[July63]

Today I met with my psychologist and about 15 minutes into the meeting it got uncomfortable.

Here is the problem: I have pretty much no recall after I meet with him. So he asked me if I was getting anything out of therapy.

I didn't know the answer. Every day, I forget most of what I did during the day unless it is memorable. If I don't make an effort to remember something, I don't remember it. Example is, I don't know if I took a shower this morning; most likely I did, but if someone was to ask me if I was 100% sure, I wouldn't be.

Now, he asked me to think of questions to ask him next week. I don't know what to ask him. My memory isn't going to get better, I am depressed but it is because one day I will be looking at a wall and enjoying the wall. I don't know what to do.

I hope someone can make something out of my ramble, if you can, please reply, I look forward to knowing that I am not alone.

[Mark in Idaho]

July.

I have similar memory problems. I do not remember sequences of the past. I might remember doing something but rarely remember when I did it. I have learned to live without a serious need for my short term and immediate memory. I rely on cues to help me remember if it is something that I know I need to remember.

If I was asked a general question like your psychologist has asked you, I would be clueless too. If he asked me if I went to the city zoo, I may be able to recall the general concept but usually not many details. My memory may be that I saw an elephant and some other specific animals but I will usually be clueless as to further details.

It helps to recite events that you want to remember. Convert the memory into visual, auditory and tactile if possible. Each sense has its own pathway into memory. The more senses you use to store a memory, the greater the chance of that memory being available for recall.

It makes it easy to watch reruns of movies, etc. I will know I saw the movie before but not remember enough to spoil watching it again.

Your psychologist does not sound like he is very helpful. A good therapist should be helping you learn new skills to work-around your dysfunctional skills. He should be giving you written procedures for learning new skills. If he just expects you to remember from an auditory instruction, he is not very well informed about PCS.

I have accepted that my memory is very dysfunctional. I let other people help me with my memory. I will often say, " Did I already tell you about such and such?" Otherwise, I find myself repeating the same issue to others.

I ask people to help me remember their names. I might say, " I am struggling to remember your name."

People tend to be very forgiving, especially when you are open and straight forward about your memory struggles. It is easier to just ask for help than to make mistakes and embarrass yourself and others.

Been there, done that, learned it is not a big deal. Life will still go on.

My best to you.

[chiron]

I agree with Mark. I had a SAH in 1997 and had memory problems [still do]. but not as bad. Sometimes i go into a room to get something and forget what i went in for in the first place and have to go out again and look around to recall what i wanted. Best thing i did was to keep a diary of major events and use word associaton. Good luck.