (often linked, as insomnia is my go-to stress reaction) does it for me.

I think it's sleep deprivation. When mine were little my memory was shocking. I'd do things like pay for my shopping then walk out and leave the shopping in the supermarket!

I have the same. It's not just physical things I just forget words in general and I've also started forgetting how to spell words. It makes me feel like an idiot. I'm on a lot of medication so it could be that or possibly peri-menopause. For you it could maybe be lack of sleep.

I spoke to the GP and they did a memory test and said I was fine. I'm not gone though - I hate it! So you have my sympathy.

Long standing issue for me, which has only got worse with motherhood and age (I have ADHD as well which likely doesn’t help) I’ve never overly worried about it, annoying though it is.

This has been happening to me more and more. Just random words that I can’t find and am then left floundering in the conversation. I’m 37. I’ve presumed maybe peri menopause. My kids are over 8 so sleep isn’t the reason for me.

I would definitely put that down to new motherhood and lack of sleep, or possibly covid / other virus after effects.

DH keeps making fun of me.

He needs to stop doing this RIGHT NOW. Whether he realises it or not, he is adding to your stress. It's so disrespectful. And the inevitable response of "I'm only joking" is not acceptable either.

I used to work with people with speech issues after trauma (not saying yours is caused by trauma). One of the common issues was forgetting words or not being able to get words out during the flow of conversation. Anxiety (conscious and subconscious) about looking foolish just makes the problem worse.

FWIW I get this when I'm very tired. It's almost like my brain can't catch up with itself.

Yes, do this (if it wasn't included in your previous blood tests) I had the exact same thing before I was diagnosed as having an underactive thyroid.

I’m 23 and this is literally me!

I realised my speech was getting worse when I had 2 under 2. Now, it’s permanently a mess and I’m forever stuttering and missing out words. I spoke with my manager the other day and I couldn’t even form one sentence. He was looking at me like, ‘can you just spit it out?!’

Your DH certainly shouldn’t be mocking you though. I really think this is just motherhood as I’m constantly tired and stressed (both children have disabilities). Seems like this is just my life now

I've had it, used to be caused my anaemia, now it's hormonal (menopause)

I sometimes get this too. I often get appropriate wording mixed up so I’ll say dinner instead of breakfast, bottle instead of cup/mug and get laughed at. But it stresses me out because the word doesn’t instantly come to my mind and I say whatever is there instead, when I feel like who I am speaking to should be aware of what I’m trying to say. I have a 5 month old so it could be sleep deprivation related but also hormonal changes. Keep going back to the gp if it doesn’t improve. You can also get blood test kits online to check your vitamin levels, I’m waiting for my results to come back.

Definitely a symptom of sleep deprivation. And of menopause. But in your case, broken sleep is the likely reason.