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Can't seem to get into a movie or a book....just can't concentrate. I do ok with tv shows but at times even that doesn't hold my attention.
I tend to think it medication related, I take so many, 4 psych meds.
But just a few months ago I was reading several books a week....miss that. Anyone ever lose concentration skills?
Yes, periodically. I finally realized there was usually some especially stressful or emotional situation going on at the time. Something that shook up the day-to-day "steady state" I'd learned to expect and count on. As if a portion of the mental energy "bank account" I could normally draw upon to focus on something had gotten derailed, sidetracked. When the situation resolved itself or got diffused enough to become background noise again, I found my concentration came back. I used to fight this, trying to force myself to keep focusing, but it never really worked that well. Once I let it drop, allowed myself to drift more for the time being, it seemed to help. Sometimes that would help clarify just what was causing the inability to concentrate. Let it come closer to the surface if that makes any sense.
Going through something like this at the moment due to some bad biopsy results. Unfortunately I've been here before, recognize the emotional signs, and have been in a position to learn that lesson. If it means TV is the only way to make time tolerable, so be it. There are certainly worse ways to spend the time. I could be standing on the side of a road threatening drivers instead of watching Turner Classic Movie channel broadcast of old Joan Crawford melodramas. Thank goodness they hadn't scheduled a bunch of foreign language films with tiny illegible subtitles!
Last edited by Parnassia; 09-01-2018 at 12:05 PM..
Yes, periodically. I finally realized there was usually some especially stressful or emotional situation going on at the time. Something that shook up the day-to-day "steady state" I'd learned to expect and count on. As if a portion of the mental energy "bank account" I could normally draw upon to focus on something had gotten derailed, sidetracked. When the situation resolved itself or got diffused enough to become background noise again, I found my concentration came back. I used to fight this, trying to force myself to keep focusing, but it never really worked that well. Once I let it drop, allowed myself to drift more for the time being, it seemed to help. Sometimes that would help clarify just what was causing the inability to concentrate. Let it come closer to the surface if that makes any sense.
Going through something like this at the moment due to some bad biopsy results. Unfortunately I've been here before, recognize the emotional signs, and have been in a position to learn that lesson. If it means TV is the only way to make time tolerable, so be it. There are certainly worse ways to spend the time. I could be standing on the side of a road threatening drivers instead of watching Turner Classic Movie channel broadcast of old Joan Crawford melodramas. Thank goodness they hadn't scheduled a bunch of foreign language films with tiny illegible subtitles!
So you watched Joan on TCM last night too!
Sorry for your test results, it's disheartening, I know. Hope that all can work out for you....waiting is so hard.
lol, yes tv is better than beating the window of a bus with a tire iron!
I know how to just let it surface....will do. Might not change anything but I'll be more conscious of what's going on...
Have a pleasant evening....might be back on TCM tonight, who knows...
Sorry for your test results, it's disheartening, I know. Hope that all can work out for you....waiting is so hard.
Yep. There are reasons the classics are the classics. They fill a need, no matter how superficial. Could have been worse. Like 24 hours of Broadway musicals. No way that would have been bearable! Watching people pretend to be happy, interrupting the storyline with singing and dancing. Bleh. Have to admit that TCM is "there for you no matter what."
Thank you for the kind thoughts. I am not waiting...I know. The distraction is over what step to take next, what I really feel the desire to do. Probably a good thing I can't actually arrange anything over the long holiday weekend anyway.
Last edited by Parnassia; 09-01-2018 at 02:01 PM..
Can't seem to get into a movie or a book....just can't concentrate. I do ok with tv shows but at times even that doesn't hold my attention.
I tend to think it medication related, I take so many, 4 psych meds.
But just a few months ago I was reading several books a week....miss that. Anyone ever lose concentration skills?
Sometimes you just need a break....even from things you enjoy. Try something new, and different. Maybe you are just getting bored, with the same old. Get outside for some excerise, stop and smell the flowers
Yep. There are reasons the classics are the classics. They fill a need, no matter how superficial. Could have been worse. Like 24 hours of Broadway musicals. No way that would have been bearable! Watching people pretend to be happy, interrupting the storyline with singing and dancing. Bleh. Have to admit that TCM is "there for you no matter what."
Thank you for the kind thoughts. I am not waiting...I know. The distraction is over what step to take next, what I really feel the desire to do. Probably a good thing I can't actually arrange anything over the long holiday weekend anyway.
Oh, I see....must be hard to come to a health crossroad, forced to make some kind of decision.
Hope the right decision finds the way to you and you can be at peace with it....
Oh, I see....must be hard to come to a health crossroad, forced to make some kind of decision.
Hope the right decision finds the way to you and you can be at peace with it....
I hope you find relief from this soon. I can definitely relate. I used to spend all my free time reading. It was my favorite activity and favorite way to avoid other responsibilities. Nothing made me happier!
Now, I'm lucky to pick up a book at all, let alone finish it. Maybe mention it next time you visit your doctor. Your meds might need adjusting.
I hope you find relief from this soon. I can definitely relate. I used to spend all my free time reading. It was my favorite activity and favorite way to avoid other responsibilities. Nothing made me happier!
Now, I'm lucky to pick up a book at all, let alone finish it. Maybe mention it next time you visit your doctor. Your meds might need adjusting.
Yeah....we adjusted last time so I could focus better....it's one particular med that seems to do it.
Yeah....we adjusted last time so I could focus better....it's one particular med that seems to do it.
Hmmm. Bummer that the adjustment didn't help. I don't know what your particular struggle(s) is, but I felt significantly better on Adderall vs. Vyvanse as far as being able to enjoy "down" time activities. I am able to focus on what I need to at the time, don't too often fall into hyper-fixation in a debilitating way, and my sleep and anxiety are both well controlled. I've found the medicine sweet spot in that my quality of life is what it should be.
Medications can be such a double-edged sword and adjusting to changes even more so! I wish you luck. I had it relatively easy in that we settled on a dose + frequency within 6 months. Apparently, that's pretty fast for these things.
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