When brain fog sets in, accomplishing even a small task such as writing a grocery list or writing a letter can seem insurmountable. Brain fog makes it difficult for us to think quickly, remember things, and in some cases even hold a conversation. Most people report feeling spaced out, mentally slow, and as if they are experiencing significant fatigue. It’s called brain “fog” because it literally feels like there is nothing but cloudiness when trying to think.
There are many brain fog causes such as: neurodegenerative diseases, mental illnesses, and various medications. Unfortunately in some cases such as when a person has Alzheimer’s or schizophrenia, the brain “fog” can be irreversible. In other cases such those resulting from lack of sleep or depression, correcting the problem will usually improve an individual’s cognition. For further information on correcting cloudy thinking, be sure to read how to get rid of brain fog.
Brain Fog Symptoms
In many cases a variety of factors such as: daily habits (lifestyle), medications, and illnesses can all contribute to brain fog. Below is a list of symptoms that people commonly report during their experience of fogginess. Understand that you may not experience everything symptom listed below and that degree of impairment will be based on the individual.
Communication difficulties: It is commonly reported that people have difficulties expressing their thoughts both verbally and in writing during times of brain fog. Sure, most people will not lose their ability to communicate, but they may pause mid-conversation trying to think of a word or trying to “think” of what they were trying to say. It’s almost as if their brain isn’t primed enough to express its thoughts.
- Speaking (Verbal): You may notice that holding a conversation doesn’t seem to come as naturally. Prior to your experience of brain fog, expressing yourself may have been natural and easy. Now it may be difficult to decide what word to use, what sounds good in a sentence, and/or you may be completely drawing a blank with what you’re trying to say. It can become very difficult to properly verbalize the thoughts or message the way you intended. Additionally, you may notice that you think of words, but then your brain spits out something completely different than you initially intended to say; this can be frustrating.
- Writing: You may try to write something for school or work and realize that you can’t think of a damn thing. It’s almost like trying to pull words out of a hat that has no words. You are scrambling to think of something unique to say, but nothing is on your mind. The only thing your brain is filled with at this point is a thick cloud of fog. Many writer’s report experiencing “writer’s block” – this is very common when the cognition is “fogged.”
Concentration problems: A hallmark of brain fog is an inability to concentrate on cognitively demanding tasks. For example, if you are in school, it may be tougher than normal to focus on taking a test. You may see the questions, but may be thinking about a song you heard earlier in the day. No matter what you do or how hard you try to focus, it’s extremely difficult. Another example would be getting assigned a big project at work and not even knowing how to start.
Decreased productivity: Most people notice a pretty steep decline in productivity when brain fog sets in. This because our psychomotor activity slows, and in some cases, dopamine production can decline. This makes it tougher to think critically and perform tasks that require a significant degree of thought. This is commonly reported when people quit taking a psychostimulant medication and notice a “crash.” (Read: Adderall Crash for more information). In some cases, the productivity may cost a person their job or result in poor test-performance at school.
Decision-making: Without brain fog, it is easy for people to weigh the pros and cons of a situation and make an educated decision. When the fog sets in, it may be difficult to decide between getting a chicken sandwich or having a burger for dinner. Even seemingly simple decisions such as deciding what to eat become an extreme dilemma. Foggy thinking can result in slight impairment of decision-making.
Depression: Although brain fog can be a symptom of depression, vice-versa also applies. In other words, the brain fog can actually lead a person to become depressed. People that are unable to make sound decisions, think clearly, hold logical conversations, and aren’t productive, are likely going to feel pretty depressed as a result. No matter how hard a person tries, they may be noticeably “slower” than others when it comes to mental performance; this can lead to depression.
Disorganized thinking: In some cases, a person’s thinking becomes erratic and very disorganized. Thoughts may be sporadic as and a person may have difficulty staying on topic during a conversation. In other words, when talking about a baseball game, a person’s thinking may shift to something completely random – and they will not be able to stay on track. This is usually most prominently noted in cases of disorganized schizophrenia.
