poor concentration

Blueberrybook · Mar 29, 2018 at 02:02 PM

Lately, my concentration has been the pits. I told my pdoc at my last appointment, but he wanted to address the sleep issue and anxiety. Well, today I hit a new low as far as concentration goes.

I went to the bank to the drive through ATM to deposit a check. I've done it lots of times. Later, I was at the grocery store, and the bank called asking if I'd been there today. I said yes. The manager told me I had left the undeposited check along with my debit card in the ATM! Thank God the person behind me was honest and went inside and gave it to a bank worker.

I put in a call to my pdoc to call me back. I CANNOT go around doing things like that until my next appointment.

Wander · Mar 29, 2018 at 02:19 PM

I get that. Before and after meds so I can’t explain the meds as it’s only csuse. I also tend get more forgetful during and especially after an episode. I think I read it actually changes your brain after rzhvepisode. However if these symptoms cause you grief contact your pdoc to see what could be it’s csuse. I know ignored symptoms of yours during the last meetings . It is important that you find the cause of this.

Meds haven’t done that to me, unless with ECT, so most of memory issued sar to do with my meds. Sorry your pdoc wasn’t so submissive to your pligh. Either get an important message to the doctor or get a song opiinoon you shouldn’t have to go through like likethiseveryone reacts to meds differently, maybe a change of meds will help you out. But don’t change them with a pdoc’s approval.

Unrigged64072835 · Mar 29, 2018 at 03:43 PM

I'm dealing with that and forgetfulness. Some of it may be med related, but there's other health factors going on that need to be addressed with my regular doc.

Mar 29, 2018 at 04:03 PM

When did your concentration start going down the toilet? Did it happen around the start/end of a certain med?

I'm glad you're advocating for yourself! I've learned the hard way that you should never, ever let something slide if it is bothering you.

BipolaRNurse · Mar 29, 2018 at 04:08 PM

I was honestly scared I was developing dementia, but I've had two psychiatrists tell me that my memory issues are due to repeated bipolar episodes combined with meds. I feel better knowing it's NOT dementia, but the other isn't modifiable either---I can't fix the bipolar, and I can't stop taking meds. Phooey!

Deejay14 · Mar 29, 2018 at 04:21 PM

Working on sleep and anxiety is not a bad idea. They are probably the top to reasons why people can't do what are very familiar tasks. Generally when my sleep goes out the window I am a mess and don't do much right. Even with stuff I do daily like sweep the kitchen floor i.e.. forget to pick up the dirt pile!

liveforsummer · Mar 29, 2018 at 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I was honestly scared I was developing dementia, but I've had two psychiatrists tell me that my memory issues are due to repeated bipolar episodes combined with meds. I feel better knowing it's NOT dementia, but the other isn't modifiable either---I can't fix the bipolar, and I can't stop taking meds. Phooey!

I thought the same thing but my psych also said it’s a result of BP, anxiety, meds, poor sleep etc.

DeFyYing · Mar 29, 2018 at 04:35 PM

I hear you, my concentration has been awful recently. I can't read long posts without forgetting what I'm reading. In class today I couldn't keep up, I was like 5 minutes behind everyone. Along with it I'm experiencing anhedonia and no motivation. I can't tell if it's my meds, the onset of a depressive episode, or negative symptoms of schizoaffective.

Blueberrybook · Mar 29, 2018 at 04:42 PM

Lately my concentration has been slipping in general. I am on new meds for anxiety and sleep, but it was happening before that too. However, I had been very depressed and then turned hypomanic, getting very little sleep. Ever since January, though, it's been hard for me to concentrate, such as reading a book. I had a big surgery on Valentine's Day, and that has left me anxious about finances since our health insurance is the pits, so I've had more panic attacks too.

Mar 29, 2018 at 04:53 PM

I obviously can't say where your poor concentration stems from, but it sounds like anxiety could certainly be exacerbating it. Sleep could as well. Maybe that's why he wanted to treat the sleep and anxiety first. I mean, it's one thing to treat the underlying cause, but if other things affect concentration too, those things ultimately must be treated as well. So maybe he's just taking things one step at a time.

It sucks that your concentration isn't getting any better, but maybe it will be with the new anxiety and sleep meds. And once the anxiety and sleep are improved, maybe he'll be able to pin down the exact cause of the poor concentration issues and be able to treat those issues as well.

Just my guess.

