[RyanT]

Hey guys,

I have been struggling with poor concentration ever since experimenting with some meds back in 2015. Onset of Bipolar was in 2006 and the period in between my concentration was pretty good. The main problem I am struggling with now is the ability to keep up with verbal communication. It's like I can't process it fast enough, and even trying to keep up with basic conversation can be a struggle for me.

I also have OCD and GAD. The concentration difficulties since 2015 have occurred during both periods of depression and stability, and also during periods of high anxiety and when my OCD and GAD were in remission.

I am going to try hard to keep up with an exercise and mindfulness routine in hopes that can help me.

Does anyone here have any ideas, tips, suggestions, strategies, anything to help improve my concentration, especially trying to keep up with verbal communication?

Thanks in advance,

Ryan

[Moose72]

What medications are you on? Topamax is often called "dopamax" because of its effect on memory. I was on it for a bit and yes my working memory was affected.

[Tucson]

I am sorry that you are experiencing this. I go through similar episodes that can last a long time. I hope those drugs was not in part responsible for this. Those are the risks, but I do not think this is the case. This sounds a worse version of what I can go through.

Yes, perhaps you need to change medications in order to fix the concentration problems. Of course, the problem is that if your current cocktail is effective and keeps you stable, then switching medications may throw you for a loop. So that's a risk you have to consider.

Besides changing medications, you can always ask someone to slow down when talking or ask them to repeat what they just said. Most people don't think twice about that stuff because everyone at some point asks for someone to slow down with talking or ask them to repeat some things they just said, so asking them to do one of those two things isn't that unreasonable. (I'm not saying you think it's unreasonable, but I'm just making a statement.)

Also, I don't know if this applies to you, but I have a desk job, and whenever people at work tell me something, I ask for them to send it as a text message or an email. So if you have a job -- or just friends who you like to text -- just politely say, "Can you send me an email or text so that I don't forget?" I haven't run into a single person who's gotten upset or bothered by the fact I asked them to send me an email or text. They usually say, "oh, sure. Not a problem."

[wiretwister]

I suffer from this also and have many periods of no memory (some periods of my past are a total blank ) , I blame the bp meds , , , , ,

[Fuzzybear]

I also think asking them to send an email or text is a good idea

meds? no idea