Brain fog!

[Hurt&Hopeful]

When I go through high anxiety, I get very disorganized and lose my ability to think things through. The old brain fog. I've been recovering from surgery, so my routine is off, sleep disturbed, work schedule a mess, etc. I'm doing ok with the anxiety now, but I'm pretty worn out physically and emotionally. Had some pretty intense anxiety in the hospital. Now I'm trying to get back into my job - I am working from home. I have this big project I'm supposed to do, and I have a deadline coming, and I just can't get my mind to come into focus. I don't feel like I talk in complete sentences even...lol What IS the brain fog? Anyone understand why this happens? I'm assuming it's chemical somehow, but it's making me crazy...even my eyes feel out of focus.

 

[He Man]

What IS the brain fog? Anyone understand why this happens? I'm assuming it's chemical somehow, but it's making me crazy...even my eyes feel out of focus.

H&H, hi..
My take, based on my research & personal, first hand experience: the fog comes from anxious/nervous exhaustion. Brain only has so much energy. With an overactive nervous system (& amygdala) consuming so much energy during anxiety, it leaves little energy for the prefrontal cortex (concentration & rational thinking etc.) Peace ~

 

[guitarman65]

H&H, im with you on the "brain fog" thing. Perfect explanation of how it feels! I have it daily, in various strengths. I always wondered if brain fog was related to Derealization or Depersonalization, or maybe even another way of describing one of the two. Truly, not easy to deal with, thats for sure!

He-man, thats the most perfectly worded description of it, makes perfect sense! For me, it's something like having drank 20 cups of coffee...but at the same time, being exhausted from no sleep! Very hard to deal with!

 

[Rosy]

I hate brain fog. I feel like I am on a different planet. For me it's a spacey feeling. I get pressure in my head and face. I hate when you have sinus problems with it. Double whammy. lol I have it now. If anyone finds out what you can do for it, let me know. I find nothing really helps. Might help a little for a little while but not long enough to get relief.

 

[triceps]

Every single morning the brain fog gets me. A great description for it along with some physical difficulties related to coordination. Thankfully it gets progressively better for me as the day goes on. In the early evening, barring some anxiety inducing situation, I so often make the mistake of committing to things that the next day I can't do. Rosy....how'd your trip to the doctor's go yesterday? Any changes in your care suggested?

 

[Rosy]

Every single morning the brain fog gets me. A great description for it along with some physical difficulties related to coordination. Thankfully it gets progressively better for me as the day goes on. In the early evening, barring some anxiety inducing situation, I so often make the mistake of committing to things that the next day I can't do. Rosy....how'd your trip to the doctor's go yesterday? Any changes in your care suggested?

It went okay. No changes in medication. I go in 3 mos.. again. I'm going to think about talk therapy with one of his associates and let him know if I want to try it. Only trouble I have is having to cut pills. Didn't have that problem when I only took 0.5 tabs mg. instead of 1 mg. lol I got through the appmt. Was only there for about 15 min. I always have a few bad days after. trying to calm down. Feel better today. Hope you are doing okay.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

H&H, hi..
My take, based on my research & personal, first hand experience: the fog comes from anxious/nervous exhaustion. Brain only has so much energy. With an overactive nervous system (& amygdala) consuming so much energy during anxiety, it leaves little energy for the prefrontal cortex (concentration & rational thinking etc.) Peace ~

This makes a lot of sense, actually...thanks. It's just frustrating...I wonder if there is a super vitamin to kick us out of it. lol

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

H&H, im with you on the "brain fog" thing. Perfect explanation of how it feels! I have it daily, in various strengths. I always wondered if brain fog was related to Derealization or Depersonalization, or maybe even another way of describing one of the two. Truly, not easy to deal with, thats for sure!

He-man, thats the most perfectly worded description of it, makes perfect sense! For me, it's something like having drank 20 cups of coffee...but at the same time, being exhausted from no sleep! Very hard to deal with!

