I'm certain I'm not the only one that experiences a decline in ability to focus while dealing with depression. For the past year, I haven't been able to enjoy normal hobbies like reading and writing because a) I don't have any creativity or focus for writing and b) reading a paragraph over and over and still not having it sink in is not conducive to actually reading a novel. It's not that I haven't tried either repeatedly too...

Even coming on the boards can be a challenge - I drift off in the middle of reading a post and can't reply without sounding terribly uninformed or like I wasn't paying attention.

I hate feeling this way and to be honest, it's affecting my work.

Does anyone have any tactics for increasing one's ability to focus in a depressive state? I've tried things like meditation, music, no music, quiet surroundings, etc. Nothing seems to work thus far...

[Rohag]

Yes, this is a big problem. I've no magic formulas, but, for me, working on getting enough good quality sleep and keeping the anxiety in check help create an environment where limited periods of greater focus are more likely.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by FrightenedRabbit

Does anyone have any tactics for increasing one's ability to focus in a depressive state? I've tried things like meditation, music, no music, quiet surroundings, etc. Nothing seems to work thus far...

I do not have any tips other than treating the depression. Depression causes cognitive decline (luckily, it is temporary). So that is one thing. Another thing is that depression manifests itself in rumination - you think and think about your problems and to read a novel, you need to focus on the plot, narrative, details, etc. For that, your mind needs to be available. Rumination closes this up.

[cool09]

Easily distractable and poor concentration are symptoms of several disorders. I've always had problems socializing (loose my train of thought, go off on tangents, can't put thoughts together). Socializing is like lifting weights for me. Had trouble one semester in college taking tests because of others making noise and I failed a couple classes.

Paxil gave me a boost in late 90's, got off SSDI and started working FT then symptoms came back few yrs later, went back on SSDI. Presently ritalin has really helped to decrease my irritability/agitation and increase concentration. Actually got thru a meal with family last weekend w/o losing concentration and/or becoming irritable and feeling drained. First time that's happened in yrs.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by cool09

Easily distractable and poor concentration are symptoms of several disorders. I've always had problems socializing (loose my train of thought, go off on tangents, can't put thoughts together).

Agreed, it can be many things.

However, since OP said: "I'm certain I'm not the only one that experiences a decline in ability to focus while dealing with depression.", OP's problem is most likely due to temporary depression(s) rather than a continuously present underlying condition. So OP's situation hardly calls for Ritalin.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

So OP's situation hardly calls for Ritalin.

I agree. And I refuse to jump on to some medication simply because I can't pay attention to a novel. I went through twenty one years of education (including my undergrad and post-grad work) with no concerns - even as I dealt with the death of my father and countless other issues that really shouldn't have been mine to contend with in the first place.

I suppose I'm just looking for verification that this isn't the end of the line for me; that this effect is temporary. It seems to be a "depends on" case, which I will hope is the same for me. I miss reading...I used to devour books. Now it seems like I can't even get past the first few pages...

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by FrightenedRabbit

I agree. And I refuse to jump on to some medication simply because I can't pay attention to a novel. I went through twenty one years of education (including my undergrad and post-grad work) with no concerns - even as I dealt with the death of my father and countless other issues that really shouldn't have been mine to contend with in the first place.

I suppose I'm just looking for verification that this isn't the end of the line for me; that this effect is temporary. It seems to be a "depends on" case, which I will hope is the same for me. I miss reading...I used to devour books. Now it seems like I can't even get past the first few pages...

It is not the end of life. I went through the same amount of school as you did - twenty years. I still cannot read novels but at least I read this board which is basically a collection of short stories. Plus, on here you get to write, too, so I think it is a good way to get back into reading novels. Bit by bit...

I took LSAT many years ago when I was a fresh immigrant from a non-English speaking country. I took it without going to prep classes after several weeks of taking sample tests by myself, without any prep books or anything. I scored in the 97th percentile.

Almost a year ago, right after my last suicidal depression (well, right after the suicidal part but well within the still depressed part), I took a few sample tests. Since LSAT is very English-intensive, one would expect me to score BETTER after almost 20 years in America. Well...

I scored slightly above the median.

The IQ does decline over the years, but not drastically - the expected decline in the IQ cannot explain the drop from the 97th percentile to just above the median.

So, either depression or depression plus side effects of medications.