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Bipolar Community Bipolar Support Forums General & Support Foggy Brain = Panic
 

Foggy Brain = Panic


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05/27/2008 11:13
JET
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 Hi- I am newly diagnosed as BiPolar, leaning more to the manic phases being just a long panic attack and mostly just long periods of depression and a really short temper. But lately It's getting harder and harder to focus, I just feel "muddy", and I can't get out of my head- then I get weepy because I can't focus and I can't get myself under control. This happens at work. I get stuck in my head, and the confusion and I feel like I am stuck in a fish bowl. Yesterday was good and I was productive- tomorrow I have a huge presentation, and today I can't focus to save my life. I have 6 hours to get my act together and finish a huge project and I can't stop thinking that I am not going to be able to pull it out in time, and I must be a huge idiot. Then it turns into a personal attack on every part of my personality- why do I do that?
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05/27/2008 11:53
norma
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 Dear Jet....Focusing is a problem especially before the meds take effect. There are places here where people describe having an episode like it is a seizure. Until you stabilize your concentration may not but, what you are used to it being. Beating yourself up and getting frustrated is not going to help. Accepting that right now you are having concentration problems and taking things slowly might help. I have been there and i know how hard it is. My son, who usually can do his job quickly and efficiently took an hour to do what would have normally taken him a few minutes. His concentration was shot. After several weeks on the meds there was gradual impovement until finally he is perfectly fine now. I am afraid there is no rushing the meds working. It takes some time, weeks.

Please call your doctor and let him/her know that you are having some difficulty with concenration. An adjustment in meds may be needed.

Also, are you getting enough sleep? Not getting rest can make us irritable and have concentration problems....

"In the time of your life, live-so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but, shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it." William Saroyan
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05/27/2008 12:47
JET
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 I always get at least 8 hours of sleep, but it is still hard to get out of bed in the morning. I am only on week two of Lamictal- so I am on the lowest dose. My psychiatric appt. is next Monday to evaluate. I have been having panick attacks at work every time I have to present something in front of a group- then my brain shuts down and I start to stutter. It's like my brain freezes and I forget what words to use! It's very frustrating, and my self-confidence is shot! Has anyone ever been on Clonazepam? My family doc prescribed it and I haven't filled it yet because Xanax sometimes makes me suicidal.....

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05/27/2008 13:21
rediscoveringme
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 I would share your worries with your doctor and you pharmasist. If you are worried and you are told you have to take it let loved ones know about your concern as well. If at all possible and you can try to have someone around to "keep an eye out for you" so you have added comfort. Don't just jump into it make sure all your doctors sre on the same page. Most of all stay faithful to the support group so we can help you too. I sincerly hope it all works out for you. Also I was having the same problems and explained the sleeping to my doctor. I thought I was getting enough sleep but I always woke up tired and with a sore throat. After persistance and complaint my doctor set me up for sleep study and I found out I had sleep apnea. It could just be something as simple as the way you position yourself, being careful of what you eat or watch on tv before sleeping, even trying to think posotive before sleeping. Not saying that that is what is wrong with you but it may be something that simple. Maybe you are just overloading yourself. Just a couple of things that helped me.

As far as the concentration goes I here you loud and clear. I have the same problems. I usually break things down into small tasks and try not to overload myself. Small breaks in between often help. Deep breathing excersises help too. Feeling overwhelmed can be a real bugger but it will take time. Communication lines must stay open with your doctors. Most of all the world has been blessed with every face that smiles upon the world. It can be hard at times to smile but force yoursefl to look at the brighter side of each thing. Every person you come into conntact in life has had the chance to meet you and know you are a good person just trying to be happy. So keep up the thought we hope you come to us for help because we all consider you as a new friend.

Life is the hardest test a person has. There's no retakes and there's no erasers. So you have to just do you best.
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05/27/2008 13:39
JET
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 Thanks- staying positive has always been a challenge for me- I have usually been a "glass half empty" kind of girl. But I also realzed that I drank 3 cups of coffee today and I was WIRED earlier! My doc told me that caffeine triggers panic attacks, but it is so hard to give up coffee! I switched to herbal tea an hour ago so I don't feel like I am having a heart attack anymore.

I have been binge eating before bed lately- I just want to chain smoke and eat like crazy! Then the next day my stomach is a nightmare!

This weekend I threw away my stash of pills (prescriptions that I stopped but kept)because I use them like a safety blanket- I knew I was holding onto the suicidal thoughts so I thought I'd get rid of the temptation.

With another script I am just afraid that like all antideppresants I'll fall apart.
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05/27/2008 13:43
rediscoveringme
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 Great that you threw away the pills. I can get out of coffee either so I swithed to half the caffine then to decaff. Not so bad though. Chocolate is a big trigger too. I have found that out the hard way!!lol

Sometimes we just can't stay away from what ails us I guess. Anywho I get overwhelmed like that too. My husband says with the bipolar and coffee I'd make a killing as an auctoineer!

Life is the hardest test a person has. There's no retakes and there's no erasers. So you have to just do you best.
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05/27/2008 13:48
JET
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 Giving up chocolate and coffee is depressing! LOL But coffee is harder for me. I have been only dring 1/2 caff, but I guess 3 cups was too much- oops.

I wouldn't be able to auctioneer (I get performance anxiety in front of groups of people)but I can do detailed work, like beadwork for 8 hours straight when I'm all hopped up on caffeine-



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06/02/2008 08:32
rediscoveringme
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 God bless you my eyes would get crossed! I would need bottled bottmed trifocals to just think about it. I admire you for that. How's things going with the new meds? As far as performance anxiaety just do what I do.

I imagine evyone as little bugs I can squash if they get me mad. lol Just kidding I remember that they are people like me and I tale a deep breathe and do my best. Pick a focal point and stare over their heads. Not hard in my case cause most of what I say goes over them anyway. Hope all is good for you.

Life is the hardest test a person has. There's no retakes and there's no erasers. So you have to just do you best.
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