Difficulty Concentrating

[SurfingTigress]

Situation: 39yo female, work as a mental health care provider. Major life stressors this year including moving multiple times, divorce process ongoing with safety issues, extreme financial distress, multiple medical issues (both ongoing and new ones), started a business, inconsistent supports, change of medical providers, and had to drop out of PhD due to financial struggles with the divorce.

History: Extensive childhood trauma (various forms), trauma in adult hood, adult ADHD issues (that quite frankly kick my butt!), long history of anxiety and depression with a self harm and suicidal ideation history (none currently). I am immunodeficient due to 2 tick born illnesses, Chronic Lyme, skeletal disorder that impacts my neck and back, chronic pain, multiple surgeries in last 6 years for injuries, migraines from head injury history. Only med I take for mental health is Ritalin for my ADHD, used to be on mental health meds for mood but improved so greatly over time my doctors all insisted I no longer needed them, just my ADHD meds for the issues with focus.

Concern: I CAN'T STAY FOCUSED. I can not seem to keep myself motivated, or focused, on on track, or even complete tasks. I know that people with anxiety and depression and ADHD and Lyme all struggle with this kind of executive dysfunction..... but I am AT A TOTAL LOSS as to what to do at this point. I can't get charting for work done, appts made, bills paid, remember things, manage my finances, reach out to supports, compete a to do list... It just feels like being stuck. I literally sit sometimes for hours and literally accomplish nothing. My life is falling apart around me because I can not get my butt in gear and am at a loss as to what to try.

Seeking: Suggestion.... advice.... help.... ideas.... whatever. I just need to get my life back on track.

[Despondent_Konichiwa]

All of that will destroy a person's ability to stay focused, and their executive functioning in general. My advice is to cut yourself some slack. You might have to do less every day. You might have to leave some things out entirely.

Have some compassion for yourself. Look at all the crap you've been through and deal with today!! That's way more than any human can simply handle like a piece of cake, and have energy leftover when it's all said and done. Heck no.

Look up "life hacks" from people who struggle with similar issues. Pomodoro timing techniques have helped some people. Setting alarms on your phone, taking a moment every morning to write out the things you know you have to do.

For me it is sometimes a matter of discipline: when I think of something that has to get done, WRITE IT DOWN IMMEDIATELY, or set an alarm, or do it immediately, etc.

And ask for help where you can. There's a system for everyone but it takes a while to figure it out, and you'll have to tweak it constantly due to the unpredictability of illness.

Dumb site only allows very short descriptions, and this image has too many words. I'm sor

[I_LOVE_TACOS]

Wow. I can totally relate. I’m going through a divorce, too. My finances are nonexistent. I’ve gotten to where I don’t care about anything but the adhd makes me think about everything!

I take Adderall 30mg in the morning then again at lunch. It not only helps with the adhd, but studies have shown it helps with depression too. I had to ask my practitioner about it in order to have it added to my medications.

Speaking of medications, you need to be on some so you can function and not feel like you’re going crazy. Make an appointment to see a mental health provider and tell them everything you just said. Also, please see a therapist. It’s nice to have someone to talk to that actually knows what you are going through. My therapist made me realize I am not the problem. I breathed a breath of fresh air and felt like that burden was lifted off of me. I had been thinking everything was my fault. She validated my feelings. That gave me a little pep in my step.

Just know you are not alone. We are here to help each other through difficult times. We are family. I wish you the best! 🍀

[Catt02]

OMG, you are very strong! Yes, I have several of those items (below) and ADD (not hyperactive) since childhood. CPTSD from volatile element (brother), Depression/anxiety, social anxiety, and profound grief and guilt.Recent (20+yrs):

• Lost family including brother to suicide

• Surgeries - back, heart (5 bypass), knee and ankle

• S_side ideations, twice attempts, 4 times in locked MH facilities

• loss of career, job, car, rec studio equipment

• Benzodiazepines (Clonazepam) withdrawals - 8 yrs off 30-day rapid-detox.

Still a nightmare: anhedonia, dysphoria, akathisia, insomnia, hyper-sensitivity to stress, intrusive thoughts, depersonalization, derealization, cognitive function impairment, memory loss, inability to focus etc.

I screwed up so many times, carry so many regrets.