I'm 17 and since about October 2018 I've had fuzzy thinking and memory. It's hard to remember my childhood aside from major details (ex. I went to this school and lived in this house, etc.) and other things are small snippets that I have to question whether they actually happened or not. It's hard for me to hold a train of thought and think deeply about things. Anything that requires more mental effort (reading for example) is hard to do. If I'm talking I forget what I was just thinking 2 seconds ago or what I was about to say. I feel mentally slower and have a sensation that life isn't real almost. I always feel emotionally flat, too. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (diagnosed when I was 5 or so) and I used to think hardly about whatever I was worrying about and have mental arguments in my head, but a few months ago I started ignoring it and pushing it off to the side, so I wonder if I have repressed thinking from trying to ignore my anxiety or block out stuff mentally? I also have developed a thing where I try to store memories and don't allow free thinking for fear of losing more memories, so that could be it too I guess. I've heard anxiety disorders can contribute to memory loss, which is why I asked.
I can tell you from years of experience that anxiety can cause hundreds of different symptoms, none of which can hurt you. But I know how strange they can feel. It can cause memory issues, but not permanent ones, rumination which is thinking over and over about something, all kinds of physical symptoms, trying to hold a train of thought, different memories that pop up or don’t pop up .
The sensation that life isn’t almost real is very common with anxiety and it’s called depersonalization or derealization. That’s when your brain tries to protect you from anxiety so it kind of blocks things out.. again, not harmful.
anxiety is very difficult to try to manage alone so I highly recommend if someone can get you an appointment with a counselor who specializes in anxiety. It would be very helpful. They really help you understand what’s going on and help you manage it.
try to think of what in your life is causing you stress or anxiety. There are some great meditations on YouTube for anxiety and other things that help you to calm down. The key is to relax your brain as much as possible. Also proper breathing is very important in managing this. There are also meditations for that that are short and really work! One is called don’t panic .
ive had all of your symptoms plus many more and I’m just still here and doing OK. But I do speak with a counselor every couple of weeks or every week.
. You’re going to be OK you just need to get some support right now. Take care of yourself
I was going to answer this Jan but can’t add to the excellent advice you have given. x