I am 20 years old and suffering from extreme memory decline that has been degenerative over the course of the last 2-3 years. It has become so bad I can't even manage to remember the simplest tasks. I am depressed by now of course as I feel like my brain is decaying. My senses have become so dull and everything I do is in autopilot mode. I get plenty of sleep and truthfully the more I sleep the worse this feeling is. It is leading to various other problems such as delusions and major OCD. Could this be merely depression? I am never sad. This is degenerative in that each day progressively worsens th problem. I never even feel any emotion. Any help could be a life saver; no pun intended.

I would make an appt with a neurologist (I think they take care of brain issues) nontheless your GP should be able to point you to a specialist...assuming they've done blood tests and such. There are physical problems that can cause your symptoms as well. I would look to those first, and rule them out.

Hi Jaded...First of all...I'm sorry you're going through so much...it sounds like you've gone through quite a bit these last few years. You're 20 years old...this is not normal by any means. Have you had any CT scans, or MRI's of your brain?? You definitely need to get into a doctor...more than likely a neurologist as Kiasmama suggested, asap. It could be easily treated, yet it might be hard to treat, but you won't know until you check. Good luck...I hope you get some relief soon.

Yeah...memory decline, slowed thinking, and feeling no emotions all tie in with depression. That is not to rule out a complete physical, but you need to see a mental health specialist. Delusions and OCD need to be treated.

Good luck.

I appreciate the feedback. About a year ago right when it began to really take hold I had an MRI with no signs of atrophy; everything else seemed normal at the time though I have an appt. with a neurologist in two weeks, and a psychiatrist next month. I wouldn't contend the depression aspect as I'm sure I am as far as the lethargy goes; perhaps even the lack of emotion for all I know; but the gradual decline is what concerns me. I've been diagnosed with depression since I was in 7th grade; being on and off of every SRI you can bring to the table; all to no avail as the issue has increasingly become more impairing. I'll definitely keep the board updated as if I do find an answer I'd want anyone else with similar issues to know.

The culprit could be the ssri's.

Hello. I' had these symptoms for the last three months and only had some things ruled out and still have not been to a neurologist or psychologist.
Same symptoms as you described but I think my problem stems from a panic attack I had which led to derealization/depersonilization, hypochondria and severe OCD.
I also developed severe depression as a result. I always had anxiety and mild depression but these feelings are unlike anything I've experienced before and caused me to believe I had either a brain tumor or sosme other degenerative neurological disease such as fronal lobe dementia. Also couldn't concentrate on anything.

So far I've been toughing it out not knowing if any physical problem is causing this but suspect it's a major depressive episode caused by my obsessive thinking and family history of depression.

Keep me updated on your condition.

Just a little update I forgot to mention in my initial reply. During this panic attack I was briefly disoriented while driving and had to pull to the side of the road to gather my faculties because nothing was familiar or seemed real which brought about the derealization.
Since that day my OCD imbedded in my mind that I was losing my memory and I was afraid to drive anywhere because I thought I wouldn't remember anything. I started to convince myself I was losing my memory because of that one instance.

But every now and then I would give myself a memory test and realized I can remember everything about the past up till age two (I'm 41). I even passed all the cognitive tests but still have this phobia embedded in my mind of losing my memory and being a hypochondriac. In my case I believe it's anxiety and OCD but am not sure.