Hi everyone, I'm currently suffering through a bad bout with my anxiety issues. I've been having major brain fog, memory and concentration problems (along with countless other anxiety symptoms). I've been struggling with work since my job involves a lot of thinking and I feel like I'm barely getting by since I have such a hard time concentrating and even speaking (and typing)! Everything feels like a struggle now and it's very embarassing since my mind used to be so sharp and now I can barely function and express myself.
It's been so many months now that I'm worried that this brain fog won't ever go away. I need some reassurance from those of you out there that have been there before. Please tell me these brain problems go away and are not permanent!! Will it just magically go away once I get the anxiety under control? The longer this goes on, the more worried I am that it won't go away.
Does the brain fog go away?
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Guest
The brain fog will go away once you get your anxiety under control!!!
I was agoraphobic for 21 years of my life, lived in a constant state of panic, accompanied by depression.
I did the program, used the tools and took action.
When you are depressed and anxious, your concentration and memory suffer deeply!!!
This is normal and nothing to worry about!!!
I suggest that you read the posting which I posted under the "General Sections" part of this forum.
I, then, suggest that you watch the video posted directly below the first posting!!!
The name of the first posting is "Hello Everyone"...I posted it to give everyone and idea what the second posting was about, and how to get the most out of it!!
The second posting which is directly under the "Hello Everyone" posting is a video which I posted called "Overcoming a Panic Attack"
This is much more than just some video. It actually teaches you how to relax during those anxious moments, as well as, those panic attacks...
It is very good for stress, and all types of things!!! I am sure if watched on a constant basis, that this video will lower than anxiety pretty fast, and help you to overcome those panic attacks!!!!
Bottom line, it is very therapeutic!!!
I pray that you feel better soon!!! God Bless
I was agoraphobic for 21 years of my life, lived in a constant state of panic, accompanied by depression.
I did the program, used the tools and took action.
When you are depressed and anxious, your concentration and memory suffer deeply!!!
This is normal and nothing to worry about!!!
I suggest that you read the posting which I posted under the "General Sections" part of this forum.
I, then, suggest that you watch the video posted directly below the first posting!!!
The name of the first posting is "Hello Everyone"...I posted it to give everyone and idea what the second posting was about, and how to get the most out of it!!
The second posting which is directly under the "Hello Everyone" posting is a video which I posted called "Overcoming a Panic Attack"
This is much more than just some video. It actually teaches you how to relax during those anxious moments, as well as, those panic attacks...
It is very good for stress, and all types of things!!! I am sure if watched on a constant basis, that this video will lower than anxiety pretty fast, and help you to overcome those panic attacks!!!!
Bottom line, it is very therapeutic!!!
I pray that you feel better soon!!! God Bless
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Guest
needtogetbetter ..... I know how you feel and what you are saying..I used to describe the brainfog as flying in a huge turbulant cloud with no direction on how to get out.. And yes, it is scary..
I remember when I felt this way I couldn't focus on work, I would have to go outside in the fresh air and wonder what was wrong with me.
I went on medication after seeing the dr as she diagnosed me with sever depression and it helped me to get my mind straight but remember, medication is usually only a "band aid" solution. It is your thought process that gets you to where you are. You need to change your way of thinking to get on the road to success. This program changed my life soooo much for the better. I trust and hope you have it.
Rest assured the fog will clear to blue sky's
I remember when I felt this way I couldn't focus on work, I would have to go outside in the fresh air and wonder what was wrong with me.
I went on medication after seeing the dr as she diagnosed me with sever depression and it helped me to get my mind straight but remember, medication is usually only a "band aid" solution. It is your thought process that gets you to where you are. You need to change your way of thinking to get on the road to success. This program changed my life soooo much for the better. I trust and hope you have it.
Rest assured the fog will clear to blue sky's
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Guest
Thanks everyone for your responses and support. It's always nice to know that we're not the only ones that have these weird problems (although it feels like it at times). I've been noticing that I alternate between the brain fog and the nausea (I don't seem to have both at the same time, which I suppose I should be grateful for). I haven't found anything to relieve either of those problems.
I did buy the program many years ago and went through some of it again recently and everything really makes sense to me however I have a really hard time with lesson 3 on positive thinking and compassionate self talk. I think that part of my problem is that when I have a panic attack I actually faint (vasovagal reaction and low blood pressure). Now, I'm so scared of fainting (or having to lay down because it's coming) that I'm afraid all the time. If I wouldn't have that reaction I'm thinking that I could talk myself out of it with breathing etc like the video that Ms. T Bones posted and like the program teaches us. It doesn't help that Lucinda kept saying in week 2 that you won't faint because of anxiety because I actually do!...so I feel like a bit of an oddball since I seem to have this additional problem that others don't have. When I do have a panic episode, my brain fog is considerably worse than usual for the rest of the day and I usually have to nap or something to shake it off.
I'm currently on a very low dose of Lexapro and it doesn't seem to be helping much (higher doses didn't seem to do much either). My doctor wants me to try Paxil next but I'm not convinced that it will work any differently.
