I'm forgetting things in short term memory more and more each day. I take Zoloft for anxiety.

I pretty much do all of that haha. I know I forget things so I rely on my phone and set all kinds of reminders and stuff and it usually helps, but like small things like the reason I went downstairs ( when I already went back up ) happens to me pretty much hourly and it's frustrating but I'm used to it by now. And the time thing is big for me too. But how I am, I either just take FOREVER to do it and perfect it or I procrastinate and totally BS it but I'm in high school so my BS looks like 100% effort but yeah time wise it feels like I'm on a tight schedule all the time but I'm really not most of the time.

Hey Renee, 

this sounds like it could be a side effect of the Zoloft. Did you have this issue before taking Zoloft?

How much are you taking? For how long have you been taking it? Did you make any dose changes recently? Bad concentration and memory is also a very common withdrawal symptom when stopping anti-depressants.

I would definitely speak with your doctor. Maybe your dose is too high. 

Are you feeling like the Zoloft has helped the anxiety at all? 

Best, 

L

Hi Renee,

That sounds so much like me - I couldn't have put it better myself! I am self employed and work at home, spending many hours alone with the TV on in the background as company. I've got so used to it that I start to resent hubby getting breaks in the day and coming home and disrupting things! Where does the time go when the phone keeps ringing with sales or PPI calls?? I end up getting very stressed, and the more stressed I get the more flustered and forgetful and nothing gets done!

I am not on any meds., but I do seem to have hit the perimenopause (age 50) and my hormones are clearly all over the place, helping to cause mood swings and forgetfulness. I love the days when I know I don't have to go out for any reason - they start with such good intentions of getting stuff done, but it's rare they end with any feeling of satisfaction of achievement!

You don't say what your age is, but hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety, depression etc. at any age.particularly teens for both sexes and then later on for us ladies.

Whatever the cause or causes of your symptoms, rest assured, you are not alone, and you'll find plenty of company and support on these forums.

its ok short term memory is bad on meds , long term is fine.    frustrating i no getting your self worked up thinking  often happens , ok renee

Hello Renee

All the replies you've had so far are spot-on, even though each person is an individual describing differing experiences.

Try not to fret, as this is either a side-effect of your meds that will lessen in time, or if not, treatable another way. Forgetfulness is such a frustrating thing to deal with. I've lost count of the number of times I've forgotten to do things I planned, or failed to do things that are normally automatic.

Once, I arrived home from work, got out of my car, used my house keys to get inside, looking forward to the weekend ahead. Imagine my feelings when the following Monday morning I found my car unlocked with the key in the ignition, and my house keys in the front door lock, except, the door was not locked.

A lot of these problems are associated with a lack of 'mindfulness'. Basically, anxiety fills your brain with so many things at once, you either end up doing nothing, or doing something but not very well.

I have found practicing mindfulness a great help, and I have now learned to live 'in the moment' and consciously think about what I'm doing at the time rather than thinking what I might or should be doing later.

You may wish to use this site resource or others on the web to learn some of the techniques. In the meantime, please accept my very best wishes and moral support.  :-)

This is so me! I have to write down EVERYTHING! Even when someone tells me something important. I think a lot of it is kind of normal, as my friends are always telling me they go to do something in another room, get there, and can not remember what they were going to do I think it is too much on our mind at one time. I am 55, but this has been going on a long time. I also make things, and have piles of material and craft stuff everywhere. Plus the piles of paperwork due to bookkeeping I do for businesses. My GP made a house call with me. I told her sorry about the piles. I am a hoarder. She said it is a symptom of the anxiety. So since then, I have been going through tips on organizing. I will get there someday, I hope LOL You are not alone