Learning/cognitive difficulties - Any helpful ideas?

[AnitaIsHere]

Hi all,

Diagnosis: major depressive disorder. Been medicated for nearly 20 years with multiple changes to medication and attempts to go without them, to no avail. Status: Accept my lot in life and deal with as best I can.

Current: Happy with medication. Feel normal. EXCEPT:

I am absolutely stupid. I used to be intelligent.

I'm trying my best to get through a degree but can't learn for the life of me. Feels like nothing will stick and my concentration is basically lost. It's just so disheartening and though I'll never be defeated because I'm as head strong as they come, I'm down to one subject and still can't focus.

What things have people tried to help the brain focus?

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi AnitaIsHere,

Welcome to the beyondblue forum. It is great to see you posting here to gain some further support. It sounds as though you have a great amount of insight to your own health status and wellbeing and I commend you for being proactive in continually trying to create improvements in your life.

Having a tough time concentrating can be really frustrating. I wonder if you have tried any techniques in the past that have helped? I will offer a few suggestions but I’m sure others on the forum will have more.

There is a technique called Mindfulness. It can be learned over time and can help to improve concentration and mental clarity for some people. There is a few threads on the forum about it and if you search above ‘mindfulness’ you could find some strategies here on the forum. Another way to start learning about Mindfulness is through Smiling Mind which has an app and a website https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

Another strategy that has helped me personally is an app called Luminosity. It is a brain training type app that exercises different areas of your brain using puzzles and games. You can have a look at it here if your interested in this type of exercise. https://www.lumosity.com/en/

Finally, my grandmother swears by doing a cross word or sudoku everyday for 30 minutes. She is 96 and is quite sharp in her memory and concentration.

I suppose like trying to get physically fit, becoming mentally fit takes persistence and setting a regular exercise regime that builds up over time. Setting small and realistic goals can be important as well. It sounds like you are doing this already by reducing your studies to what is more manageable right now.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[AnitaIsHere]

Thanks for your generous response, Jenn. I'm most grateful.

It's terrific to hear I'm on the right track. My goal is to one day function like a normal person. I'm effectively using myself as my own guinea pig at the moment. Using a light to try and get myself out of bed in the morning, exercising every other day and forcing activities. Many years ago I read The Brain That Changes Itself. I'm aware that things have progressed since then, but still appreciate the optimism that that book left me. It's what drives me to keep exploring ways of conquering (I use conquering because that's how it feels) my depression.

I wonder what peoples' thoughts are on malleability of neurons and whether we're using enough of these techniques to kickstart our 'faulty wirings'.

I'll be adding mindfulness meditation to my routine beginning tomorrow. I'm really here for results. I am sad that a large part of my life has been adversely affected by this illness, but determined not to allow it to continue to ruin the remainder.

I'm grateful for any further suggestions anyone may make