Distraction: While working on a task or doing anything, a person with brain fog can become easily distracted. For example, if you are writing a paper, you may write two sentences, then check Facebook, then start listening to music, then start dancing, then start dinner, and dread returning to the writing. It is thought to be even easier to become distracted during any cognitively demanding tasks such as solving math problems, puzzles, or writing.
Drowsiness: For some individuals, dealing with brain fog can result in drowsiness. Obviously there will be different causes of the fog, but for many individuals it can be normal to feel very drowsy when the fog is at its peak. In fact, you may just want to take a nap instead of even try to consciously think.
Errors: When performing certain tasks, you may notice that you make more mistakes than usual. This is especially common in technical work and/or any work requiring a high level of mental focus. If brain fog suddenly sets in and you are getting more questions incorrect on tests, are making mathematical errors, or grammatical errors, this could be a result of the fog.
Fatigue: Brain fog often goes hand in hand with feelings of fatigue. When you become fatigued, both physical and mental functions become increasingly difficult. Although brain fog doesn’t necessarily always cause a person to feel fatigued, they are often complementary sides of the same condition. Increased brain fog can lead to increased fatigue and vice versa.
Forgetfulness: You may notice that you forget things more often when you have brain fog. You may forget to show up for meetings or appointments. You may forget when it’s someone’s birthday or you may forget where you put your car keys that you recently had. Brain fog usually involves slower thinking, which can lead us to forget things we’d normally have an easier time remembering.
Impaired cognition: As a whole, your cognition is likely to become impaired during the fog. The extent to which you experience impaired cognitive functions can range between minor impairment and severe impairment. Although you may still be able to read, write, perform math, and communicate, you may notice that your abilities have declined. During times of impaired cognition, it may be especially difficult to write a paper, organize thoughts for a speech, or start a project.
Inability to think critically: Critical thinking is important because it helps us make good decisions. As was already mentioned, your ability to make decisions often suffers as a result of brain fog. Another similar component to the decision making process that gets affected by brain fog is that of critical thinking. You may notice that you aren’t able to learn from experiences, share insights, or make critical points (especially during debates).
Inattentiveness: An obvious characteristic of brain fog is inattentiveness. This is a common indication of ADHD, but people can exhibit inattentiveness without a disorder. There are other types of ADHD in which inattentiveness is not as big of a problem. Usually when a person experiences brain fog, it can become extremely difficult to stay focused in school, pay attention during a conversation, and comprehend new information.
Learning difficulties: In some cases, brain fog becomes evident when a person has a tough time learning new things. Usually learning disabilities can cause brain fog, but the fog can also make it significantly tougher to learn new information. A person may notice that their intelligence declines until they address the fog.
Lethargy: Another commonly reported symptom of brain fog is that of lethargy. Every move you make, your body may feel heavy and tired. The brain fog can make you think cloudy, and makes people tired and “slow.” All of these feelings are associated with lethargy, which is why this is considered a common symptom.
Low energy: Most people notice that their energy experiences a major drop when brain fog becomes bad. You may lack the energy to go to the gym or even get simple things done around the house. When your energy takes a hit and you can’t think clearly, this can be detrimental to all areas of life.
Memory problems: The onset of brain fog may result in significant memory impairment and other problems. You may have a difficult time forming new memories, making it tougher to learn new things. It may also be difficult to recall long-term memories – you may feel as if you cannot remember anything.
- Formation: Depending on what is causing your brain fog, you may have a tough time forming new memories. This can affect our ability to learn because we may hear or observe new information, but it doesn’t “sink in” to our memory. This is often called “encoding” or allowing new memories to be created.
- Impairment: Some people describe their memory as being impaired by the fog. Once the fog goes away, the impairment generally improves. However if left unaddressed, the impairment may escalate and become even more difficult to deal with.
- Long-term: It can be tougher to form and retrieve long-term memories when necessary. If you notice that your long term memory has taken a turn for the worse, it could be because of the fog you are experiencing.
- Retrieval: When trying to retrieve a particular memory, you may have a tough time. For example, you may have been able to easily remember something in the past, and all of a sudden you have difficulty recalling those memories.
