Concentration & Memory

[Hawesy]

Do people with depression have trouble concentrating, and remembering?.  I am trying to get into the Property Management field, but i am struggling with my memory, and remembering things.  I have had several PM jobs, but loose them due to mistakes i make, with forgetting things.  Should i change my career path to something that doesn't need so much remembering important information? I'm 53Yrs old

Thanks in advance.....

[Girl_Anachronism]

Hi Hawesy,

Welcome to BB, first of all.

I think changing your career is a choice you need to make yourself, but I can vouch for depression in my own case. I used to have the best memory of all the people I knew, down to childhood home phone numbers. I had a diary to keep track uni assignments but more often than not i didn't need to use it.

Nowadays, I have the memory of a gold fish and I need to use that  diary, not for uni but for remembering when appointments are or what day it is, or when I last had a seizure.

A change of career may not be the change you need- maybe just do those things that you never used to have to do like using diaries and appointment cards. It's jarring but if this career is what makes you happy and will help you fight your depression, than maybe you shouldn't abandon it just yet.

Just my two cents.

GA

[Stitch]

Hi Hawesy,

I too used to have an excellent memory - sharp as a tack.

After sustaining a workplace injury 2 1/2 years ago, I had to retrain and now I work for the public service.  It's an icredibly complex job which involves remembering alot of different processes and I've struggled every day.  I try really hard at my job but come home each day feeling like the village idiot because I can't remember things.  My work colleagues are all much younger than me and sometimes I get the feeling that they think I'm a complete moron.

It's not because I'm a supid person, it's just that my memory fails me.  I'm 44 years old and years of depression has really affected my memory and concentration.  I also don't sleep well and feel tired all the time.  But I've noticed that when I go to bed super early and happen to get a good night's sleep, my memory (and mood) is better the next day.

Girl_Anachronism's suggestion to use diaries and appointment cards is good advice.  I write things down at work, use post it notes and refer to my notes when I can't remember a work process/procedure.

Changing careers is difficult to do and no matter what job you take on there will always be alot of new things to remember.

Good luck.