What is wrong with me?

Hello everybody my name is Nick. 24 year old male. Have always been in decent health. I am a little overweight and also a vegetarian. I live a rather easygoing and stress free life.

However, I have started to notice this problem that I've been suffering for several years now, but always just put it aside and acted like it was nothing. I go through these phases or spells where it is very difficult for me to focus on all kinds of activities and I sort of feel "out of it". Kinda mentally foggy I guess you could say. Social interaction can also be awkward sometimes.

Now I am not ALWAYS this way. It really doesn't happen too often either, but lately it has been. Sometimes this fog will last for a day and sometimes a week.

Some examples of things that I experience are trouble following along with movies, difficulty following along or listening to the lyrics of songs, so I tend to focus more on the music aspect. I also have trouble understanding or remembering stuff I read, which is why I don't tend to like reading books. Another one which can be very dangerous is that sometimes I tend to get sidetracked by outside activity while driving. I know it's horrible!

What could this be guys? I am thinking Adult ADD, what do you all think?

I have the same feels everyday, this response isn't to answer your question. Mostly, because I don't know the answer. . .But if you ever need to talk, I'm here.
Also, this "foggy" feeling can come from medications...are you on any?

Thank you. I appreciate it.

And no I am not on any meds. I am thinking it may be three things; either ADD, Anxiety, or lack of some kind of vitamin due to my vegetarian(pretty much vegan) diet.

Yeah, that could be it, the vegan thing. I "suffer" from anorexia, so food and vitamins in my system? Not likely. I also do stuff with Peta2 all the time :3 I chat with people who have been vegans for YEARS. See your doctor? Maybe? Get on some vitamins, keep yo system balanced, son. Boss. I have anxiety as well so that is for sure a possibility. ADD, I'm not too sure...Like I said, SEE A DOCTOR. This site is VERY helpful, but if you want to be diagnosed... see a professional...I don't take important advice like that from the internet. c:

No more input?

:/ I'm not really sure, but if you ever need anything. . . I'm here!

If I were in your shoes, the first thing I'd do is get a thorough physical, including bloodwork to evaluate your nutritional status. What you are describing could be iron deficiency anemia, for example, which is something vegetarians and especially vegans have to watch out for. Certain B vitamin deficiencies, particularly B12, can have those kinds of symptoms, too.

I am not a doctor, but what you are describing... that is phases of inattention, could be bipolar disorder (,or theoretically periodically triggered depression.)

It still could be ADD or a strictly biologically based disorder, too.

I'd frankly see a doctor, and if at all possible, a psychiatrist for some eval.

Thanks so much guys. It's a little tricky for me to see a doctor due to not having health insurance

But I am a veteran, so I'm going to have to make my way to the nearest VA medical center and see what they could do for me.

Yes. And the VA do have docs. Might be tough getting help but they have people that you might ultimately get to with M.D.s

Good to know. Considering it is associated with the military, you gotta assume the process will have plenty of hurdles lol.

Oh yeah, that's going to take some perseverance.... One of my brothers is in that position. I could just wring his neck, because he elected to not enroll in Medicare when it would have been "affordable," and now he claims he can't afford the higher premiums. So he is stuck, or so he says. He's had some very dire health problems and would have been up a creek had he not had VA access.

It's definitely something I'd pursue sooner rather than later if I were in your shoes. Brace yourself for a bit of a project, but depending on where you live and which facility/ies you use, the access shouldn't be TOO horribly complicated, at least not to a generalist.

This is very important. I have dealt with anorexia a long time and can testify to the simple effectiveness of getting proper nutrients. Also (and certainly this may not be your case at all!), I have known so many vegans and vegetarians missing valuable knowledge regarding alternative sources of nutrients for the foods they keep themselves to and that rely too heavily on the idea of taking supplements. It is possible to live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle without ::having:: to take vitamins.

So, as the quoted poster already stated a little too: If it were me, and based on my many previous experiences, I would get bloodwork done (skip the physical since you don't have insurance unless you have chronic or ongoing physical issues), make even just one comprehensive apointment with a nutritionist, release or take your bloodwork results with you, and they will be able to evaluate your situation and build a personal eating, erm, strategy? with you.

