[ouch]

Why am i so distracted all the time? Have just gotten through a horrible bout of depression (not that it's totally gone) - so now, I'm on celexa... Embarrassing though - I'm so distracted that I have to do simple additions (to figure out a tip) 3x and still get it wrong!! What's wrong with me?

[(JD)]

(((hugs))) It isn't anything "wrong" it just "is." Try to laugh it off some... do what you have to do and go on... hopefully once you're squared away completely, you won't be bothered with such things TC

[LMo]

(( ouch ))

That does sound distressing and I can understand why you are concerned. I think it's worth talking to your pdoc about it; it's possible that Celexa just isn't right for you.

And I'm glad that you're getting out of your bout of depression. That's an accomplishment to be proud of.

[drunksunflower]

Hmmm ... I have the opposite effect (also Celexa).

My cotton wool brain is snapping out of it - I don't need to read something a couple of times before I 'get' it, the cognitive slowing and fuzziness is almost gone.

Maybe you just aren't quite at that stage yet? LMo's advice is sensible ... good luck!

[Juliana]

The Celexa is still pretty new for you, isn't it? That fuzzy brain side effect might get better soon.

I found that I felt quite lethargic the whole time I was on Celexa. I was on it for about 16 months, I think. Initially, I was very brain-foggy, but that got better after a few weeks. I was able to focus and concentrate at work and think clearly, but I had to write myself lots of notes and keep detailed to-do lists because my short-term memory wasn't as sharp as it had been before. The lists were very helpful. I wrote everything down and it kept me on top of things at work.

I found that when I was on my own at home, however, with no specific tasks to focus on and without the pressure of a job to put me in gear, I would just zone out. I thought of Celexa as my "intertia pill" for that reason. I felt like I needed an outside force to snap me out of it and get me in motion. I would be sitting at home and would think of something I needed to do, and then a few minutes later, I would remember that I was going to do it and realize I had forgotten, so I would tell myself to get up and do it, and then a few minutes later, I'd remember again and realize I was still sitting there doing nothing. It was weird and frustrating. I also had a tendency to forget my train of thought sometimes and often didn't finish sentences when I was talking with friends or family. Being at work was quite different, though. I think the energy and activity of the workplace was enough to keep me alert and focused. Celexa's pros outweighed the cons for me (it helped me get over severe agoraphobia and panic attacks). It didn't make me depressed or extremely drowsy like some ADs have. My mood was more positive. I hope it ends up working well for you once you've adjusted to it. Keep us posted.

[drunksunflower]

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Juliana said:

I had to write myself lots of notes and keep detailed to-do lists because my short-term memory wasn't as sharp as it had been before. The lists were very helpful. I wrote everything down and it kept me on top of things at work.

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Unless one loses the list itself :/

Today I lost a whole entire dress, IN a shopping bag. I turned my room upside down before work because I REALLY wanted to wear it.

Found it in the boot of my car, I'd forgotten to take it out on Friday night

But yea I have my Outlook at work set up with as many reminders as I need to. It does help one keep on top of steez.

[Juliana]

LOL. I'm glad you found your dress. I lose things all the time... and I have lost to-do lists too. Oops. I still take notes and I use Outlook and a Palm Pilot at my new job to keep me on top of things. I need to keep everything in my schedule. I rely on those frequent "DING!" reminders or else I will forget something. (I'm on Lexapro now and I find it's giving me similar short-term memory problems to the Celexa.) I also e-mail myself reminders from work about things I need to do when I get home.

[drunksunflower]

I have to add that I am naturally a bit dipsy and tend to do things like misplace the car in the shopping mall car park regardless of my state of mind at the time.

My old roommate still hassles me to death over all the dumb things I did when we lived together. I like to think that I just have more important things going on in my brain.

Sorry ouch just digressing a lil.

[ouch]

I have been on celexa for about a month and a half - not long enough for my fuzzy brain to focus? I have been through hell and back trying to find an AD. I usually get really bad side effects. But right now, even my driving is affected (and i don't really notice unless someone else points it out)... just feel like i can't win. But, on the positive side - not suicidal right now... just worried i'll crash the car or something...

[Loralei]

I am easily distracted too. When I am driving, I have to turn off the radio when navigating in traffic. I can't function when more than one person is talking, and I hate loud noises. Maybe it's more than your meds. I think along w/depression, maybe we have ADD or ADHD?????