Suffering depression and having concentration & memory problems

[Jo3]

For a while now I have been having terrible trouble concentrating on things,  For eg reading a book - this is very difficult for me at the moment.  I struggle trying to read a book.  My psych has given me some reading to do on Mood gym but do you think I can remember what I am reading? - NO.

It is very frustrating because I have to go back weekly to him and let him know what I've read.  I get angry with myself because I don't like what's happening.  Could it be because of my depression, anxiety and BPD? 

Has anyone else had this problem? And if so, what did you do to help with concentration/memory?

I sometimes feel that my pysch doesn't believe me when I tell him that I don't remember things.  I don't know what to do, hope someone can give me some advice.

Thanks

Jo

[HA1]

Hi Jo

Sorry I missed this post yesterday 😞

Yes Jo, I too have the same problem.  I read a lot, always have, and I still read a lot. But I find that these days I cannot concentrate on what I am reading for any longer than a few minutes.  So that is what I do now.  Instead of perhaps reading a book from cover to cover in a day, I set myself goals. I'll leaf through the pages before I start, and find a spot (could be end of chapter) and set that as a target. It generally works - not always.  But I know how frustrating it is.  Reminds me of when I was at Uni (just a few years ago!), when required to read a very boring text book (as they all were then), I struggled to get through a page before setting it aside and deferring it as long as I could.  Yes, concentration problems are often associated with depression.

But for me concentration problems does not only stop at reading books.  I have difficulty concentrating sometimes driving a car!! Not healthy.  My psychs still frown when I tell them how many kilometres I sometimes drive in a day.  They always try and get me to stop driving so much.

Memory, what memory George .... oh, sorry, Jo.  In short, mine is like a sieve.  I now carry a notebook around.  Took it with me to the psychiatrist last time and he looked at it and wondered why I had resorted to written notes.  Told him straight out that if I did not write things down I would be sitting in front of him then talking about my 'issues' and how I was 'feeling'.

I have tried to show you that you are not alone and at the same time a couple of simple tips on how I overcome some of these challenges.

Take care Jo

K

[white knight]

Hi Jo,

I can honestly say I've never read a book entirely in my life.

When my kids were young I'd read them a book like "saggy baggy elephant". First and last page only. No patience.

At school, same thing. But I had perception that allowed me to know the story anyway.?

I think you are reading into your psych's mind and feeling guilty. How do you know he/she is thinking this or that.?  Tell it how it is. they ask the questions you give the answer regardless of what it is.

eg "I cant read that, I cant focus for that long"  It isnt that complicated Jo. Keep things simple.

Tony WK

[Jo3]

Hi K & Tony

Thanks for those tips you have given me.  I had a session yesterday with my therapist and told him that I struggle so much with memory and concentrtion.  He just brushed it off but it really is frustrating and then gets me down. I think I will try to read only 1-2 pages and then stop, let that sink in and then continue. I just find that my head is so full of 'other stuff going on' that i can't seem to stop that from happening while reading.

Tony, 'the saggy baggy elephant' - i don't remember that book!!

I am going to let my pyschiatrist know that I am struggling with memory and concentration. And I will tell my therapist next week that I am struggling and that i am serious about it and how frustrating it is.

Yeah, Tony I quite often 'mind read' what my pysch is thinking or going to say.  He jokingly tells me that he didn't know i had a degree in 'mind reading'!!! LOL

I struggle with that as well, thinking that will i say the wrong thing, will he be angry with me, etc etc etc (think this is a BPD thing) which i need more help with

Jo

[HA1]

:))

you are welcome anytime & every time 

[Neil_1]

Hi Jo

The beauty about having this issue is that you don't need to go out and buy new books.   You can just re-read your old ones and it'll be like the first time you've read them.

Sorry, that's my first attempt in humour in many weeks, so I hope it went ok.

Neil

[Brum1]

Unfortunately I suffer the same fate with memory and cognition. I find myself having to write down everything or else I forget. I have 3 books I would like to read but I think its beyond me at present. Hang in there

[Jo3]

Now that's a point Neil!!! LOL

It's really frustrating me but there is nothing I can do except slow myself down.

It's so nice to hear from you again, I have been thinking of you and hope you're doing okay.

Take care Neil

Jo xxx

[Jesseka]

Hi Jo,

I have a lot of trouble concentrating on things, like reading or doing assignments for example. The most I last is at least 10-15 minutes before becoming totally distracted again.