Long Term Memory

[MisterSmith]

I am posting this here because I don't think it is really a medical question and don't want to bug Dr. Steve, but I would like some input from my fellow dot-netters.


What is your memory like?

I ask because mine seems to have changed but it may just be a normal part of getting older.

Here is what I mean: My memories used to be very vivid and complete; I could remember almost anything and would recall all those involved and all of the emotions that went with it.

However, a couple years ago I ran into some medical problems and ever since it seems my memory has changed. Now my memories are more like remembering bits and pieces of a movie I watched - My memory is not particularly vivid and I feel very little emotional attachment, like watching somebody else perform the actions on TV.

There are some things that stick out with clarity and emotion, but they are predominantly traumatic events. My short term memory is also nothing like what it used to be. It is really weird.

Is this just something that happens when you get older? I am assuming so, but would like some input so I can feel a little better about it.

Thank all!

[EliSnow]

I don't know the answer myself. My memory used to be incredible. Not photographic, but pretty close.

Over the years, it hasn't been as good. I'm not saying bad, because it's still pretty good. But it's not as good as it once was.

I don't know if it's age, alcohol, or the three concussions I've suffered over the years.

[Thebazile78]

Medical issues can certainly have an impact on your ability to remember things, but so can practice.

Studies have found that things like doing the crossword puzzle every day or another type of "play" can be beneficial to retaining your brainpower, among other things.

[boosterp]

Medical issues, especially mental health issues can play a big part in memory.

Things we introduce into our bodies like alcohol and pot can impact you memory, especially short term memory.

Stress is another factor that affects your memory, mainly due to processing new info and the ability to store other information. It's complicated so I hope that brief statement helps.

Trauma such as head injuries, strokes, etc can affect memory in some of the worse ways.

Age to plays a part in that older memories are not overwritten just harder to access. They are there but take a lot to access it.

In my case having a complicated mental health ruined my memory, the therapeutic level of my meds helps with my memory but it is nothing like what it was.

[GreatAmericanZero]

i'm sure genetics has a huge part. I know my memory is shit and my dad is exactly the same way

[GregoryJoseph]

My long term memory seems to be incredibly selective, and I guess everyone's is to some degree. For example, I can vividly remember winning my Little League World Series but I can barely remember some vacations my parents took us on.

Sometimes my mother will say "remember when I took you to Broadway to see (insert various play here), or when we saw the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall?" and I honestly don't, which frustrates her to no end. She winds up screaming "Why did I do all these nice things for you if you don't even remember them?"

Well, they were nice to her but obviously I had no interest in them. I suppose that's an integral part of memory; whether or not you want to remember the event.

[TheGameHHH]

Medical issues can certainly have an impact on your ability to remember things, but so can practice.

Studies have found that things like doing the crossword puzzle every day or another type of "play" can be beneficial to retaining your brainpower, among other things.

yea, those are all known as brain training exercises.....and studies have shown that you can improve things like long term, short term and working memory as well as selective and divided attention.