I've wondered the same thing, actually - I have gone through pretty long periods of depersonalization before, and the 'fog' usually lifts a little faster. But might be the same kind of thing going on in the brain? Either way, it doesn't scare me any more like it used to - just makes me feel really disconnected from everyone and everything. Right now, it's keeping me from doing my job, which isn't good. I'm going to do my best to get some real sleep tonight and see if it helps.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

It went okay. No changes in medication. I go in 3 mos.. again. I'm going to think about talk therapy with one of his associates and let him know if I want to try it. Only trouble I have is having to cut pills. Didn't have that problem when I only took 0.5 tabs mg. instead of 1 mg. lol I got through the appmt. Was only there for about 15 min. I always have a few bad days after. trying to calm down. Feel better today. Hope you are doing okay.

Rosy, was this a psychiatrist/wellness check-up, or were you finding out more about whether or not you'll need surgery? I've been wondering when you would have news...

 

[Rosy]

This wasn't for the aneurysm. I don't go for that appmt till March 1. Still have to wait that one out. The appmt yesterday was for my anxiety. I get really anxious before any dr. appmt. lol White coat syndrome. It went okay. He wants me to try talk therapy so I'm going to let him know what I decide when I go again in May. I think I may try it. I hope you get some good sleep tonight so you can work tomorrow. I think you are doing great for all you went through with surgery.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

This wasn't for the aneurysm. I don't go for that appmt till March 1. Still have to wait that one out. The appmt yesterday was for my anxiety. I get really anxious before any dr. appmt. lol White coat syndrome. It went okay. He wants me to try talk therapy so I'm going to let him know what I decide when I go again in May. I think I may try it. I hope you get some good sleep tonight so you can work tomorrow. I think you are doing great for all you went through with surgery.

Okay, just checking on you. I understand the anxiety about the anxiety lol. When I go in to talk to my doctor about it, I am always kind of stuck in this limbo between trying to seem "together" and trying to make sure he knows that I still struggle - what if I'm having a really good day and he doesn't see the bad? What if I'm having a really bad day and he wants to commit me to a hospital? hahahaha I really get worked up about it.

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm just so off schedule now, and sleeping is such a struggle. I just want to lay on my SIDE so bad I could scream, but it's too painful. So I'll keep riding it out, and hope I don't lose my job in the meantime. I talked to my team leader today about what's going on, and he's very understanding - the deadlines are still there, though. I will figure it out.

Sleep tight!

 

[guitarman65]

Sleep DEFINATELY helps mine! Its just pretty hard for me to get a good nights sleep. I had a thought earlier...i think i may have brain fog all the time because i feel better in the morning and at night. Both times, most people's brains are foggy-ish anyway, morning from just waking up, and night time when most are sleep. I dont know...just a thought?

 

[Rosy]

I feel sure they will work with you. It's good he is understanding. lol You get the same thoughts I do when I see my Dr. for anxiety. That is exactly what goes through my mind. I always think if I am having a good day will he think all my days are like that and if I am having a bad day will he think he should admit me somewhere? lol lol I can't believe we think the same thing. Thanks for checking in on me. I sure hope you have a good night.

 

[Rosy]

guitarman that brain fog is just another part of anxiety. It comes and goes. I've had it for years and years. You will get used to it. I hope it eases so you can get a break. Let us know how it goes. Someone else on here may have better ways to deal with it than me so here's hoping you get some good ideas how to deal with it.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Sleep DEFINATELY helps mine! Its just pretty hard for me to get a good nights sleep. I had a thought earlier...i think i may have brain fog all the time because i feel better in the morning and at night. Both times, most people's brains are foggy-ish anyway, morning from just waking up, and night time when most are sleep. I dont know...just a thought?

So maybe I just need to subcontract you to do my job until this passes. hahahahah (kidding) I think it's just exhaustion for me right now. I need to be knocked OUT.