Is having poor memory a sign of depression?

[WindRavenX]

I was bummin' around webmd earlier to see if I should be considering talking to a couselor about whether I'm in a mental "funk" or if I have a more serious depression. WebMd has one of the symptoms of depression as having a poor memory, and that is something that I've had for months, along with the usual signs of being blue. But that's normal for me- I usually get 2-3 down weeks every 3-4 months, and I have been due for that, I'm under a tremendous amount of stress due to family and school financial issues, AND I have PMS.
I'm not asking for medical advice coz I know those threads get locked prompty but I thought the poor memory thing was a bit odd:hi:

[2bfree]

1. Yep.

It can be. You should go to the DR and tell them your symptoms and have some blood work done. It could be from hypothyroidism as well. Google hypothyroidism symptoms and see if it could be a fit.

[WindRavenX]

heh, that's a no brainer

I have the slowest bloody metabolism on the planet....but nothing else I found abnormal :hi:

[steely]

2. I forget.

Just kidding - Seriously, I would think it was (memory lapse) - I've had boughts that I just try to manage. had a longer answer but got long winded - hang in.

[mdmc]

8. snicker

thought the same thing...

[wryter2000]

3. Memory and stress

Any kind of stress can distract you and therefore cause memory problems. While my husband was dying, I'd lose my keys. I left my wallet by his hospital bed one night. I was unhappy, for sure, but not clinically depressed.

Right after 9/11 I heard a psycholgist on the radio say that all of us would be making mental boo-boos for a while because of the stress. Like leaving your briefcase on the top of the car and driving off. I almost ran out of gas because I forgot to stop at the gas station.

I'd never diagnose depression based on one symptom, but if you have several, you may be depressed.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. In this world, who wouldn't be depressed?

Hey, it's unhealthy NOT to be depressed, in my estimation.

Funks are funks; you're in a funk. Get some sunshine.

Depressed people do NOT research their condition, believe me. Don't buy all this stuff you're hearing from advertisers and pharmaceutical companies about anti-depressants. Real depression is a disorder that doesn't have you posting questions like yours.

Get out, go for a walk, get some fresh air, exercise, take good physical care of yourself, get offline, and stay away from your computer.

That's Step One.

I can't remember what Step Two is, but I'm Old.

:)

[FuzzySlippers]

12. Huh? Depressed people don't research their conditition?

Dayum! All those books I read and here I wasn't even really depressed!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. See?

Don't you feel better already?

[Nikia]

5. Stress can cause poor memory

Your brain concentrates on that instead of retaining stuff. My first counselor said that's how she knew if her stress was getting out of control, if she started doing things like leaving the milk out of the fridge.

[Lady Freedom]

6. go see someone

Being a sufferer of depression, I can say without a dough that it is better to be safe that sorry!!!

[Bridget Burke]

7. Could be.

If there's a counselor available, you might see what they have to say.

[aden_nak]

9. I don't think - wait, what did you ask? *sigh* Not like it matters anyhow.

[Redstone]

10. I used to know whether that was the case

but I've forgotten.

Go see a shrink anyway...can't hurt.

Redstone

[WindRavenX]

11. yeah

I probably will talk to someone- but I am NOT going on meds. Fuck that.

[Redstone]

15. Don't be afraid of medicine!

Clinical depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain.

Diabetes is a chemical imbalance in your pancreas.

If you were diabetic, would you hesitate to take insulin?

Depression does not mean that you're weak, or that you're crazy, any more than having diabetes does.

And antidepressants don't "get you addicted."

There are those who will argue the above (there are people who will argue anything), but don't listen to them.

But the only way to find out is to talk to a professional. Thaat's what they're there for. If your knee hurt, you'd go see an orthopedic doctor, wouldn't you? If your mind hurts...

Hope this helps.

Redstone

[WhirlyGirl]

13. I concur w/ what others have said about stress affecting memory...

... and concentration in general. When you have a lot on your mind, you're always thinking about what's coming up and you're hardly ever "in the moment" -- which makes memories not stick as well.

If you have PMS you also have, um, periods -- which if heavy enough can cause your HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL to inch slowly downward until iron deficiency anemia becomes a real problem. Then you're looking at chronic breathlessness and weariness. So if your hemoglobin is below, say, 10, and you're waking up in a lake every month, you need to find out if FIBROIDS are a factor.

One symptom of anemia is "pica" -- the urge to chew on non-food items such as ICE, pencil erasers, bits of paper, etc. When my hemoglobin was at 7.4, ice was one of the major food groups for me! Sound like you? Check it out!

But maybe you're just tired and distracted as others have suggested, and that's why you're not remembering details very well. And when that happens it makes you feel discouraged.

Good luck finding out what the cause really is!

[Coventina]

14. Yes it is.

And the sad part is, the time you spend severely depressed will almost be "missing".

The years 1997-2000 are EXTREMELY fuzzy for me. I can barely remember them.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

17. I know, I know

The sixties and seventies are like that for me.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Yes

also a lack of ability to concentrate.

[Acryliccalico]

19. Yes it is a symptom of depression.

:kick: I have it too!

[steve2470]

20. it could be depression or something else. Best to have the doc

rule out organic etiology before embarking into the psychiatric realm. Just my $0.02 worth.

[Donailin]

21. Having a poor memory is a symptom of many things like

vitamin deficiency, specifically B. or anemia. or hyperthyroidism. or lupus. or diabetes. or living under the bush regime. or being a normal human with circumstances that are not conducive to happiness.

Do not google depression or you'll think the worst, it's just so common.

Best way to get out of it? Go make a visit to a homeless shelter or nursing home, befriend someone less fortunate and listen to their story. If that doesn't change your perspective, then ask a doctor.

[B Calm]

22. My depression & stress is caused by a dysfunctional workplace.

The best way I have found to relive the stress is to shoot up liquor stores late at night..

[khashka]

23. Could be

but any major changes (in both directions) can signal depression - changes in eating, sleeping, sex, energy. We all have our ups and downs, but if this seems more than what is normal for you then you should consult a professional.

Those changes can also indicate medical problems, increased stress, any number of things. Or just changes that come with just plain old getting older.

Sounds like you are under a lot of stress and that could certainly be the problem. But increased stress can lead to depression... so consult your doctor or a psychologist.

Khash.