[x123]

This morning I am having trouble getting anything accomplished because I keep finding myself with a blank mind staring at things. I'm not thinking about anything. It's more like I'm trying to remember what I was thinking. It's hard to get out of that state and then I slide back into it again a few minutes later.

Is this depression? Normally when I'm depressed I feel unhappy like I wish I could die and I have trouble making decisions because everything seems to have negative results. This continual zoning-out isn't unpleasant except that I have things I need to do.

I had a psychotic episode in 2008 that I thought only lasted a couple of weeks. I have read that psychosis has negative symptoms that sound similar to this maybe?

Also I've wondered if this zoning out is similar to meditation. The only difference is that during meditation I am intensely aware of every detail, but when I zone-out it's more like being lost in thought except that I'm not thinking about anything.

I hope this is not a stupid question. Does anybody else experience this? Is it depression or negative symptoms of psychosis or normal?

[Altered Moment]

I have heard many people describe what you describe as a symptom of depression for them. It happens sometimes to me but not often. Depression causes a huge loss of concentration for me but not quite to what you say. Some people say they can be that way for an hour or more, just in a catatonic state and not realize it. It doesn't sound like psychosis to me. For me when severely depressed I can tell my brain is so inactive and is just not firing at all like normal.

[x123]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I have heard many people describe what you describe as a symptom of depression for them. It happens sometimes to me but not often. Depression causes a huge loss of concentration for me but not quite to what you say. Some people say they can be that way for an hour or more, just in a catatonic state and not realize it. It doesn't sound like psychosis to me. For me when severely depressed I can tell my brain is so inactive and is just not firing at all like normal.

Thanks, zinco. I wasn't sure if it was depression or not. It actually is somewhat relaxing, but not good when I am supposed to be working I think you are right that it is just another symptom of depression.

[Woman_Overboard]

I often find myself zoning out as well... I think it's almost like a coping mechanism, the mind just blanks itself out when it's overwhelmed. I think the important thing is not to get lost in it (which is hard, because that disconnected feeling hurts a whole hell of a lot less). Try to find something that stimulates your mind in a good way.