I'd really like to hear from someone else that has similar experiences since this is very draining and starting to drag down my self confidence! I know this started with just anxiety but the longer it goes on, the more depressed I'm starting to feel.
I did buy the program many years ago and went through some of it again recently and everything really makes sense to me however I have a really hard time with lesson 3 on positive thinking and compassionate self talk. I think that part of my problem is that when I have a panic attack I actually faint (vasovagal reaction and low blood pressure). Now, I'm so scared of fainting (or having to lay down because it's coming) that I'm afraid all the time. If I wouldn't have that reaction I'm thinking that I could talk myself out of it with breathing etc like the video that Ms. T Bones posted and like the program teaches us. It doesn't help that Lucinda kept saying in week 2 that you won't faint because of anxiety because I actually do!...so I feel like a bit of an oddball since I seem to have this additional problem that others don't have. When I do have a panic episode, my brain fog is considerably worse than usual for the rest of the day and I usually have to nap or something to shake it off.
I'm currently on a very low dose of Lexapro and it doesn't seem to be helping much (higher doses didn't seem to do much either). My doctor wants me to try Paxil next but I'm not convinced that it will work any differently.
I'd really like to hear from someone else that has similar experiences since this is very draining and starting to drag down my self confidence! I know this started with just anxiety but the longer it goes on, the more depressed I'm starting to feel.
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Guest
I have the same brain fog and have been troubled lately with it as well.
I am a full time student and also work part time and this quarter I ended up having to drop all of my classes because I couldn't focus enough to barely read a sentence out of a book, let alone do homework or take an exam.
I think this is the worst of anxiety honestly. Like you said, it causes me to become more and more depressed every day. More often than not I feel like I can't think clearly enough to even have a conversation with someone. This has affected my relationships as well.
I wish I had advice for you, but it is a little reassuring to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. I try to explain to the people close to me what it's like and no one seems to understand or maybe they don't want to understand.
I am a full time student and also work part time and this quarter I ended up having to drop all of my classes because I couldn't focus enough to barely read a sentence out of a book, let alone do homework or take an exam.
I think this is the worst of anxiety honestly. Like you said, it causes me to become more and more depressed every day. More often than not I feel like I can't think clearly enough to even have a conversation with someone. This has affected my relationships as well.
I wish I had advice for you, but it is a little reassuring to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. I try to explain to the people close to me what it's like and no one seems to understand or maybe they don't want to understand.
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Guest
Hi needtogetbetter, you're not alone. I know exactly how you feel. I just started a new job last week. I haven't had a solid, full-time job since last summer when I was let go from a company 25 days into my employment. It's a long story but I would say 15% was my fault and 85% was the company's. It was a horrible experience and on top of that they let me go right before I could collect unemployment. It was only by the grace of God that I was able to sustain myself all this time without a full-time job. But... I just got a really good job and I am so anxious that the same scenario is going to happen again. Same type of company, but this new company is VERY employee-friendly, which is in direct contrast with the last company.
The 15% that I was telling you about is my brain fogginess, anxiety, and social phobia. I can relate to the feeling of inadequacy, feeling "dumb", shell-shocked, speechless, deer in the head-lights glare, etc. I notice that it flares up within me in the hallways at work when I stop to talk to someone. The hallways are really narrow and the offices are really close, and the walls are paper thin. So I clam up, loose my train of thought, get speechless, and sound "dumb" when I'm really pretty smart. I just have a hard time expressing myself around people I don't know (and sometimes around people I know). I have all sorts of weird phobias. One is my voice. I have a resounding, deep voice (at least I think I do) and when I talk I feel like the world can hear me... so I tend to trail off when I talk because I'm thinking that everyone is listening and it makes me look weird. So the more it happens the less I talk (the more I shoot myself down). Also, we share offices and my anxiety flares up there as well. My main problem in the office is "everyone can hear me" so I don't want to "mess up" (I've REALLY messed up before) so I don't talk that much.
I know this sounds really complex or deep but it's what I'm going through and I'm not ashamed to talk about it anymore. I need help because it is has been changing my life for the worst! Does anyone deal with this?
The 15% that I was telling you about is my brain fogginess, anxiety, and social phobia. I can relate to the feeling of inadequacy, feeling "dumb", shell-shocked, speechless, deer in the head-lights glare, etc. I notice that it flares up within me in the hallways at work when I stop to talk to someone. The hallways are really narrow and the offices are really close, and the walls are paper thin. So I clam up, loose my train of thought, get speechless, and sound "dumb" when I'm really pretty smart. I just have a hard time expressing myself around people I don't know (and sometimes around people I know). I have all sorts of weird phobias. One is my voice. I have a resounding, deep voice (at least I think I do) and when I talk I feel like the world can hear me... so I tend to trail off when I talk because I'm thinking that everyone is listening and it makes me look weird. So the more it happens the less I talk (the more I shoot myself down). Also, we share offices and my anxiety flares up there as well. My main problem in the office is "everyone can hear me" so I don't want to "mess up" (I've REALLY messed up before) so I don't talk that much.
I know this sounds really complex or deep but it's what I'm going through and I'm not ashamed to talk about it anymore. I need help because it is has been changing my life for the worst! Does anyone deal with this?