For young professionals working in stressful and high demand jobs to experience things like extreme stress and forgetting details etc. While these things happen to everyone over a period of time, what does it mean when it becomes a pattern? One such case was shared by Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD DM, a Hyderabad-based neurologist. In a recently shared post on X, he talked about how he often sees young adults concerned about memory lapses or irritability. People usually just say, "It's just stress!" However, Dr. Kumar explained that in some cases, the real reason is something different.Also Read: These ‘Silent’ Cancers Are Attacking Women, And Most Don’t See It Coming What Can Cause Memory Lapse Other Than Stress? Dr. Kumar told the story of a 33-year-old man who worked in IT. For about four years, he had been increasingly forgetful and cranky. Even though he seemed healthy, these small changes were starting to hurt his job and his family life. Everyone around him, including his relatives, thought he was simply "stressed out." When the doctor asked more questions, he learned a key fact: the patient was a very strict vegetarian. This detail made Dr. Kumar suspect a Vitamin B12 deficiency. He ordered a special blood test for active Vitamin B12. The result was shocking: the man's B12 level was only 10 pmol/L, which is very low (it should be higher than 70). This confirmed he had a severe Vitamin B12 deficiency. When Forgetfulness is Not Just StressAs a neurologist, I often see young adults who come to me worried about memory lapses or irritability. Many times, these are brushed aside as stress-related, especially in today’s fast-paced world. But sometimes, the story is different.One… pic.twitter.com/ns2TMCEGhb— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) October 6, 2025 ]]>Why Is B12 Vitamin Necessary For Your Brain? Dr Kumar explained that vitamin B12 is absolutely necessary for your brain and nervous system to work correctly. When you don't have enough, it can cause problems that look like mental illness or stress, things like forgetfulness, being irritable, mood swings, feeling depressed, or having trouble focusing. Importantly, these issues can happen even before a person develops anemia (low iron) or obvious nerve damage.Also Read: If You're Alone At Home And Experience A Heart Attack, Here's How You Survive: According To Doctor Can Doctors Prescribe Vitamin B12 For Memory? In the case of the IT professional, years of eating a vegetarian diet without taking any supplements had slowly but surely used up all the essential Vitamin B12 in his body. The patient immediately began treatment with Vitamin B12 shots given into the muscle, followed by a regular maintenance plan. Dr. Kumar also advised him to start eating dairy products and foods that have been fortified (meaning B12 was added to them). Within a few weeks, his family noticed a clear improvement in his mood. Over a few months, his memory and concentration got much better, and his family happily commented that "he was back to his usual self." The treatment had worked. Frequently Missed Signs of Vitamin B12 This case showes us that Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common, especially in India among people who don't eat meat. It often goes unnoticed because the symptoms—like feeling stressed or depressed—are mistaken for simple mental or emotional issues. Many people are misdiagnosed or suffer for years without treatment. The good news is simple: a quick blood test and fast treatment can completely reverse the condition and prevent long-term damage, but you have to catch it early. Here are some things you should not ignore. If you're constantly forgetful, irritable, or tired, don't just blame stress. Go see your doctor.If you are vegetarian or vegan, you are at high risk of low B12. You often need to eat foods with added B12 or take supplements.Getting treated early can stop permanent damage to your brain and nerves.
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