Can't concentrate on anything

Hey there

As it says in the title, I got problems concentrating on anything. For a long time now.
While drawing, while studying or sometimes conversations even.

When I sit down and start working on a drawing my brain just goes to other thoughts. Which means that while I draw and should be thinking about what I am drawing, my brain just thinks about other stuff. I tried to always tell myself when I drifted off, that I am not there I am here now!

But I always realize it way too late and in matter of seconds my brain just jumps the on to the next thought train to elsewhere.

There are moments when I get fully concentrated but they have become so rare, like maybe 2 times a month. The rest of the time is just pure chaos.

And then there are moments where everything just seems to be too much for my brain to handle and I get I hard time following anything that is goin on around me.

My brain just can't seem to stay with things that lack a certain colorfulness or volume. Though that would probably wear me out after a few minutes(too loud noises I mean).

I can't really sit still anymore either. I am always doing some sort of movement or I bite my nails or bite my lip.

I really need to more focused as exams are around to corner. So hopefully someone here has advice on how to get my brain under control again.

Thanks for helping in advance

When you say it's been a long time, how long?

I have two thoughts: it could be ADHD or depression. When I'm in a depressive episode, it's like my mind is foggy and I can't focus or remember anything. So if it comes and goes, it could be depression.

If it's a constant thing that you've had since you were a kid, it could be ADHD.

Either way, you'll need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. There are medications that can help. With my meds, I can hold down a full time job.

Yeah I was going to say sounds like a conversation for a doctor. I mean I can relate .

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I take antidepressants 30mg citalopram. Had depressive episodes all over childhood until I turned 20. My therapist at that time could not give me a diagnosis because my symptoms were too wide spread.
I am actually good right now but those problems are still there. But I guess, that talking to a doctor about it would be the better choice. I already looked into few around my area. Even if it is not adhd or depression, maybe she can help me get my brain in order again.
Thanks for the help though

Yeah, I thought about going there a lot these last few years but I always backed out of it because I never felt like it would be something worth talking about to a doctor too.

Thanks for taking the time to answer

i can relate a bit to what you write here at least. i agree with the other wise and wonderful posters to talk about this to a professional doctor and that it may possibly be a case of adhdh. However i am not a professional doctor so take that with a grain fo salt. Definitely consult with someone else. Hopefully you find the answers you want to know. Sending many Safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @Whereto52, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

I like the idea of making these distinctions like you did it.

It's true with ADHD that it's from childhood as it's simply a differently wired brain. And I've heard before that with depression people experience a fog like that. I think I only ever experienced that kind of fog for like an hour or two before I snapped out of it because I got angry because it was so NOT me.

So I am wondering what other categories are there for concentration problems. Because mine seems to be in a third category. It's caused by cPTSD so I wonder if there's some knowledge out there on a cPTSD variant of concentration problems. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Though mine is almost resolved, it's improved a lot over several years...

Although I don't have personal experience with it, I bet conditions like anxiety and PTSD can cause that brain fog too.

Yep I have ptsd and I have that

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I went through some time when I couldn't concentrate on anything. I thought maybe reading could help with it. And I think it did. I also thought journaling, but that was no good for me.

When it gets bad, I can't focus enough to read. It's frustrating, because I love to read.

That "friend" had that issue too. I shouldn't have thought of her though from this lol

(We talked about her in chat)

I have CPTSD, ADHD, and bipolar 1. Of the three, I think when I'm manic is when I am most restless and can't concentrate on anything. I pick up a book, 5 minutes later I put it back down. I go to the store and turn around and leave because I can't remember what I came to get. When the mania passes, it gets much better. I take Adderall and multiple medications for my CPTSD and bipolar 1. I may need to up my lithium and ketamine. It's always a crap shoot trying to find what works best, at least for me. I personally have never experienced a fog but then mine is severe and treatment resistant so that could explain it. I do however experience dissociation.

I have to agree with the others that you need to see a doctor and get evaluated. Smartest thing I ever did.