Comments on: Long-term and Working Memory – You Are What You Remember

By: Marlene

Marlene — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:34:04 +0000

I’m a 57-year-old English Language Arts tutor who sometimes does a little public speaking. Imagine my horror when I noticed a few years back that I was “losing words”. I even forgot my address and social security number at one point. My brain felt foggy; I couldn’t prioritize tasks or concentrate on much of anything. It got so bad that my doctor recommended an evaluation by a special psychologist–to rule out dementia! She concluded that my problems were completely anxiety-based. Never before would I have thought anxiety could make such a mess of my ability to function. Since that time, I’ve made progress with the anxiety and have regained some of my self-confidence.

As a side note, I took Effexor XR for about 10 years, quitting a year ago. Having researched the effects of withdrawal, I planned an 8-month titration process. I feel fortunate that I didn’t experience some of the horrible side effects that others have reported, and remained alert through the weaning process. Good luck to all!

By: andrew

andrew — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:44:17 +0000

i signed up for lumosity to help improve both long and short term memory. after just a few hours a week i have noticed improvements in my short term memory but not long term, is it possible lumosity could create a game to improve long term memory. i would think the only thing thing that would have to be done is memorize flash cards the first time playing and than the next time try to recall the information. thanks

By: Gregory Kellett

Gregory Kellett — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:15:44 +0000

Thanks for sharing Lustrelight,…
Although everyone is different there also seems to be some preliminary evidence indicating that regular physical exercise can also help with depression.

By: lustrelight

lustrelight — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:21:17 +0000

Hi, I found the above pertinent to my own circumstances. I have been told I have bipolar affective disorder.Consequently I have taken significantlevels of antidepressants during my periodic visits to the dark side. I have worked for many years where I needed to speak in front of many and deal with complex situations. Until my last bout of serious depression followed by mania maybe as a result of Dothiepine i had not noticed serious problems with my language and memory. I completed an MA in 2002 But have struggled with memory loss and language problems since 2005, when I was so ill. I now take 12 grams fish oil a day and work out on the luminosity site. I know the John Kabatt Zinn book on Mindfulness and depression and can recommend the book and the mindfulness approach. I gave up my job because my brain had crumpled, but I see improvements now that I am not trying to be superwoman!

By: integralmeditation

integralmeditation — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:32:20 +0000

It’s amazing in some ways that it takes years to learn a relatively complex task like a language and all the other tasks in running a brain and physique. Some people suggest reviewing each day and doing tapping or a similar technique on any experiences or issues that produce extreme emotions or thoughts and adding some logical ideas to any situation that might be helpful. One suggestion is to always add you love yourself, this is particularly useful as programming as at the other extreme the worst pathological states basically involve destruction.

By: Lenore

Lenore — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:46:02 +0000

Eddie, Dan and Nathaniel I sympathize with your problem with words. I suffered this first last September, and losing my words was traumatic. It’s hard to hold a conversation with friends or feel comfortable about what’s happening to you.
Fortunately I found a good geriatrician who put me on aricept and I’m back to myself again, talking a blue streak.

By: Gregory Kellett

Gregory Kellett — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:45:13 +0000

Hello Jane, I'm only familiar with one study which looked into the issue of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and fish oil. Out of the 5 mainstream fish oil supplements tested, none proved to have detectable levels of PCBs. This apparently also applies to Mercury.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:44:42 +0000

Gregory Kellett, you mention that you take fish oil capsules daily. Are you aware of any problems with PCB’s (or other harmful substances)in these? I’ve purchased some that list sardines and anchovy as the source, and have heard that PCB’s can be an issue with sardines. Thanks.

By: anonano

anonano — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:15:56 +0000

Hi eddie,

I’m similar to you: female; same age, educated & also have to speak in public at prominent events (to “experts”!). I often struggle to find my word or I make up a similar word to the one I want. I’m very logical but can suddenly lose my train of thought. I over prepare for talks due to fear of this happening. Then I worry I have to speak in a setting where it’s difficult to have notes in front of me. But if you get good feedback that’s the important thing.

Despite these issues, I’m actually good with language, think very clearly & write very well when I try. I figure that there are differences between individuals in language use & recall, so unless I really do go nuts or until I find out I have alzeimers, I don’t really have anything to worry about other than social concern, it’s all ok.

I haven’t been on prescribed anti-depressants but I do struggle with depression & anxiety, then it starts to develop into ‘worry about the worry’ which threatens to compound to infinity & be crippling. I recently found a book I’d recommend: “The Mindful Way through Depression” by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal & Jon Kabat-Zinn. Get your hands on it and treat it as a work book ie to read, reread & work through for a set period of time. It helps focus on constructive positives, and it blends the best of east & west therapies (which I had started totry to do). It’s full of “ah-ha!” moments

By: Nathaniel Davis

Nathaniel Davis — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:31:29 +0000

Oh, sorry, I was responding to the person who posted the Ninth Comment.