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Depression; can't concentrate!??

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Posted 5/26/2005 9:53 AM (GMT -8)

Hi there,

For the past two years I've had a real hard time concentrating on my work (which involves a lot of reading). I literally cannot keep my eyes on the words and I get very mentally exhausted. It has gotten so severe that I feel very sick when I try to mentally focus on anything and I cannot do anything that involves much "thinking" (including writing this message). I have not been able to work now for three months. My doctor has diagnosed it as depression and put me on Effexor XR (venlafaxine), but I do not feel any better. I do not feel "depressed" in the classic sense of the illness, though I do have other symtoms associated with it: aggitation, anxiety (health related), negative thinking mostly.

Has anyone experienced this inability to concentrate themselves??

I would appreciate any help or advice.

J-Dog

Posted 5/26/2005 1:34 PM (GMT -8)
nono  I hate to ask this question, but have you been to see an eye doctor. You know an ophthalmologist? It would seem that you PCP would have the good sense to refer you to one. Some of these medical care providers are nuts! That's like going into a restaurant, ordering a salad and only getting a glass of water. Makes you want to say "thank you and don't expect a tip". Go to an eye doctor please. I have a faily rare condition known ad Deplopia. Most of the members know that as I told them when I was diagnosed. I went to two, one to concur with the other. I see two of everything. You should see these glasses. Now I see one of everything but I can't walk with them on unless I bump into everything and everyone. I can't judge the steps and it's a hoot. Feels like your high, not that I endulge. That was over 35 yrs ago. I have bi-focals to read up close. The "prism" lenses are for seeing distance or when I am on the internet. GO SEE THE EYE DOC!

 

"Lefty"

Posted 5/26/2005 6:09 PM (GMT -8)
Hi J-Dog and Welcome! I've had trouble with the same thing, so I definitely know what your talking about! I used to do crossword puzzles daily and read the paper from one end to the other, plus read a lot of fictional paperback books. Since I've had the depression and been on med.'s for it ( I don't really recall what occured first), but I just can't concentrate on those things anymore! And I'm sorry to admit, I've never even mentioned it to my Dr., with other health issues being in the forefront. Maybe someone else here could help explain it to both of us. 'The inability to concentrate long enough to read'...

Best wishes, Teri :)
Posted 5/27/2005 12:44 AM (GMT -8)
I LOVE to read - always have -

but I am also ADD and just turned 45.

I've been nearsighted since childhood, that is, i need my glasses for distance vision and driving - seeing blackboards, reading signs, etc. But out of habit, I also wore my glasses all the time. I never had a problem reading or seeing close things thru them.

Recently, I have noticed that often, especially if the light is poor or at the end of a long day, I can't focus on close things with my glasses on. I have to take them OFF to read, and even then, I have to concentrate really hard, or the words start to 'swim'. this makes it really tough to read and comprehend, even though I often read for pleasure, it's taken all the 'fun' out of it, unless my eyes are rested, the light good and it doesn't take too much effort. I do notice that it's harder to read things like my son's textbooks than, say, a novel. that things that are more 'interesting' and take less 'concentration' for me, anyway - are easier for me to read.

I have asked my eye Doctor about bi-focals, and he said i don't need them - yet - but that was last fall, and I'm thinking of asking again....

But the other thing that occurs to me, is that perhaps you've reached a 'burnout' point with your job? even a job you like, can get tedious at times - and combined with the depression, might be enough to 'create' a reason for your body to refuse to do 'work' that deep down - you no longer enjoy.

