What kind of memory issue is this?

Geezerette

Senior Member
When one can’t recall the name of a person, place or thing, Burt it if someone says it, or you read it, you recognize it as the right answer.
Or if doing a crossword puzzle, same kind of thing, don’t get it from the clue, but get a couple of letters entered, and then you know it.
And I find if I stop trying to find the word for something I feel I should know, and put it on the mental “back burner” a little time will pass and it will pop into my head.
Anyone else experience stuff like this?
 

When one can’t recall the name of a person, place or thing, Burt it if someone says it, or you read it, you recognize it as the right answer.
Or if doing a crossword puzzle, same kind of thing, don’t get it from the clue, but get a couple of letters entered, and then you know it.
And I find if I stop trying to find the word for something I feel I should know, and put it on the mental “back burner” a little time will pass and it will pop into my head.
Anyone else experience stuff like this?
Oh yes .. far too often lately.
 

Thanks Irwin for putting a name on it (which I hope I will remember without prompts, haha)
You’re right, Pecos, I wonder if the older we get, the more anxiety we develop about that sort of thing.
 
When one can’t recall the name of a person, place or thing, Burt it if someone says it, or you read it, you recognize it as the right answer.
Or if doing a crossword puzzle, same kind of thing, don’t get it from the clue, but get a couple of letters entered, and then you know it.
And I find if I stop trying to find the word for something I feel I should know, and put it on the mental “back burner” a little time will pass and it will pop into my head.
Anyone else experience stuff like this?
Yes, but it isn't a sign of ageing...it happens to everyone. The brain becomes tired if you nag at it. Divert your thoughts and the answer will pop into your head.
 
Brain overload is one of the major problems with word retrieval. We cram so many trivial and innocuous things into each compartment of that organ, information is difficult to call to the fore at times.
LOL That's my story too, and I am sticking to it.
I sometimes wonder if there isn't some way to give all the useless stuff the boot and clear out some memory space.
 
Memory issues increase anxiety for sure. I've gotten past it (mostly), just accepting my new normal. BUT, that just makes me more determined to find a solution. Ted Talks is a collection of insightful and informative videos on a wide range of subjects. My son- the law school student(1st year done!) gave me some memory improvement advice from a recent Ted Talk; not sure which video, but here are some related to the mind and memory: https://www.ted.com/talks?topics[]=memory

Edit: I have noticed that some people in their mid 50s get quite shaken by the onset of age related memory function, worrying that they will be unable to care for themselves soon. I assure them that it's normal to be concerned, and that(in my experience) mid 50s is a common starting point for the decline, but usually not indicative of one's immediate disability.
 
Last edited:

Back
Top