[xRavenx]

When do you have them most difficulty focusing: when you are manic, hypomanic, depressed, mixed/rapidly cycling, or all of the above?

I get "cloudy thinking" when depressed, like everything is happening around me, but I'm completely checked out and detached.

During the onset of hypomania, I feel sharp and quick-minded, but during Mania or Mixed Mania/rapid cycling, my concentration also gets really difficult, where too many thoughts are going through my head, and I get distracted easily. Currently, I'd describe myself as rapidly cycling, and my focus isn't there. I'm waiting for it to return. I don't think my meds are right.

What's your experience with concentration during different phases of BP?

[JustJace2u]

I seem to have a problem in general. I never know how my mood will be from one moment to the next which is why I think I struggle so much with concentration.

I have ADHD, so my concentration always sucks unfortunately... but when I'm in any kind of episode, my concentration gets a lot worse.

During depression, my mind is just foggy. During hypo/mania, my mind wanders because I have so many "great ideas" running through my head

[WhiskeyGirl]

Definitely, while I am depressed. I have manic depression so that is a lot which is a real problem because I'm a blogger. It is awful.

[BipolaRNurse]

I have trouble concentrating even when I'm well, let alone during mood episodes. I really feel like I've lost my intelligence since I was diagnosed and put on meds. I don't know whether it's brain damage from repeated manic and depressed episodes, or the meds I'm using to treat my illness. Or some combination of the above.

[Nate7907]

My concentration is bad when I am during all my moods. At baseline it is ok though

[Wild Coyote]

Concentrating while depressed is very difficult.

I feel an overall lack of the ability to think/concentrate as well as I have in the past. I think the combination of meds is a bit overwhelming at times.


WC

[fishin fool]

My concentration has never been great but I think it has gotten worse over the
last few years and its always worse when I am very depressed.

[pirilin]

Depression is the mother of all evil.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Depression is the mother of all evil.

I'd say depression is the mother of some evil and mania the mother of all evil. Mania is the biological mother. Depression is just understimulation and (sometimes) exhaustion.

I can't concentrate without an antipsychotic. Mania is just that amplified. Depression too makes it difficult.

[Coconutzo]

Sometimes(alltimes) I'm so confused that I'm sure I'm faking being "mentally ill" at all

[mossanimal]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

When do you have them most difficulty focusing: when you are manic, hypomanic, depressed, mixed/rapidly cycling, or all of the above?

I get "cloudy thinking" when depressed, like everything is happening around me, but I'm completely checked out and detached.

During the onset of hypomania, I feel sharp and quick-minded, but during Mania or Mixed Mania/rapid cycling, my concentration also gets really difficult, where too many thoughts are going through my head, and I get distracted easily. Currently, I'd describe myself as rapidly cycling, and my focus isn't there. I'm waiting for it to return. I don't think my meds are right.

What's your experience with concentration during different phases of BP?

This is how I experience it. When I'm depressed I don't care enough about anything to focus on it. Except a movie. When hypo.. I'm capable of laser focus... on the wrong thing.

[BudFox]

If BP is causing these cognitive problems, what is the mechanism of action?

I would suspect something more along the lines of the depression, mania, and brain fog all being symptoms of some set of underlying conditions -- inflammation, oxidative stress, nutrient deficiencies, toxicity syndromes, infectious disease, leaky gut, environmental problems, hormones, etc etc.

For me brain fog is worse an hour or two following meals, suggesting that something is amiss in the gut. It's also worse post-exertion (physical or mental), and in the afternoon. Better in the evening. Could be adrenal related.

[gina_re]

Definitely more issues when depressed. But because of all the drugs I've tried and am currently on, my memory and concentration allows me to jusy get through taking care of myself.

[xRavenx]

Yes, I'm also starting to wonder if these meds are making my concentration worse....is it currently the symptoms/illness, the medication side effects, or (more likely) a combination of both?