- Short-term: Even your short-term memory can suffer during brain fog. If the fog is being caused by neurodegeneration or a neurological condition, short-term memory is likely to suffer.
- Storage: The amount of memories we can store can become reduced. Although the fog may simply be affecting retrieval for certain people, among others it can affect the storage process. Therefore certain memories may not get stored or storage may become limited.
Performance decline: You may notice your performance in all aspects of life decline. School work may seem more difficult, your tests may seem tougher than they actually are, and your grades could suffer. At work you may have a tough time finishing your normal workload and may become increasingly stressed as a result of your inability to think quickly. Socially your ability to hold logical conversations can also suffer.
Poor rationalization: During conversations and/or while trying to prove a point, you may lack the ability to properly rationalize. Your brain may feel so foggy, that you can’t even attempt to rationalize your decisions. This is especially common while partaking in a debate – you may not be able to logically gather facts to “rationalize” your point or situation.
Procrastination: Since your brain isn’t working as quickly or efficiently as it used to, you may procrastinate work that is mentally draining. Instead of finishing something in “one take” such as writing a paper from start to finish, you may write one paragraph, take a long break, then write another. In other words, you are less productive, and you are putting off important tasks because it’s simply too difficult to think clearly.
Psychomotor slowing: Do you notice that it takes significantly longer for you to complete tasks? Do you feel as if your brain speed is stuck in the slowest possible gear? If so, you may experience what is known as psychomotor slowing. This involves slowed brain waves (i.e. lack of beta waves) and performing tasks at a lower rate than usual.
- Moving: You may move extremely slowly and feel lethargic. Your movement may appear lifeless and lacking energy.
- Talking: During conversations you may forget words, forget what you were going to say, and have a difficult time being spontaneous. You also may have a difficult time processing what another person is communicating.
- Thinking: Mental acuity and thought speed usually takes a hit during brain fog. It may take you much longer to think of a solution or be mentally “primed” in certain situations.
Social decline: Some people notice that their social skills decline during times of brain fog. Sometimes the fog becomes so severe that you may have a difficult time thinking of the correct words to use while speaking. This can create a lot of social anxiety and ultimately result in withdrawal and/or isolation from social events.
Sleepiness: You may not only feel fatigued, but you may feel very sleepy all the time. Excessive sleepiness is referred to as hypersomnia, and is associated with brain fog. Usually the amount of sleep you get will influence the severity of the fog you experience. Getting sufficient sleep to restore the brain can be helpful, but excess sleep can actually make brain fog worse.
Slow-witted: Some people experience such slow thinking that they can barely think of a response to basic questions. People who are quick-witted usually have the exact opposite of brain fog; they essentially have clear skies with all sunshine. If you feel “slow-witted,” realize that this is what people with brain fog often experience because it takes them much longer to process information.
Spaced-out: You may notice that your mind randomly goes blank, even when you need it to be focused and primed for a task. For example, you may be explaining something to a friend and mid-sentence or mid-paragraph, you totally forget what you were going to say. In other cases, you may start working on something and turn away from your work in almost a “trance-like” daydream. Frequent daydreams and feeling “spaced out” are characteristics of psychomotor slowing and brain fog.
Tiredness: If you feel tired all the time, this can affect your energy levels and brain activity. When people are tired, their brain fog tends to be worse than when they feel awake and alert. Feeling tired can be frustrating because not only will you have less physical energy, but the brain fog makes it difficult to get things done. You may be so tired that you just sit around the house all day and accomplish nothing.
Managing symptoms of brain fog…
It is up to you to determine what works best to help you manage your symptoms of brain fog. If you know that the fog will only be temporary, such as in the case of sleep deprivation, then you don’t have to worry as much. But if you were diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder that is causing your brain fog to worsen over time, you may need to pursue some sort of pharmaceutical intervention.
Understand that dealing with brain fog can be extremely frustrating, but it’s something that many people experience. In most cases, the fog is not permanent, and most people eventually are able to find a solution. Whether the solution involves a pharmaceutical drug, supplements, exercise, meditation, or some sort of cognitive training, most people will end up clearing the fog that has temporarily invaded their brain.
