My situation is this. I can remember some things in great detail, but most of the time, facts and figures go out of my head and I have trouble retaining them. I cannot remember historic details I learnt while I was studying history at school, and at university for example.
More troubling, I cannot remember facts my bf tells me about his life. I am wondering if it is an effect of my OCD, or if it is just because I am not good at retaining details? (I must say though, I remember the BIG stuff, I just don't remember the trivial stuff...which I probably only have asked about, because of my OCD anyway).
My theory that it may be linked to my obsessing revolves around the fact, that it is common for obsessive thinkers to not trust their own memory...to doubt things, and then obsessively ask the same question over again...to double check, triple check, and so on. And of course normally people don't need to know and remember trivial details about their partner's past!
Also, when your mind is racing, sometimes you don't listen properly, and therefore don't take in the details. Because, you are simply looking for CERTAIN details, which you think will calm the current obsession or anxiety.
On top of that, it has been suggested to me, that at times I seem to mildly suffer ADD. My attention skips from one thing to the next, quickly. I leave tasks half done to move on to something new. I might come home with the groceries, and start unpacking the car. I'll carry some bags inside, and unpack them, and then get distracted by reading something, or searching for a CD to put on or whatever. Then I forget the other bags are still in the car! My bf often comes home after me, to find my car door open, with half the groceries on the back seat!
I am highly intelligent, driven, active...and I am always thinking. So sometimes, my attention is not fully tuned in to what someone is saying, and later, I CANNOT remember what I was told!
All these things combined, mean I really either, 1) don't trust my memory or 2) really can't remember.
It is frustrating. The only solution seems to be, 1) learn to trust my memory more (part of overcoming OCD anyway..and getting better all the time). 2) train myself to pay more attention (I even write things down in my little question book, which is a method in overcoming OCD). and 3) don't worry when I can't remember things which aren't important anyway (most often the details are not super significant things anyway, another part of overcoming OCD).
For example...this morning, my partner and I were discussing dogs, and what sort of dog we'd like to own in the future. He mentioned a dog his family had owned in the past. I could not remember him telling me about that dog. I asked what sort of dog is what. He'd said he'd told me about FOUR times, and could not believe I was asking again! He attributed it to my OCD, and said he didn't think it was a good idea for me to keep obsessing over the dog issue, at that point, and to drop it. And so I did. I now have remembered the dog's name, but I still cannot recall what type of dog is was.
Anyway, do you think my solutions sound good? Do you have any other theories, or think my theories sound right? Do you suffer bad memory too? I've just been finding it a bit frustrating. Mum tells me it's always been like this with me.
Well, Thinkalot, you know that I've suggested people check into AD/HD more than once. And after a few things you've said about yourself lately, I thought of it even more. It would not be at all uncommon for you to have AD/HD and OCD; in fact AD/HD is often found to be comorbid with other disorders.
The memory problem you mention is a very common one for people with AD/HD. The distractability, the forgetting tasks in the middle of doing them - all also pretty common. In fact, your having trouble with jokes and being teased would be another sign.
Now my ex, who was dyslexic and had OCD, first reacted to the possibility of having AD/HD by saying 'not ANOTHER thing wrong with me!'. But, as with OCD, once you know you have it, you can learn coping skills.
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Now my ex, who was dyslexic and had OCD, first reacted to the possibility of having AD/HD by saying 'not ANOTHER thing wrong with me!'.
My first thoughts exactly! LOL. It was actually a psychologist I saw last year, with my partner, who suggested I may have AD/HD. We went to see him together to sort out some relationship issues, and he picked up on some elements of my behaviour, which highly contrasted with my partner's behaviour by the way!
I'll do the test and see. I feel as though my partner has had the misfortune of falling in love with a basket case sometimes! Other times, I remember I am very loveable, of course.
P.S. I did also have to see a child psycholigist when I was little for behavioural problems...who ended up suggesting I start school early to get me occupied...so I started school at 4. I got better once I was in school...but still had lots of tantrums.
hey thinkalot, it looks like we have something else in common. i am so easily distracted that it often becomes a problem. i have had groceries go bad because i would put them in the kitchen and then get distracted and not put the milk in the refrigerator. last week the lightbulb went out in my bedroom and i thought i didnt have any more. so i was getting ready to go out to eat with my gf and i had one shoe on when i remembered where i had some and i went and got the bulb from the kitchen and put it in still with one shoe on. a lot of times i notice it when im just sitting there talking to my gf and ill remember something i wanted to check on google and ill just get up and do it, even when were talking...and its not like im tryingto be rude like i dont care what she has to say it just pops into my mind and i go off and do it. last example, whenever im talking to people in general i can NEVER follow what they are saying. Im there and I think im listening but im not...my mind is somewhere else.
it seems like whatever thought is in my head is the most important one at the time and i forget everything else.
I have a bad memory also, I can't recall anything before the age of five, and when my brothers and mom get together and start talking about "younger years" I feel as if I missed my lifetime.
The last time we all got together, they were talking about things I should have known but had no idea. Such as my brother had asthma and on pills all while we were growing up. I played the trumpet (who would have guessed that one?) for almost a year.
