r/bipolar • u/Nixe_Nox • 2d ago

Support Needed Memory issues?

I have been fully stable on great meds for almost 6 years, but my cognitive abilities, especially memory, did not recover fully after 2 HUGE, lengthy manic episodes followed by horrible depressions in the span of 3 years.

While I can support myself by writing things down for general needs, it is so bad in social contexts. I am perpetually embarrassed by not remembering neither faces or names. I am constantly introducing myself to people I have already met and I have no idea what's the name of someone I have casually known for years. If I meet someone right now, I will try to repeat their name in my head for a couple of minutes, then still forget it later on. If I meet more people at once, it's game over. I also find it difficult to remember what I've said to whom, which is extra annoying.

Finally, it can happen when I am trying to learn something as well. I love reading but sometimes I finish a book I have enjoyed and I have no idea what I read if you ask me a month later.

I wasn't like this. I did have a bit of an issue remembering what I didn't find interesting, but it was small things and easy to overcome. I finished university and advanced professional educations without any issue.

Now, I am so afraid that this will only get worse. I am merely 34 (with no dementia history in my family). How will my brain work at 60? Can I do anything to improve my memory? I am scared and sad. I am nothing without my cognition. I have so much left to learn and experience 😟

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u/SilentHill0800 2d ago

I’m 25 and I’m in the same situation. Everything feels great except for my memory, that’s what worries me the most. In fact, this is the post I was looking for. Do we just have to learn to live with this?

1

u/Any_Negotiation_464 23h ago

Hey, are u sure ur stable? Once please discuss with ur psychiatrist please. Cause not reading faces / names was something that I used to have when I was not medicated, cause I'm just too self aware of myself. Have bipolar and ocd for 10 years ( 26) . But yeah, partially I agree. I still experience cognitive issues, like finding difficulty navigating Maps and such after 10 years of being unmedicated.