When should I see a doctor about my forgetfulness?

Forgetting is a common issue that affects everyone; but when forgetfulness becomes consistent and starts to interfere with the ability to function, you should get checked out. Neurologist Gayatri Devi, MD, discusses when it's time to take action.

Transcript

00:00

The important thing to know is that forgetting is normal and forgetting happens to all of us all of the time.

00:06

[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:16

All of us are going to forget all of the time. Forgetting is an incessant, constant process. To remember something, usually we have to do it actively.

00:26

And when we're stressed or if we're at an interview or during an exam, it's very common

00:32

that we're going to forget something because we're anxious. So really, the important thing to know

00:39

is that forgetting is normal and forgetting happens to all of us all of the time. When should you go to a doctor when you're forgetful?

00:47

You should go when the forgetfulness is consistent, when it's happening more and more,

00:53

and when it's beginning to interfere with your ability to function, when you no longer can keep appointments

01:00

because you're forgetting so much or when you're having trouble finding words because you can't retrieve the words

01:07

or if you can't come back into your home one too many times because you've lost your car keys or your house keys again.

01:15

Then you should probably go have it checked out. There are so many different ways that forgetfulness can be treated.

01:21

Most of us are afraid to look into why we're forgetting because you're worried we're going to find out something horrible is going on like a dementia, which

01:29

is what most of us are worried about as we get older. But sometimes, the treatment can be something very easy,

01:35

like perhaps it's just a thyroid problem. Perhaps it's just depression. Perhaps it's just a vitamin deficiency,

01:42

in which case, it can be easily treated and cured. [AUDIO LOGO]