SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT MY MEMORY?
YOU South Africa|6 April 2023
Fretting about forgetfulness as you age? In his new book neurologist Richard Restak explains when you should be concerned – and you might find the answers surprisingly reassuring
Richard Restak
SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT MY MEMORY?

IT'S on the tip of my tongue!

You might find yourself saying this more and more as every year slips by.

With each birthday it can feel as if it takes just a little bit longer to remember the name of that celebrity in the film you loved so much or the restaurant you visited last week.

Could these "senior moments" be a sign of something more serious, you whisper to yourself - or is it just a normal effect of ageing that's nothing to worry about?

In his new book, The Complete Guide to Memory, American neurologist Dr Richard Restak tackles these insecurities head on and shares how to work out when to worry or be calm. The answers might be surprisingly reassuring.

THESE days anyone over 50 lives in dread of the Big A Alzheimer's disease. Small social gatherings take on the atmosphere of a quiz show:

"Wait, wait... don't tell me." That's the one where guests vie with each other to come up with the names of such things as the actor playing a role in the latest mini-series everybody is bingeing on.

Quick, quicker, quickest lest others suspect you of coming down with the initial symptoms of the Big A.

Although Alzheimer's disease isn't nearly as common as many people fear, worries about memory lapses are increasingly expressed to friends.

They're also the most common complaint that people over 55 bring to their doctors.

But such concerns are often unjustified and arouse needless anxiety.

PUT YOURSELF TO THE TEST

Below are several questions which I invite you to check as involving either (A) an example of a perfectly acceptable memory or (B) perhaps the beginning of a potentially serious memory problem.

Denne historien er fra 6 April 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra 6 April 2023-utgaven av YOU South Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA YOU SOUTH AFRICASe alt
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ mins  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 mins  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 mins  |
14 November 2024