The lastest one, my mom and I have cell phones under a family plan. So every month she calls and tells me how much, I send her money, life goes on. This last payday I call and ask her how much, and she says you already paid. I said are you sure, and she says yeah, you paid over two weeks ago, remember? No, not really but I believe you.
So I learned to live with it. If I say I don't remember, chances are, I really just can't remember it. My mom thinks it has to do with my growing up when I would always pass out (faint). The docs did their testing, blaming anemic and some other things, but then they said that I have "stress bumps" on my head. They wanted to biopsy them but I have a thing about being bald (six bumps in different areas on my head, all in my hair). I figure if they haven't done anything to me yet, leave them be. But the docs figured that if I get to thinking too much or stressing, a touch on the bump and I fall at your feet. (I passed out on my step monster at least once every summer for six years, each and every time would freak her out )
I figure they are a good as anything to blame my poor memory on
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The other morning, I was already running late for work ( I am CHRONICALLY late)...when I remembered that I wanted to search for some old papers I had in the garage. So I stopped getting ready, and went in search of them!! Needless to say, I was even later for work (luckily my job is pretty flexible).
Are you often late too?
Perhaps all these personality traits mean we are more likely to suffer OCD and even mild ADD?? Pav...we may be crazy ...but at least we aren't alone! Imagine two of us together in a relationship!!
i would say that being chronically late would be an understatement and i try so hard to be on time, i really do. even when im ready to leave when Im supposed to, i will do 10 unnecessary things and wind up being late anyways. my mom says i have absolutely "no perception of time" and i think things will take a lot shorter than they will.
im notorious with my friends about this too, whenever im like "ill be there at 4" theyll say "alright see you at 5" or something and they always end up being right
Merry- I did the test. Pav you should have a look at it too. My results describe me and I put some little explanations in brackets, one of the types which I cam out as "probable" was the tendency towards getting stuck on thought patterns:
ADD Combined Type Highly Probable more info -( this aspect shows hperactivity...being driven etc..job changes/movement)
ADD Inattentive Type Not Probable more info -(this person is a couch potato)
Cingulate System Hyperactivity Probable more info -(this person has tendency towards OBSESSIVE! thinking...also low seratonin levels which can cause moodiness, and hypersenstivitiy...compulsive behaviours- anti-depressants can help)
Limbic System Hyperactivity May be possible more info
Basal Ganglia Hyperactivity Probable more info -(this sets the body's anxiety levels..and can be too high, causing anxiety-tendency to worry a lot, muscle tension and so on... anxiety meds can help)
Temporal Lobe System May be possible more info
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Oh well, I guess knowledge is a good thing, at least I know what's going on.
Gaia, if you check this thread, do you show any of these symptoms too?
Hoo boy! Chronic lateness, too? Yep, another BIG sign. Pav, might as well give the test a try, too. Have a look at Amen's site. He's got brain scan images of people who have different disorders. Fascinating stuff. ADD will complicate your lives, too but, like everything else, forewarned is forearmed.
Originally posted by pav186
and i try so hard to be on time, i really do. even when im ready to leave when Im supposed to, i will do 10 unnecessary things and wind up being late anyways
ADD Combined Type -- Not Probable
ADD Inattentive Type -- Highly Probable
Cingulate System Hyperactivity -- Probable
Limbic System Hyperactivity -- May be possible
Basal Ganglia Hyperactivity -- Highly Probable
Temporal Lobe System -- Not Probable
for the cingulate system hyperactivity, it mentions that stimulants may make it worse. i def think thats the case b/c i took my gf ADD med Dexadrine ( i had a rx for concerta at one point) to help me get work done and the days i took those i was much more obsessive, i actually mentioned to her that my brain was prob overactive as it is.
yeah i didnt realize things like running late were associated with ADD. A lot of times I feel like my thinking is just too scattered to ever be productive and id say that i def lean more towards the couch potato side, although i do work out and go to the gym. besides that though i dont do THAT much as i like to spend time doing things myself or with my girlfriend. I do like being social but its kinda like a special thing for me and i cant always be around people, its very mentally exhausting, but i guess thats cause im a little more to the introvert side.
I didn't mean coach potato in an offensive way ...I was trying to highlight the differences in those categories...I am always on the go! I find it hard to be still and relax.
Location: where Eagles fly...maybe....still too soon to tell
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Hmmm....maybe I ought to give those tests a try.
I already know my memory problems are due to a seizure disorder, but there may be a thing or two I don't know about!!!
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He attributed it to my OCD, and said he didn't think it was a good idea for me to keep obsessing over the dog issue, at that point, and to drop it. And so I did. I now have remembered the dog's name, but I still cannot recall what type of dog is was.
Other times, I remember I am very loveable, of course. 
a lot of times i notice it when im just sitting there talking to my gf and ill remember something i wanted to check on google and ill just get up and do it, even when were talking...and its not like im tryingto be rude like i dont care what she has to say it just pops into my mind and i go off and do it. last example, whenever im talking to people in general i can NEVER follow what they are saying. Im there and I think im listening but im not...my mind is somewhere else.
)
...but at least we aren't alone! 
Imagine two of us together in a relationship!!
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