Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check In - Tuesday April 11th 2018
Good Morning Trauma Family,
Today I'd like to focus on PTSD and the impact of short term memory loss. I've found myself struggling to remember everyday things from scheduled appointments to losing medication. Short Term Memory loss and PTSD are highly linked.
I found this wonderful article from the healthy place site by Tia Hollowood.
PTSD impacts short-term memory for specific reasons. Learn why PTSD causes short-term memory problems, how to deal with it and how to know if it gets serious.
For many individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), short-term memory loss is a significant concern. While working to calm and organize memories of trauma, individuals with PTSD may also struggle to recall simple, everyday information. Short-term memory loss can leave an individual with PTSD with concerns over deteriorating cognitive functioning, and uncertainty about just how much forgetfulness is reasonable and how much becomes a medical concern.
How to Identify Short-Term Memory Loss from PTSD
Short-term memory loss with PTSD results in symptoms we often label as forgetful. Have you ever forgotten if youve fed a pet, why you walked into a room, or if you took your medications? All of these are related to short-term memory. Short-term memory declines with age but is distinguishable from memory issues related to dementia by the type of information that is forgotten.
With short-term memory, reminders can help you recall what you did or said, or it may come back to you later. With advancing dementia, the ability to recollect how to use everyday objects, the names of familiar people, and how to perform typical tasks such as buttoning a shirt can become impossible.
PTSD, the Hippocampus, and Short-Term Memory
The culprit involved with short-term memory challenges and PTSD is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is an organ in the brain that regulates emotions, stores long-term memories and helps us distinguish old memories from new. Studies of individuals with PTSD have found that PTSD damages the hippocampus, reducing it in volume by an average of eight percent. Not only does PTSD lead to flashbacks, anxiety and disjointed memories of traumatic events, PTSD also damages the brains ability to convert short-term memories into long-term memories.
PTSD, SSRIs, and Short Term Memory
There have been several studies on the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), medications commonly prescribed to individuals with PTSD, on short-term memory loss. The results of these studies have varied from indicating that SSRIs actually may improve memory skills to demonstrating that SSRIs result in a loss of working memory skills in as little as two months after beginning the medication. While the verdict is still out on the potential for long-term damage to memory skills, there is enough evidence to discuss any concerns over how SSRIs may impact your memory with your doctor.
How to Improve PTSD-Related Short-Term Memory Loss
Here are a few simple strategies for improving your PTSD-related short-term memory doing. Take a few moments to rest and regroup when you find yourself frequently forgetful. It may help to jot down all of your concerns and set them aside to deal with later.
Make notes for yourself, and keep them somewhere organized and easy to access. I made a mistake once of keeping some of my reminders on paper and others online. I was always missing something because I would fail to check both of my reminder lists.
Take each task to completion with as little distraction as possible. If youre headed for the kitchen to get water, think about what glass to use, or how cold you want it. Pay attention to the little things so often done without thinking because were busy planning out the rest of the things we need to accomplish.
If your concerns about your memory are impacting your ability to carry on with your regular daily routine, or if loved ones are expressing concerns over your recall, discuss your concerns with a healthcare professional. There are many other causes of short-term memory loss
What great information there.
Do you struggle with memory issues?
