Questions your doctor may ask about memory loss

If you’re struggling with memory loss, it could be from aging, a disease or an injury. There are many potential conditions that lead to both long-term and short-term memory loss, which could represent a disability. If you’ve become concerned about the issues you’ve noticed, or if a loved one does, you may need to go to the doctor to get a diagnosis.

At this time, your doctor is going to ask you a series of questions to see what’s going on. Some of these questions may include the following:

• When did you first start noticing that you had issues with your memory?
• Do they seem to be getting worse or staying the same?
• Do you consistently take any supplements, medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or prescription drugs?
• If you do, did you start any of them recently or have you been taking them for a long time?
• Do you drink alcohol or use any other types of drugs?
• Have you gotten injured in any sort of accident recently, like a car accident, a fall or a workplace accident?
• To deal with these memory problems and the impact on your life, what coping tactics have you used?
• Do your memory issues make you feel anxious or depressed?
• Are there any other physical or mental ailments you need to report?
• Have you gone through any stressful events, like the loss of a loved one?

These questions just get the conversation started, and your doctor may have many more that are specific to your situation. Getting that diagnosis is important if you are interested in looking into your disability rights and financial options.