Caregiver stress causing memory problems. Anyone else experience this?

Yes, stress can interfere with short-term memory, as well as the ability to pull older memories from your brain. Research has shown that elevated cortisol during prolonged stress may be a factor in short-term memory problems through the hormone's effect on the hippocampus. It makes me wonder if prolonged stress could be one factor that could lead to Alzheimer's on down the road -- I don't know.

My only advice is try to chill. Things happen in life and even when things seem terrible, if we step back from it, we see that it is all just part of life. It would be nice if we could learn not to take things too seriously and just go with what is happening at the moment. Worrying about tomorrow is a problem that I have. I try hard not to do that, because it just causes anticipatory anxiety, which is not useful or good for me.

Yes, I have experienced what you are going through. My mind just doesn't work. I can't even remember to pay the bills! Yesterday, I went to the gas station, went in and paid for my gas, came back out, got in the truck and drove off!! I finally remembered what I had done, so I turned around and went back and luckily, no one had pulled into the pump and got my gas. That is just one example. I do all kind of dumb stuff, that I never did before, and just hope and pray no one is watching me. Sometimes I really worry about me, too! Take care and know you are not alone.

For sure stress of care giving affects memory! I drive past my destination, forget appointments, go to the post office to mail packages, but don't take the packages, burn dinner, forget to start dinner......

Aside from the stress factor I think it is the distraction factor, my mother talks 90% of the time (mostly complaining, criticizing, obsessing, and ruminating). Always has around family, but acquaintances think she is so quiet, gentle and sweet lol.

Anyway this constant complaining, jabbering and questioning distracts me to the point of near insanity. I can't concentrate on anything with her always following 2 steps behind me and never a moment's silence. I can't even escape long enough to go to the bathroom, she's outside the door talking, very much like caring for a child, that you are not allowed to correct or discipline.

Some days I think it won't be long before I have less mental capacity than she.

Sounds like you could use some time for yourself to refocus. I find that I must practice mindfulness. I keep myself in the here and now and sometimes need to look down and see where my feet are exactly planted. It is when I am far into yesterday or looking into tomorrow too intently that I forget to put the pot under the coffee maker in the now, ever do that one. I too have had that OMG I am losing it moment when I do things like this, but I realize I was paying no attention to what I was doing.

What was the question? I got distracted. Time to bring out the Ginko Biloba and decrease alcohol consumption. Yoga and meditation helps, too, and getting off the internet and taking a REAL WALK outdoors! Breathe deeply and exhale!

The big question is: Will we ever get our mental capacity back like it once was? I am really scared that I will never be the same again. Any thoughts?

I was having memory problems also and still do sometimes. But mine was coming from having hypothyroidism. It can cause memory problems and brain fog. It causes alot of other problems. Your thyroid gland effects alot of things in your body that you just would not think that it does. So look up hypothyroidism and the symptoms and see if you have any of the symptoms of it. Also if anyone in your family has thyroid issues then you could have them also. Cause it is heredity. My sister was having brain fog bad too but hers was coming from a vitamin d defiency. Hope this helps! Stormy

Yes Stormy that is so true. I hear that the thyroid is like your gear shift if it is stuck in low you are tired, or if it stuck in overdrive you are hyper. Also the lack of vitamin D is surely something to look into and thanks for the reminder, hence get out in the sun for at least 10-15 mins a day, some day light for sure, and I must make sure that this is something I will do for myself right now, glad that the days are getting longer and the warmth is on the way, well as warm as it can possibly gets in Ireland. loads of rain, need to bring my raincoat with me and open for brief sunbursts. LOL. I always feel better in a garden for nature and greenery and out in the air and light.

If you have pain, Vitamin D deficiency will make it worse; along with energy problems. I was extremely low on Vitamin D and my doctor told me to take 2,000 IU of D3, and within a month or two I was feeling so much better. It's also good on you ligaments and heart valve keeping them supple.

Today at work I went to wash my hands in the restroom and stuck my hand under the paper towel holder and could not understand why the soap wasn't coming out.....so yes caregiving does affect your mind ;-) I have to write everything down now..it could be that I am 57 too. I thought after raising my kids and having an empty nest life would slow down but since my husband and I both are only children it has not !! His mom is 88 lives next door to us and my mom is 83 and was placed in a NH Jan. 5th.