My memory is much more unreliable than I remember it being in, say, college. I can't decide how much of it is the disorder and how much of it is being used to relying on computers and portable devices to hold so much of my information. I definitely do have a hard time remembering something someone said to me a moment before, or something I even thought just seconds before, especially if I am distracted, which happens easily when I am symptomatic.
My memory is also really really bad. I have taken a two prong approach. As soon as I make a commitment I plug it into my iphone on the calendar and set 2 alerts: 1 day before and 1 hour before (just remember to keep your phone on ring and not silent) next I take that calendar and write in in a day planner. My day planner has become my bible and I keep in on my desk in front of my computer at all times so I don't lose it. It also has a to do list on each week so I can write stuff down and then check it off..it feels good to check stuff off.
As far as the studying all I can suggest is notes that are in bullet form so you can remember the key points. Not sure what youre studying. I had to go on leave from work because I was having so much trouble remembering things which was stressing me out.
So you are not alone...it is a terrible side effect of being bipolar. My husband was frustrated at first until I told him how bad he made me feel and how stupid. Now he puts thinks on my calendar or will call me wiht a "gentle" reminder. He gets it and is understanding for the most part. He has taken over a lot for me.
Best wishes
its so good to know other people have the same problems as i do with short term memory.....i have been struggling to understand why i forget things and why i cannot take in as many facts as i want to as they happen. I think its because of that internal battle that i have with my fears and anxieties which runs all the time i am trying to learn.......
i've done a great deal of studying and taking of courses over the years and i can retain just about what i need to get through the exams but then the knowledge seems to disappear as if it was never there! i am qualified to do many things but i cannot remember enough of the info to use it....its as if i never took the course in the first place!
My short term memory is bad. People can ask me to do something and I forget it almost instantly. I don't think it is that my memory is actually the problem. The problem is that I have so much going on in my head that things get drowned out. I forget where I put things, I forget what I'm doing, I forget what I'm talking about and thinking about. It's like a tornado in my head and unless something can really grab my attention, I forget it.
I have HORRIBLE memory. I forget where I'm going what I'm doing, everything. I even forget which pill I've taken already while taking my medication, I'm sure I've taken one of thegn twice and none of the other one a few times.
I forget whole conversations and whole days! My memory used to be so good too. Oh well.
omg yes I do - i rarely feel satisfied and my husband is very critical and judgemental which fuels my anger no end.
i should be happy but i am so often fighting my own mind - exhausting!
thanxs hun i think it could b the GAD side of bp that u r experiensing do u get angry easily n snap and feel constantly anxious like sumthings missing?
thank you 25andhurt it helps to be able to ask about these things....It makes life very difficult when I am trying to have a sense of self-worth to find I cannot remember dates and times! It makes me very vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
you seem to have a lot on your plate as well as the BP which is really tough on you - sending you best wishes and hugs. i think i am also suffering from a number of things at the same time and its so confusing to know what is ok and what is a sign of which condition!!!!
X
yes i have real bad memory problem espesh my short term memory, but my long term is not so good either, i also have paranoia on off and i have SAD, GAD AND PTSD ASWELL AS BP i think they all come as a package but yh ur not alone hun