As written in the title, my moods have been fine for a while. I haven't even had much, if any, anxiety. But why do I still feel like I'm not fully functional?

I've been on disability for years. I try to add more responsibilities in my life, but find that as I add more, something gets forgotten/neglected. It's hard for me to multitask, which is something I felt I did well years ago before the worst of my illness struck, though hubby says I did forget things simetimes. Is it the illness? But nowadays I forget kind of small, but crucial things, despite being home and having very few major responsibilities. I won't give examples, but I'll say that I'm glad I never became a mother.

I don't sleep all day, nor am I tired in the daytime, but my mind seems to only be able to focus on a couple things max at a time. I definitely don't have ADHD. I do think it is an issue stemming from my bipolar disorder and/or my medications. If the latter, that would be a shame. My moods are so good, and honestly, I can't see lowering my meds much further.

[99fairies]

I hope it's not from your meds. And I hope this passes for you soon. Good job on your level moods, That's gotta feel pretty good. I can't multi task either and my memory is shiit.
My thoughts are with you and I hope you feel better soon. Big hugs!

Thanks, 99fairies!

[SorryShaped]

It's it like knowing there are things you meant to do or need to do but have no idea what until it's too late? Do you walk away in the middle of tasks or conversations for any reason? Is it worse or better within an hour after meds?
I'd like you to get this figured out. Two of those are ADD symptoms, by the way.
Please keep us informed of any changes

Originally Posted by SorryShaped

It's it like knowing there are things you meant to do or need to do but have no idea what until it's too late? Do you walk away in the middle of tasks or conversations for any reason? Is it worse or better within an hour after meds?
I'd like you to get this figured out. Two of those are ADD symptoms, by the way.
Please keep us informed of any changes

I never walk away in the middle of tasks or conversations, though my mind can wander during the course, but not usually unless I'm hypomanic or manic. I don't know if the time I take my meds affects this issue I mentioned. Actually, I tend to forget a lot of things mostly in the afternoon, hours after having taken meds at 7 am.

I know that a few of the characteristics of ADHD can be similar to bipolar hypomanic/manic or anxiety symptoms, but many ADHD symptoms I don't have, or at least I never had up until about 8 years ago (I'm in my mid 40s). No doctor has ever suggested I have ADHD, and my husband, who does have the inattentive type, thinks I'm often the opposite of ADHD. Even if I did have ADHD I wouldn't be able to take any of the medications for it. All antidepressants I've ever taken have destabilized, as have stimulants like Provigil. If I ever did have ADHD, it would have to be the hyperactive type and I'd have to have bipolar type 1 (with a history of psychotic features), as well.

[SorryShaped]

Hyperfocus is also a symptom. It's a strange thing, ADHD. They won't give me stimulants or antidepressants any more either. They have a problem with me being in mania or hypomania and don't like that. I don't like the fallout of them, but quite like most of the manic symptoms.
I'll not press it further. Bipolar causes focus issues too, in any mood, and the meds for it certainly do.
I have a way you can test your focus. This isn't for any condition in particular, just a focus test. Find a puzzle game you like to play, like Sudoku. Do a puzzle three times a day, morning, noon, and night. Make it something you can do very quickly. I test with 12x12 but I'm ADHD with hyperfocus so don't go that far to start with or do it if you can. My best time is under 12 minutes and longest is in the evening at more than 112 minutes with finally giving up.
I do have to use caffeine and other stimulants found in nature and energy shots/drinks to barely keep focus. I found the Eternal Energy shots that only Walmart sells to work best, because they also give minor seratonin boosts with yerba mate

Originally Posted by SorryShaped

Hyperfocus is also a symptom. It's a strange thing, ADHD. They won't give me stimulants or antidepressants any more either. They have a problem with me being in mania or hypomania and don't like that. I don't like the fallout of them, but quite like most of the manic symptoms.
I'll not press it further. Bipolar causes focus issues too, in any mood, and the meds for it certainly do.
I have a way you can test your focus. This isn't for any condition in particular, just a focus test. Find a puzzle game you like to play, like Sudoku. Do a puzzle three times a day, morning, noon, and night. Make it something you can do very quickly. I test with 12x12 but I'm ADHD with hyperfocus so don't go that far to start with or do it if you can. My best time is under 12 minutes and longest is in the evening at more than 112 minutes with finally giving up.
I do have to use caffeine and other stimulants found in nature and energy shots/drinks to barely keep focus. I found the Eternal Energy shots that only Walmart sells to work best, because they also give minor seratonin boosts with yerba mate

I have to say that I've never in my entire life enjoyed doing crossword, picture or Rubic's Cube type puzzles of any kind, or even things like crocheting. Not that I didn't like and enjoy things like designing databases, writing for marketing purposes, problem solving issues, or organizing major corporate events. I could always handle and at least somewhat enjoy projects that had a real benefit in the end. And either good money or real satisfaction. I never really found crosswords and the other types of "game" puzzles that satisfying to solve/complete.

[SorryShaped]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I have to say that I've never in my entire life enjoyed doing crossword, picture or Rubic's Cube type puzzles of any kind. Not that I didn't like and enjoy things like designing databases, writing for marketing purposes, problem solving issues, or organizing major corporate events. I could always handle and at least somewhat enjoy projects that had a real benefit in the end. And good money. I never really found crosswords and the other types of "game" puzzles that satisfying to solve/complete.

Ok then, this won't work for you. The Open Source community always needs help if you're looking for a hobby. I was a frequent contributor to several decently known projects for a long time, then my brain flipped and now I just break all the new Windows releases for fun and play with security flaws I can find in everything. It's like they put them there on purpose, like MS's "features"