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Just can't seem to focus

QueenieSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 7:38 pm AEST

Just can't seem to focus

I know in the past couple of days (including today), I just can't focus on anything too much. I'm easily distracted and can't concentrate. It's making wanting to study difficult.

Added to this my antipsychotic meds are making me twitch and get mouth movements. I know there is medication I can take to counter-act this, but it makes it difficult to see anything if I take it.

It's really getting me down not being able to focus on anything for more than a couple of minutes at a time because nothing is getting done. As it is this post took a while to write!

I'm a hopeless case tonight!

14 replies

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In response to: Just can't seem to focus

pipSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 8:52 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

Dear Queenie. From the sounds of things you are really in a bad place tonight. Are the voices louder than usual, you mentioned you have antipsychotic AD's to take, but the side effects sound worse than the reason to take them. Even if you take something to counter-act the side effects. To me, that means you're taking side effect AD's to counter the side effects from the antipsychotic AD's. Perhaps you need 'time out' at this time, to get yourself some r & r. When we over-tax ourselves studying or working and we're dealing with any sort of mental health on top of that, taking time to self care quite often is more beneficial than taking AD's to deal with bad side effects from other AD's. Perhaps just a bit of 'you' time to recuperate would be better. If you're still in a bad way tomorrow or later tonight, is there any way you can get some relief? Maybe talking to your gf or lifeline telephone counselling. I sincerely hope your gf is there with you. You need support and guidance.

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

QueenieSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 10:20 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

Hi @pip: I ended up being told by my gf to come and spend some time with her. She knows the involuntary movements are getting me down and she gave me a big big hug (which is always welcome). My voices are actually quieter at the moment because I had my depot injection today and it must have topped up my waning levels of antipsychotic.

I think I'm going to try and have an early-ish night tonight (if I can).

Thanks for your reply 🙂

In response to: Just can't seem to focus

utopiaSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 10:47 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

@Queenie. So glad you have a gf who is looking after you tonight. Is feeling like this a normal reaction for your MI or your meds? (Sorry I don't know much about psychosis). Maybe your body was low on the meds or having just had your depot shot - maybe it was a bit of a temporary overload.
Either way I'm glad you have someone looking after you. I hope you feel back to normal tomorrow. All the best

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

AppleblossomSenior Contributor05 Aug 2016, 11:34 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

Hi @Queenie

Sorry you are finding it difficult to study and sometimes the med cocktail creates as many problems as it fixes.

I think you are wonderful to do the work you do and keep improving your quals.

I know I tend to normalise things. I dont mean to underestimate your struggle. It might just be the aspie in me, but simply the wording in your post brought up an image of children, students, my kids and kids and adults in general. People often seem to flip between different levels of focus and sometimes scattiness can even positive consequences as we take in and process stimuli in different ways. I know an adult who calls himself a 360 degree guy.

As a piano teacher where a high level of focus is needed to integrate LH & RH, we employ different strategies to pace a lesson Normal school teachers also provide a range of activities to engage different brain functions eg problem solving skills and creative approaches. Often then we divide ourselves into arty or sciencey types, but if we all are really a mix of both.

It doesnt help current issue re hitting the books, but just trying to relieve the stress a bit and say "hi".

In response to: Just can't seem to focus

utopiaSenior Contributor06 Aug 2016, 11:28 am AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

Hope you are coping a bit better today @Queenie.

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

QueenieSenior Contributor06 Aug 2016, 12:04 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

I think you raise some valid points there @Appleblossom. I know my learning styles have changed since high school and first becoming unwell in 2006. I am a lot more 'open' to my surroundings around me than what I used to. I see in more of a 360 degree way of learning, rather than just reading something and taking it in.

I like how you think! 🙂

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

QueenieSenior Contributor06 Aug 2016, 12:06 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

@utopia: I am doing ok at the moment but still have the twitches and mouth movements. I'm just trying to ignore them. I'm listening to the Olympics in the background - bring on the equestrian!

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

Unknown userMember06 Aug 2016, 7:24 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

Hi @Queenie

Those side effects sound really awful to try and deal with. I also have been having a lot of trouble with concentration and maybe motivation as well. Things are so hard when you're trying to do stuff that you need to do but can't.

I hope that your psychiatrist can help and change something to get it under control.

In response to: Re: Just can't seem to focus

QueenieSenior Contributor06 Aug 2016, 7:28 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

I think I'm going to let his nurse know on Monday so she can pass a message to him (she can phone him and get through directly to him rather than me phoning and leaving a message with his receptionist). 🙂

In response to: Just can't seem to focus

KurraSenior Contributor06 Aug 2016, 7:42 pm AEST

Re: Just can't seem to focus

@Queenie
I suggest you get on to your pdoc as soon as possible. The involuntary movements /mouth movements may be indicative of early stage tardive dyskinesia which is normally related to the use of first generation antipsychotics. In the meantime just ignore these involuntary twitches as much as you can.
Take care 💕

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