I would have your eyes checked to rule out any damage or need for correction - but I would also talk to your Dr about the burnout factor....

laura
Posted 5/27/2005 2:30 PM (GMT -8)

Hi guys,

I went through a really really bad spell in the Winter of 2004. I couldn't concentrate and I had big memory problems, which was a big deal because I'm in graduate school. The worst part was a Statistics class I was taking. It was basically a review of stuff I had to do when taking a much more difficult stats class when I was getting my Master's Degree. I only took it because I needed a few credits in quantitative research methods. So, I shouldn't have had trouble with this class. But, it was impossible because I couldn't concentrate at all. I would look at the book and then look at my homework paper and in the split second that it took to switch my gaze, I would lose the information. Same thing with tasks like writing down a phone number or date. The information would just vanish. I had to withdraw from the class. My psyche nurse didn't change my medication (if I remember correctly) but what did help was just having a little time in my schedule freed-up. I was a full-time grad student, I was teaching in my dept., and was working 20 hours/week. I ramped everything down a notch, took a 2 hour nap every day, etc. It improved after about 6-9 months.

Posted 5/27/2005 2:44 PM (GMT -8)
hi j-dog,

i have had depression for a few months now and one of the main effects is my loss of mental functions
such as concentration when reading, not being able to perform simple analysis/logical tasks etc . When
it gets really bad, the simplest reading becomes impossible - the text seems to blur and i cannot seem
to take in or process any information. I started meds (prozac) just over a month ago and recently my
faculties have started to return (although not quickly enough).

I still can't do my university work, but i am finding that simple things like crosswords and light reading
are now attainable. Maybe starting with simple mental tasks and building them up slowly will help you
regain your concentration. Also i find that if i pressure myself or set myself deadlines this is not helpful.
I find it best to do something that i want to do and hopefully will enjoy enjoy and if i dont complete it,
try not to get down on myself (its really hard when you remember how good you were at something
before and how rubbish you are now).

I'd be interested to hear more about what goes through your mind when your trying to concetrate.
I get manyconflicting thoughts, that destroys my train of thought and sometimes a general mental
'slowness' that freezes my brain.

good luck, best wishes

jimi5

Post Edited (jimi5) : 5/27/2005 4:47:28 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2005 4:41 PM (GMT -8)

I feel like I've had depression my entire life, although this last year it has become really debillitating. My mother passed away last year and it's like I died with her. For the last few months I've been unable to even get out of bed before 2 or 3 in the afternoon Just the thought of getting up brings on severe anxiety attacks. Likewise for going to sleep at night. I'll sit up until 3 or 4 in the morning.

My doctor has put me on an anti-depressant called "Citalopram" but it doesn't seem to be doing any good at all even though he has increased the initial dose.

I hear you regarding the concentration problem - I used to love to read but lately it has been impossible. I feel antsy when I'm trying to sit and concentrate so I just give up. My main activity seems to be just sitting in front of the TV and then I don't even remember half of what I'm watching.

I logged on to this web-site as a last ditch effort to save myself so to speak and saw your posting. I'm hoping that maybe if I make contact with someone who is suffering as I am maybe we can help each other out of this dark hole by sharing our experiences. Any help you can offer would be most welcome.

Terrie

Posted 5/27/2005 7:16 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Terrie!  Welcome to HealingWell! tongue

 

What you have described is exactly how I've felt and I believe this is what J-Dog was trying to explain as well!!  Just this "antsy, can't sit down and concentrate feeling".  (As you said.)

 

First let me give you my condolences in the loss of your Mom.  This is certainly a very tough time for you.  I lost both of my parents within a month of each other this past year as well. They'd both been ill for a long while.  It was still one of the hardest losses I've ever gone through!!

 

I'm so happy that you've found us here and please know that my heart goes out to you, (((Terrie)))!!  Please come back just to talk, or vent anytime-sometimes that helps more than you know! tongue

 

Best wishes and Big Hugs, Teri

Posted 6/5/2005 5:21 AM (GMT -8)
sad  Hello SC

Thank you for your message - Your reaching out to me meant a lot. I don't go on my computer very often - sometimes it's just too hard to get up. Part of me really wants help - part of me just wants to lie down and die. The part that wants to live is the one that is  writing to you right now. My E-mail is tcrussell@dccnet.com I am a Canadian living in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia. If you would like to correspond I promise that I will answer you.

Wishing you all the best and again "thanks" for caring, I remain

smurf Terrie
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