Tucson · Mar 29, 2018 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I was honestly scared I was developing dementia, but I've had two psychiatrists tell me that my memory issues are due to repeated bipolar episodes combined with meds. I feel better knowing it's NOT dementia, but the other isn't modifiable either---I can't fix the bipolar, and I can't stop taking meds. Phooey!

I felt this way too. It would make my daughters life more burdensome. I hope it is due to MI and meds. However, my mindlessness can last a long time. Currently, even though I am depressed, I can remember a large part of my past now. I even can remember names. I am using words that I forgot existed. All of this is very unusual. I have gone through large parts of my life with not remembering all of the above. But still my absent mindedness is in full force. Sounds like early onset dementia. I suspect this is not the case. I still need to be evaluated for this by my pdoc.

Blueberrybook · Mar 30, 2018 at 06:40 AM

I'm sorry others of you have gone through this too. It really sucks

I can't go around doing things like driving off, leaving my debit card in the ATM machine. I'm already constantly losing my cell phone and car keys. I do have a place I usually put them, but if something happens, say I'm coming home and the mail is outside, I will take the mail in, and then I'm apt to lose my keys. One time, I threw them in the trash with the junk mail. Another time, I lost my cell phone and couldn't find it in forever despite the fact that I was sure it was in my car or at home somewhere. I tried calling it and didn't here a thing all over the house. Later that day, I found my cell phone...in the refrigerator! I have no idea how or why I put it there.

Nola0250 · Mar 30, 2018 at 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cln1812

I'm sorry others of you have gone through this too. It really sucks

I can't go around doing things like driving off, leaving my debit card in the ATM machine. I'm already constantly losing my cell phone and car keys. I do have a place I usually put them, but if something happens, say I'm coming home and the mail is outside, I will take the mail in, and then I'm apt to lose my keys. One time, I threw them in the trash with the junk mail. Another time, I lost my cell phone and couldn't find it in forever despite the fact that I was sure it was in my car or at home somewhere. I tried calling it and didn't here a thing all over the house. Later that day, I found my cell phone...in the refrigerator! I have no idea how or why I put it there.

I do these things all the time lately. I sometimes did this type of thing before diagnosis but not as much. I can’t tell if it’s due to the BP or due to the meds. I suspect poor quality sleep has a lot to do with it.

Zigy · Mar 30, 2018 at 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cln1812

Lately, my concentration has been the pits. I told my pdoc at my last appointment, but he wanted to address the sleep issue and anxiety. Well, today I hit a new low as far as concentration goes.

I went to the bank to the drive through ATM to deposit a check. I've done it lots of times. Later, I was at the grocery store, and the bank called asking if I'd been there today. I said yes. The manager told me I had left the undeposited check along with my debit card in the ATM! Thank God the person behind me was honest and went inside and gave it to a bank worker.

I put in a call to my pdoc to call me back. I CANNOT go around doing things like that until my next appointment.

Mine is not as bad as yours but I can relate. My pdoc also focuses on sleeping and anxiety as they're the most disruptive. But it takes a hit on my concentration. I'm paranoid about losing my cards, my phone or my keys. Typing and reading are hard too.

Nola0250 · Mar 30, 2018 at 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cln1812

I'm sorry others of you have gone through this too. It really sucks

I can't go around doing things like driving off, leaving my debit card in the ATM machine. I'm already constantly losing my cell phone and car keys. I do have a place I usually put them, but if something happens, say I'm coming home and the mail is outside, I will take the mail in, and then I'm apt to lose my keys. One time, I threw them in the trash with the junk mail. Another time, I lost my cell phone and couldn't find it in forever despite the fact that I was sure it was in my car or at home somewhere. I tried calling it and didn't here a thing all over the house. Later that day, I found my cell phone...in the refrigerator! I have no idea how or why I put it there.

My concentration was poor yesterday so I forgot to add: I parked illegally yesterday, didn’t notice and got towed. Then I went to the tow yard, paid, and when I got to my car I had left my keys on their desk. So I’m right there with ya!

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Unrigged64072835 Legendary Member Since Oct 2010 Location: Under the noise floor Posts: 18,579 (SuperPoster!) 14 11.8k hugs given	Mar 29, 2018 at 03:43 PM #3 I'm dealing with that and forgetfulness. Some of it may be med related, but there's other health factors going on that need to be addressed with my regular doc.
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Anonymous35014 Guest Posts: n/a	Mar 29, 2018 at 04:03 PM #4 When did your concentration start going down the toilet? Did it happen around the start/end of a certain med? I'm glad you're advocating for yourself! I've learned the hard way that you should never, ever let something slide if it is bothering you.
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