Dramalzheimer's
10 Signs of Dramalzheimer's
Strategic memory loss that disrupts the impact of gossip, back-stabbing, passive-aggression, emo, and angst is a typical part of cultivating what is often called "maturity" and may also be a symptom of Dramalzheimer's, an attitude that causes a slow decline in memory skills when it comes to keeping track of personal and social drama and mental upset. Every individual may experience one or more of the following symptoms in different degrees. If you notice any one of them in yourself, please take a moment for self-congratulation.
10 signs of Dramalzheimer's:
Memory changes that disrupt daily angst
One of the most common signs of Dramalzheimer's, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned personal information about those around you. Others include forgetting slights, antipathies, greivances, grudges, and other problems; asking for the same information over and over ("Wait, is he not talking to me?"); relying on memory aides or family members for drama tracking you used to handle on your own. For example, if you have Dramalzheimer's you may remove someone from an address book in an attempt to remind yourself that they apparently have some sort of problem with you, so you won't cheerfully speak to them again later.
Challenges in solving other people's personal issues
Some people with Dramalzheimer's may experience changes in their ability to concern themselves with other people's personal issues. They may have trouble making other people's problems into their own and have difficulty concentrating on taking all the blame, apologizing sufficiently for it being all their fault, and promising to change to please others.
Confusion with time or place
People with Dramalzheimer's can lose track of dates and the passage of time. They will not remember a petty disagreement from a week ago and may even forget a few spiteful words said in anger from just a few hours ago. They become amicable, reasonable, and conciliatory very rapidly. They may have trouble understanding drama if it is not happening immediately, and could have trouble understanding it even while it is in progress. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got into the argument in the first place.
Trouble understanding negative relationships
For some people, a sign of Dramalzheimer's includes having problems understanding relationships that seem to be based in dislike, negativity, hostility, or aversion. Because they do not see the point in it themselves, they may not fully realize that some individuals persistantly have interactions with people they don't like. They may have difficulty reading that others dislike them, judging distance (in terms of intimacy), and determining relationship contrasts. ("If he talks to me every day, even if just to be snide, doesn't that mean he derives something from the relationship?") They may have to be encouraged to be patient with those who do not have Dramalzheimer's.
New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Dramalzheimer's may have trouble following or joining fights, face-offs, quarrels, arguments, blow-ups, debates, bickering, or miscellaneous mean-spirited conversation. They may stop in the middle of an argument and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary and may have problems finding the right word or may call things by the wrong name. e.g. "He's probably just having a hard time at work." "No, he's an ASSHOLE." "Okay, I just think it's because he's having a really hard time with so many deadlines." "It's called being a JERK-OFF." "Okay, sorry, he's a jerk-off."
Misplacing feelings and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Dramalzheimer's may put their more unreasonable and less fair thoughts and feelings away in unusual places, such as private for-their-eyes-only journals, or may just let these feelings run their course without any outward expression at all. They may lose these bad feelings altogether and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. This may result in good-humored, gracious, well-balanced behavior that resembles "Happiness."
Increased good judgment
People with Dramalzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use more discerning judgment when dealing with identified drama queens. They may pay less attention to passive-aggressive or attention-getting behavior.
Withdrawal from drama-cultivating activities
A person with Dramalzheimer's may start to remove themselves from drama-inducing acquaintences, hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports. They may have trouble engaging in these activities if they are too saturated with drama. They may also avoid being social with certain groups because of the changes they have experienced. They may quietly disappear from guilds, gaming groups, forums, chat rooms, etc.
Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Dramalzheimer's can change. They can become affable, amicable, good-humored, benign, charming, cheerful, copacetic, cordial, easy, engaging, friendly, genial, good-natured, gracious, kindly, lenient, lovable, mellow, mild, obliging, sociable, sweet-tempered, warmhearted, and/or downright neighborly.
If you notice any of the 10 Signs of Dramalzheimer's in yourself or someone you know and wish to maintain them, you can explore treatments that increase its duration such as love, patience, self-honesty, and generosity of spirit when dealing with others.