@Rain45 @Avaray @Shadeshack @BeeLeigh @Faeryschild @Lavendermoonlight @KLM3278 @jr50 @agreeableKite4304 @PhoenixPatronus @Morfo66 @raychascotch @KatieMoon1 @Tamba @Jenna0903 @melliotm @PanamaBanana @inventiveOrange1 @HearingYourHeart @TreesandWine @guyb @Sharkradio @MKjart @Lilyflower0817 @caterpillargirl @Survivetoalive @exuberantTriangle2562 @coraline23 @Ivorycat5573 @fearlessPear8268 @SemicolonSurvivor @weare1 @weareall1 @Annaka1 @moonchild95 @summernight69 @sheaintgotnoshoes @rationalWillow8882 @DeborahUK @AMusicalSilence @catsith @energeticPenny8 @Rebekahwriter13 @behindhazeleyes @sensitiveShade5337 @singercrystalspirit @wittyTree8219 @Ocendade @Rpjrx @Brooke12 @tenacity37 @Raveninthelabrynth @Axeman53 @kkSp3nc3 @blissedNblessed @Softforesthsp77 @AriannaPink @sereneSoul23 @promisemehope @IPreferWinter @Zombii @Godborned @Jessica86 @resourcefulPond1641 @Lilibuth12 @Tir @Michelle0608 @The_Final_Chapter @Halogen @BubblegumPuppy68 @ScarletPear1945 @CaloenasNicobarica @Hoxenos @Christine1980 @TheresaWilliams @Compassionatelistener108 @LovelyChantel @Pureriver56 @unassumingSummer6022 @Reedrainshimmer @resourcefulPond1642 @Kuma0187 @NonHoPaura @courageousNorth9872 @NacienteLuz @Waterlily16 @Helpfulsoul64 @TheHoneyDoll @Saif1for1Resilience @butters45 @purpleWest8143 @silverIceCream21 @Dandelionmoon @Bumblebee16 @consciousawakening @Shaiya365 @archerzvy @JJi @CopingwithTrauma @musicheals61 @disneynerd23 @ScarletPear1945 @Longday08 @sittinginahoneymoon @Quietbeach @loyalYard9488 @thatdramaticsoprano @understandingJackfruit9057 @amiableZebra3993 @Waterstreams057 @placidFriend3007 @AndreT @orchard9786 @Myosotis17 @sociableSailboat9634 @Calmlake1999 @emotionalMaple9419 @calmballoon3183 @disneynerd23 @MomRNFNP @Pdanziger @easymap6620 @MoreThanAConqueror18 @candyhaunt @namelessgirl99 @plumLake851 @streamoftears @quixoticRaven @Redhawk6547 @Sk1ttles @Shayc1 @Samdoc99 @Mikathewolfdog @Tacomytaco @stella17 @blinkk @PaperCrane1123 @Equalnotabove @felicia96 @CartoonDarling @Tayboi @Compassion21 @lilblackcat89 @ashes @selfdisciplinedTriangle5384 @amiableSummer3420 @FangsInsanity @Anj0806 @Spoonog @rissadawn @brokenflutterby @g00dwitch @No715 @SpruceRaven @tidyMoon3222 @helpfulHuman4992 @Djs3 @dynamicHemlock1736 @Hope3729 @hardworkingStrawberries3477 @courageousCake401 @humorousBeing8966 @NancySV1 @mysticPhoenix883 @oceanmom @gymnast9460 @Nonbinarywaffle7706 @Tbeth @felixfriend @Chels @8883ef @DaisyLion @forcefulSkies @spotthedot @courteousNorth5140 @Alcynically @ArianaMay @SB @affectionateNorth4018 @J12g34
my long term memory and short term memory have been garbage for as long as I can remember. I write a million things down as I'm always worried I'll forget them.
My psychologist and I have discussed this in detail and she believes part of this is from the (my) nervous system being on high alert all of the time and therefor , not being mindful or present in the moment. It does cause me a certain degree of worry as I'm concerned that I'll forget important / sentimental memories so I find that I tend to maybe keep more things than I should (ie. stuff of my kids - photos, school keepsakes, etc.) as I'm worried that I won't remember the "memories" otherwise.
@purpleWest8143
I can empathise with you West.. it isn't easy when you can't rely on your memory short or longterm. However talking about it and having some understanding that this is the result of the past trauma can be helpful. otherwise it can be very scary. Lists are wonderful prompts and i think it can also be satisfying to tick things off. What a good idea to keep more sentimental memory things too,x
@rozie yes as long as it doesn
@SoftForestHSP77 What a wonderful, timely, and insightful post Soft. 
