Do you think stress can cause short term memory loss?

Absolutely. Yes. Extreme stress overwhelms the mind as if forces some thoughts to the surface while burying others for the short term. It's real. It happens.

That explains a lot, actually

So I didn't even know forum topics existed... my inclination is to answer yes to this question, but I don't have any scientific evidence for it.

Without a doubt! It can also cause pretty bad hair loss. Trust me with that one. Stress is so crazy.