#74: I Just Can’t Remember Like I Used To (So What Can I Do?)
Aug 20, 2020
FROM THIS SHOW…
Does it seem overwhelming to remember even a few details from an important conversation? Do you ever read a book—whether to study, or whether to enjoy—and it’s like you’re seeing the words, but you turn the pages and nothing sticks? It could more than distraction. It could be caused by bipolar symptoms.
It’s been medically documented that bipolar disorders can cause traumatic damage to the brain, and leave you feeling temporarily and cognitively disabled. That’s when you feel like any new information is too much to process. But what if you’ve been in recovery for months? Years? What then?
On today’s episode of The Bipolar Now Podcast, Mike takes you through the years where he struggled to retain conversations, facts, details, and even work-related absent-mindedness. Whether you’re feeling challenged in your ability to recall information or to learn, today’s show gives you a path forward to recovering your strongest memory possible.
You don't want to miss it!
Listen to the podcast:
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TAKEAWAYS
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When you hit a wall with bipolar disorder, it can often be traumatic. This has a direct effect on your cognitive functions, which can be impaired for weeks, months, or even years.
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To overcome memory loss and cognitive function, you need to document how you used to take in information and see how far (it at all) you’ve strayed from having healthy recall.
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If you want to rebuild your memory back to what you had, it will require challenging yourself to adopt the habits you used to have until your cognition naturally improves. There are professional services that also help with this if you find you’re making no progress.
Lifer Discussion Guide
Use the questions in today’s Lifer Guide to help you out with any sticking points you may have toward getting help for your mental health.
“Lifers” are special people who have unwavering faithfulness. This assures you that they’ll stick around through all the highs and lows that are normal for a life with mental health challenges. If you haven’t nominated a lifelong family member or friend as part of your non-medical support team, what are you waiting for? :-)
The Questions:
1) What are some of your earliest childhood memories? / How old do you think you were?
2) How’s your ability to learn and grow and retain information? / Are you more challenged now than you were before your bipolar diagnosis?
3) What’s the most upsetting part about having lost some of your powers of memory?
4) Do you think you could grow your memory back to what it was, like Mike shared? / Or do you think this is something you need professional help for?
5) How can I help challenge you like Mike said, to recover your mental bandwidth? / Should we come up with some ideas?
Join the Tribe!
Once you’ve had a chance to talk or journal about these things you might have a question from this episode. If so, make sure you head on over to The Bipolar Now Podcast Network on Facebook! There’s quite a few people over there who are also taking a new step in their mental health. And we’d love for you to share your story with us when you’re ready. So don’t miss out!
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