SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT MY MEMORY?

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

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.