[Curiosity77]

Does anyone else have problems with concentration? I love to read, but in the past couple years since I've been on so many meds I find it hard to focus long enough to get through a book. I start them, but I loose interest, or I read a bunch and realize I don't remember what I just read. I've made through less than 10 books in the past 2 years, and used to read a lot. I miss it, and I wonder if I'll ever get my concentration back. The weird thing is that I can focus on reading journal articles and patient histories for work, it's reading for fun that I'm having the problem with. I don't know why that is.

I also feel like I've lost some of my mental sharpness, I just don't think as quickly or remember things as well as I used to. I don't know if that's meds, bipolar, age, or something else. I saw a lecture about the progression of bipolar 2, and the speaker was saying that there is often cognitive decline. He described a case example of a woman who was very bright and successful in her 20s, but had some severe episodes, and became progressively more disabled with cognitive symptoms through her 30s and 40s. The case example was unable to work by part way through her 40s. I'm 37, and I'm afraid that is describing me. I was pretty sharp in my 20s and early 30s, and now I do pretty well, but it's harder. I had a severe mixed episode at 34, and cognitively I never fully recovered. I need to be sharp and on top of my game for work, so it scares me to think there could be more decline. I talked to my pdoc about it, and she said the decline is only if the bipolar goes untreated, so she thinks I'll be OK. I'm still worried

Im too confused on the new meds to answer as well as I would like but its very true what you have written.

I feel meds and episodes have damaged my brain in a way that it will never recover. I can barely work part time now, I do not have much hope for the future. I used to be very clever, now I feel retarded.

[medicalfox]

Originally Posted by Curiosity77

Does anyone else have problems with concentration? I love to read, but in the past couple years since I've been on so many meds I find it hard to focus long enough to get through a book. I start them, but I loose interest, or I read a bunch and realize I don't remember what I just read. I've made through less than 10 books in the past 2 years, and used to read a lot. I miss it, and I wonder if I'll ever get my concentration back. The weird thing is that I can focus on reading journal articles and patient histories for work, it's reading for fun that I'm having the problem with. I don't know why that is.

I also feel like I've lost some of my mental sharpness, I just don't think as quickly or remember things as well as I used to. I don't know if that's meds, bipolar, age, or something else. I saw a lecture about the progression of bipolar 2, and the speaker was saying that there is often cognitive decline. He described a case example of a woman who was very bright and successful in her 20s, but had some severe episodes, and became progressively more disabled with cognitive symptoms through her 30s and 40s. The case example was unable to work by part way through her 40s. I'm 37, and I'm afraid that is describing me. I was pretty sharp in my 20s and early 30s, and now I do pretty well, but it's harder. I had a severe mixed episode at 34, and cognitively I never fully recovered. I need to be sharp and on top of my game for work, so it scares me to think there could be more decline. I talked to my pdoc about it, and she said the decline is only if the bipolar goes untreated, so she thinks I'll be OK. I'm still worried

Try reading information that you're interested in. Since you're a nurse try reading topics on healthcare or what you directly specialize in. I'm a hospice cna and I read a lot of healthcare articles to keep me sharp

[hamster-bamster]

Baby aspirin has some evidence going for it, in terms of preventing dementia. I could not tolerate it due to heavy nosebleeds, but if you are not prone to being easily bruised and bleeding easily and profusely, it may be worth trying (having checked with the pdoc for drug interactions). There is moderately positive evidence for the benefits of concord grape juice and pomegranate juice. Obviously, alcohol in moderation is healthy and aids in prevention of cognitive decline, but alcohol is tricky in bipolar because it can interact with medications (this is determined individually, with no strict rules), and, people with bipolar on average are more likely to abuse substances. If you personally don't have the tendency to abuse substances, then trying to see if you can tolerate one serving of alcohol on most days of the week would be prudent. Cardio exercise, as easy as walking for 45 mins daily, has been proven to boost mental abilities and, unlike alcohol, has virtually no counter indications. Last but not least is getting sufficient sleep and sufficient hydration. Soups, fruit, high liquid content vegetables, yogurt and other liquid dairy should be consumed daily. Cucumbers and watermelon top the list of foods by liquid content, but there are many other strong contenders. Then what you drink - water, tea, and sweet drinks in moderation (a mango lassi or a berry yogurt smoothie). Hydration is absolutely key for mental acuity. And if you take medications that are cleared by the kidneys, you need even more hydration.

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[jenniy122]

Whether it's from progression of my symptoms or from the medications I don't know, but I definitely am cognitively duller and less able to concentrate than I was able to 5 years ago. And I'm only 26. I can't read for enjoyment anymore, when under 20 that was all I did. I can't even remember what half-hour tv program I'm watching when the commercials come on. Finishing my degree was an extreme struggle, even though I didn't go to traditional university.