Oh my Brothers and Sisters how I too suffer this.
How could one not even recognize they are being used and abused, and trafficked?
Fear, shame, manipulation, desire, and denial. Tools of na wycked I still suffer, but it comes back to me in my own time as I can handle it.
Much Love and Respect Alle.
@SoftForestHSP77
Good topic 😊 I have lots of problems with my memory, I'm always a bit clueless I guess... Well, reason for that could be the trauma or a brain injury I had some time ago... I always have somehow the feeling there's still sth hidden, sth I just don't remember, perhaps it will come back, perhaps not, perhaps it's better if it doesn't come back...
@Raveninthelabrynth
I guess our bad memory is a great self-defense mechanism of our brain, sometimes it's better not to remember everything at once, like you said, better in your own time when you're able to handle it...
@courteousNorth5140 Indeed North, Dissociation has it's uses. Infact I will claim I learned it in the military qualification courses I endoured.
@Raveninthelabrynth
Well, then at least that qualifies me for the military 😂 but yes, dissociation can be of use, the thing is it happens unintentionally, not willingly...
@courteousNorth5140
Hm, no I guess I can dissociate wittingly...
@courteousNorth5140
Sorry, I guess that's somehow off topic
@courteousNorth5140 we are bound to no topic ;)
Yes it can be a great coping mechanism. There's a trick tho an m still tryin to figure out how it works. They taught us to Dissociate from pain, elements, emotions, and the horrors wittnessed/done, yet remain fully focussed to note and recall every fact. Strange to me how it works but also how I can't imediately recall much of my trauma from being trafficked. If I ever figure it alle out I Shall Be A GODDESS in the Therapy werldz 
@Raveninthelabrynth
Hm, it's like the tunnel view when you're driving fast, you're focused on overything in front of you, but the right and left becomes blurred, I guess it's some kind of a filter, closing your eyes with wide open eyes... It just helps to survive
@courteousNorth5140 Can be indeed
@Raveninthelabrynth
Well, then it's good, isn't it? That's what it's all about
@courteousNorth5140As you said not always, but there is a part that is.
Good Luck in your recovery and persuit of this elusive yet achieveable control
@Raveninthelabrynth
There is sth wrong, but I don't really know what... I want to thank you once again for everything you're doing, so, thank you
@SoftForestHSP77
A very late check-in I did not realise this was for today, sorry.
I am not always forgetful. But with lots going on I tend to forget where I am going or what I am supposed to be doing when I get there. I can get up to go somewhere, forget where I am going, go back. Try again. Sometimes 3 or 4 times. Really annoying.
I always had trouble with time. I can't seem to put things in a time frame. I never know if something was 1 or 3 years ago. Or last week or last month. I used to think I was really dumb but I am used to it now. And I am far from dumb so it does not bother me much anymore.
@MaschaV It happens Mascha, fact is The Team is spread across the globe. Some of us in a timezone that equivelates tomorrow for many. We Adapt, Improvise, Assimilate, an Overcome!
Much Love MÃnn Frændr 
@Raveninthelabrynth
lol, that is really different then. almost a month
Am I the only one here on a completely different time and space continuum? Surely were now in May! 🙃
@DeborahUK
I think I am with you You are not alone 
@MaschaV
Phew, thought I was having a moment there 😂
@DeborahUK
Well that wasn
My memory both short and long-term is frustrating. I'm not sure if I don't remember or it didn't happen to 'me' and someone else was present then. When I remember something I really remember all the details, but if it's not there it's a giant blank space.
I get more issues because of the programming, they dissociate me so I forget what I was doing. I find myself aimlessly wandering around clueless. The flooding, scrambling, rapid switching and sleep disturbance programs really suck. Lists help, when I manage to stay present long enough to write them. Before counselling, I'm useless because the programs try and shut me down so I can't 'tell'. I'm so tired 
@Rain45, can you fix the date? Cuz thats wayyyyy off!