ADHD is heavily influenced by diet, so if you do indeed have it, diet should be addressed first and foremost anyway as it is one thing you can consistently do to help yourself without meds. Many swear by the adoption of a gluten-free lifestyle for controlling/tempering ADHD symptoms or challenges. Obviously, though, if not having gluten makes one otherwise mentally unsatiated after a decent trial, it may not be worth it overall (life is too short, rubberbanding and falling off the health wagon altogether, binging, etc.).

There is a huge probability, if you are currently not getting adequate nutrients, that a visit with a nutritionist and adopting an even healthier and balanced lifestyle (don't forget consistent sleep!) could erase the issues you're experiencing. ...They sound exactly like the ones I've experienced with anorexia. Your complexion, nail strength, and hair strength are also great indicators of your present health.

So, after evaluating your physical condition and insuring you're doing the best you can to provide for yourself there, if you still find after a decent amount of time that you're experiencing these foggy moments, then look into a mental health eval.

Just what I would do.

Wow great post Redsoft. Thank you very much.

I eat a LOT of sugar lol. I'll tell you how my adhd test goes..

hi Nick! I wanted to respond to your post as soon as i had the chance because i think your symptoms are similar to ones i had before i received treatment...it took years and my being a bit of a detective when it comes to my own health issues...
Your health is the priority so the sooner you take care of yourself the better you will feel. I am not a Dr., but I as soon as i began going for blood work up and physical exam, things started to fall into place.
First on the list...make the necessary dr. appts to get the proper diagnosis. Very important to get a blood workup done.
I suspect you are deficient in B-12 and possible other vitamin deficiencies...many vegetarians have problems absorbing vit B-12. I am not a vegetarian, but I don't eat red meat...it triggers my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). My IBS got so bad at one point i stopped eating.
I was in the dr office (several years ago) and i suggested getting a B-12 scann done. Sure enough, i was right! I had to start w/shots monthly...very easy to do.
Lack of B-12 can cause fatigue, foggy brain, etc...look it up so you can see the wide range of symptoms. I had an overall feeling of "lousy" or "crappy" and blood profile revealed why.
You could be hypo thyroid...again, blood workup!
You need to be specific with your dr. not all blood tests will reveal a borderline thyroid problem. That's all it takes to feel the same way...foggy brain, fatigue, even weight gain. So you want to ask about getting TSH, free T4 scann done. look that up online too. Good to be informed.
Same with hypothyroid…I was finally properly diagnosed when i was your age. I was living in NYC and went to one of the best specialists in the city (through a state health plan). I have been on medication ever since. Hypothyroid can also cause edema (retaining water). I peed for 2 weeks! LOL...
You could be a tad anemic.
If the above are the main culprits, the most important thing after diagnosis is to stay on top of it all. Especially thyroid medication.

Of course all this is contingent upon getting a complete physical exam. So please give your doc a call if you havent already (seems others are suggesting same).

As far as behavioral health. I take medication for ADD, depression and anxiety. So those are also areas you may want to explore...i can't begin to explain my brain thought process!! I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult (in my 40's). I read an article in the newspaper and i felt like it was written about me.
Again, very important to stay on top of medications and how you take them. If you have ADD and are prescribed medication, please take it responsibly. The worst thing to do is what the trend seems to be...take gobbs of it expecting an epiphany when the complete opposite will happen. You do not want to go there...You can get more specific info from your psychiatrist. I take a small dose time release and i'm doing okay...helps me focus.
I admit, i do get distracted by shiny objects!! LOL
So Nick, I hope this helps you get to where you need to be...these are very simple tasks make phone call, dr appts, get your blood work and physical done...I bet you will begin to feel better sooner than you think.

The most important thing is to stay on top of it all...whatever medications you take...go to those dr. visits, get blood work up done when it's time to do so...don't wait (like i have done in the past) til you feel "lousy." Especially...be up close and personal w/your Doctors. ASK QUESTIONS!

Please keep us updated okay...I wish you the best...

If you Google "lab tests online" you will find some resources for getting lab work done cheaper than if you had to pay uninsured-person-cash prices.

I really appreciate all the info and support guys! I am going to start doing some research on lab tests. Thanks!!