I can't focus. How do I build my concentration when I am depressed?

[Crypts_Of_The_Mind]

Will you accept answers on this thread even if they aren't ones you like to hear or don't agree with?

Originally Posted by Crypts_Of_The_Mind

Will you accept answers on this thread even if they aren't ones you like to hear or don't agree with?

Hi Crypts Of The Mind, are you trying to call me out on one bad night I had, or are you asking because you want to answer my original question? I am here to talk about lack of concentration due to depression, not dig up past hurts. If my past actions are impeding on the conversation I desire to have, I will understand and respond to you accordingly, over PM.

Since the thread was deleted, we should move this to PM if you still want to discuss it with me. Please send me a message if so.

Regular exercise has been proven to help with concentration, among other things. It definitely helps me out in that department, and with mood in general. If you're ever looking for workout recommendations, feel free to shoot me a PM. There are many workouts on the internet for free.

[MickeyCheeky]

I have the same struggle.. I'm with you.

[Crypts_Of_The_Mind]

Originally Posted by emptynightmare

Hi Crypts Of The Mind, are you trying to call me out on one bad night I had, or are you asking because you want to answer my original question? I am here to talk about lack of concentration due to depression, not dig up past hurts. If my past actions are impeding on the conversation I desire to have, I will understand and respond to you accordingly, over PM.

Since the thread was deleted, we should move this to PM if you still want to discuss it with me. Please send me a message if so.

I'm not trying to call you out but rather make sure this post was indeed a post open for discussion before I answered you. There are several things I know. If you want more detail on any, I will be happy to provide.

Exercise
Certain foods
Certain types of brain exercises (lumosity.com is wonderful if you can afford it)
Essential oils (there are a few)
Nature or classical music

There are others, but those are the ones I can back

Journaling is a good way to get things out if needed too.



Just so you are aware though, back when that particular post was made I reached out to you in a way that was offering both empathy and help but you never responded. I have never communicated with you so all I know of you is a post that appeared to be one in which you would have preferred to just be able to vent rather than receive advice, and you preferring not to respond to my pm. As a result, I asked you here, on this post, to be sure I was responded to before I answered.

Take care.

[avlady]

Concentrating is the worst problem i have. i had several head injuries and am trying to go back to school online, but am finding it difficult to do because of poor concentration.oh well i'll have to see how i can do it once school starts.

[jmariah001]

I use to love to read but can't anymore because of poor concentration. I use journaling to try and help but so far it hasn't done much.

[Sunflower123]

I hope some of the suggestions here help your concentration. Sending big hugs.

[dexter]

Practicing Mindfulness helped me with my concentration but it took some time and practice. With practice I was able to become effective at work again. My biggest problem with concentration was anxiety getting in the way of concentrating and that's where the mindfulness helped me. Good luck with your concentration.

Thank you all for your responses. I don't have much to add at this moment, but am working on applying some of these methods, especially mindfulness and exercise. I think avoidance of tasks is a problem for me too, and hopefully being in the moment will help me to stop thinking about other things instead of the task at hand and keep anxiety at bay.

I've been pretty productive today, and I think that is because I have been organizing my thoughts on paper more. I think I'll try to use mindfulness to stay in the moment as I go to practice my music. Thanks again to all.

[casey1231]

I am experiencing difficulting concentrating right now too. I try to take it easy, stay well hydrated, go for a walk, play stupid games online, watch a dumb movie, and am seeing my doc tomorrow to discuss this symptom which I believe is a symptom of depression. Hope you feel better soon.

Originally Posted by casey1231

I am experiencing difficulting concentrating right now too. I try to take it easy, stay well hydrated, go for a walk, play stupid games online, watch a dumb movie, and am seeing my doc tomorrow to discuss this symptom which I believe is a symptom of depression. Hope you feel better soon.

What did your doctor say?

I find what you said interesting, because when I have trouble focusing, I sometimes say to myself, "stay with it for a while," and I will sit with my homework for a while, but my mind usually implodes. I'll obsessively check my phone, etc. I think it's because my mind has been stuck in a loop, trained by trichotillomania. My hope is that by using mindfulness, I can stop that, and actually focus.

It occurs to me, though, that I can't see myself taking it easy like you just mentioned. I think, with exception to watching a movie, I would implode again--I'd hate myself for not sitting with the task at hand, then jump from activity to activity in an attempt to go easy because of m shame and anxiety.

Do you find that taking it easy helps? I find that removing myself from the task makes me forget everything about it, and then I have to start from scratch. I either do this, or I frenetically jump from step to step within a task (like multitasking: washing one dish, putting clothes into laundry, washing another dish, forgetting what I'm doing all together, take some effort to remember (in essence redoing the previous steps in my head), setting the laundry settings, washing another dish, starting the laundry...) and somehow cobble together an end result. It's not pretty. My inability to be methodical makes me hate everything I do. I worry that I've missed something crucial. I also can't focus on checking my work.... It seems I can't win any way. It's either too much or too little, or my mind explodes, or I forget....

[continuosly blue]

Depression can do a lot more than just make you feel bad. Lack of concentration is one of the symptoms. I have the exact same problem. Drives me nuts ! Will start one task , do a little, stop and go on to something else. Come to think of it , there are so many things that I never finished! And my life has been haphazard because of this. Also very forgetful. Like I've posted elsewhere, mindfulness, for me, has been very helpfully in keeping my mind in the moment so that I can finish something I started. I need to live my life one minute at a time.
I've actually missed many many years because I was just not there! My mind was always ruminating about the past or fearful of the future.

[peanut222]

Hello I have the same problem, especially when it comes to uni work. A change of environment really helps me when I'm struggling to concentrate, one without distractions. If I need to write an essay, I go to the library and sit in the quiet zones, I leave my phone and other distractions in my bag. I can only do my essay at the library, I can't do anything else on my to do list, like tidy my bedroom and if I don't do anything, coming here will be a waste. I usually set myself a goal, an achievable goal. I will get 500 words done today and then I can go home. Other places work too, maybe your back garden. I sometimes use my friends bedroom instead of my own.

Or, if my anxiety is really bad, I set myself 5 minute goals. I will do 5 minutes of work and then take a 10 minute break and repeat - I know this is probably not the most productive method but I find it easier to concentrate for just 5 minutes. I also second the others with practising mindfulness and breathing.

I hope things get better for you!