When Does Short-term Memory Loss Become Something I Need to Worry About?

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 - Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.

• You need to leave for an important meeting. You’ve spent weeks preparing for it and now’s the day. There’s just one problem, you can’t find your car keys.

• You walk from the bedroom to the kitchen with something in mind that you need, but by the time you reach the kitchen you can’t remember what you were going to get.

 

• You’re in the middle of a conversation when you stop part-way through a sentence. You laugh uneasily to your friend and explain that you lost your train of thought and you can’t remember what you were talking about.

 

• You walk outside the mall and begin to walk towards your car, but, you can’t remember where you parked the car.

 
All of these examples seem innocent enough. Everyone forgets things sometimes. Maybe you just have too much or your plate or your mind is focused on an important project at work. But it still feels disconcerting.
 
When these things start to happen more often you may start to become concerned.
 
But them the deciding fear comes true:

• You’re in the middle of shopping at a local store when suddenly you don’t remember where you are.

 

• You’re driving home from work when suddenly you can’t remember which roads will take you home. You pull over, turn off your car and fight breaking into tears. You pull out your phone, try to get a hold of yourself and call your husband to ask him how to get home. Once again he leaves work and comes to help you.

 
The last couple of situations can be alarming and they may be signs that you need to see your doctor. Everyone has some short-term memory loss, but when it turns into something that happens on a daily basis it’s frightening; especially if your family has members who have been diagnosed with dementia.
 
What are some signs that point you towards needing attention from your doctor? Betterhealth.vic.gov.au posts the article, “Dementia – Early Signs,” describes some of the signs such as disorientation, difficulty completing tasks and language problems.
 
Seeing signs of dementia in a loved one or in yourself, can break your heart. But remember, the Lord is the one who will give you the strength when you need it, and will help you remember what he’s done in the past for you, even though you struggle with remembering things that are happening right now.
 
To learn more about the causes, treatment and care for those with dementia select the link below.

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