Nearly everyone experiences an occasional “fog” that can cause temporary difficulties. It is when the fog becomes so severe that it affects a person’s work performance, school performance, communication skills, and/or overall wellbeing that it becomes a problem. Have you experienced any brain fog symptoms? If so, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.
This is my current situation too. Post Saw Palmetto, Fenugreek, All 5 alpha Reductase inhibitor herbs have robbed me of my mental clarity and acuity, I feel like the dumbest person on earth in a heavy cloud, constant bouts of lethargy and fatigue. No libido, impotence, the list goes on. I want my life back. Health is wealth. Seems a shame to be like this only at a prime age of 24.
This started to be a problem for me when I started high school. But my at a young age my mom took me to get my hearing check once because it was so clear that I couldn’t quite catch what people were telling me at times. (I wasn’t death the physician concluded so we honestly just had to live with it and I fought harder to focus on what people were telling me).
I’m 20 now and one guy even called me fake once. (He was trying to talk to me about a block of ice he called ‘a shoe’ because it looked like one but I could not focus on what he was saying. Then someone asked something and I immediately dismissed him to answer her. It was like I was a robot and when I came back to him he had that questioning look in his eyes and said ‘You’re being fake’ to my face and I said nothing. I just thought here we go again and almost cried).
Some people don’t understand that I’ve dealt with this almost all my life and it feels worse now. I can’t even explain this to them because this is not some legit disorder I can tell people. I cry over it a lot at times and wonder what’s wrong with me. It’s like a fog trying to understand people sometimes and it’s extremely hard to focus on two things. I hope this is just a phase but since it’s been this way even at a young age, I don’t know.
I have diabetes and when the sugar is high, I have brain fog to where I can’t even function at work. I was taking Provigil for years and this has been the only thing that has helped this. It also has worked on my depression where no other medications have helped. Only problem, my insurance won’t cover this, not even the generic brand.
They will only cover the medication if one has Narcolepsy. Even though this medication helps a lot of my medical conditions, they won’t even consider it. I try to maintain an acceptable blood sugar level, but everything affects it. Good luck to everyone with this journey and never give up and always remember to breathe.
Here is my story, Please get in touch if you think you can help me as I can’t continue for much longer. On Wednesday 25th May, I returned home early from work having been unwell for the previous three weeks with what was initially diagnosed as a Quinsy abscess/severe Tonsillitis. During this time I was extremely unwell and prescribed three different types of antibiotics. I’m not sure if this initial illness is in some way linked to what I’m going to share, but it gives a full picture of what’s been happening.
During this period of time, alongside being extremely physically unwell, I was experiencing overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety and worry having recently started a new job and being in my probationary period, having to take time off sick which was unpaid and worrying about a number of financial implications and a few ongoing personal issues. I returned home on Wednesday 25th May and at this point in time my cognitive functioning and thought process was clear. I felt physically exhausted and decided to have a nap at around 6pm, I woke up around 8pm with a very faint pain in my head, and feeling in what I can only describe as a state of shock about my current situation of being unwell, worried about my new job, money, being able to pay the rent if I didn’t pass my probation due to sickness etc.
I felt in a state of shock, and suddenly I was unable to think, unable to process thoughts. I closed my eyes to try and get to sleep and suddenly there was nothing? I’ve always had a very sharp mind, clear loud thoughts and a photographic memory but suddenly there was nothing? I immediately panicked and contacted my mother to try and explain what was happening, I suddenly had a blank mind. Like someone had turned the switch to off?
I couldn’t visualise anything, couldn’t process thoughts. It’s like I closed my eyes and there was nothing there – If you asked me to imagine a tropical island or an animal I couldn’t. My vision was blurred, I felt spaced out, anything that happened I suddenly couldn’t remember, or something that happened five minutes ago felt/feels like it was months ago, I can’t remember anything visually since this happened. I can remember things factually (who I am, where I live etc but that’s it).
I immediately went to my GP to explain what had happened and the fact I suddenly was unable to sleep, was experiencing memory loss, blurred vision, spaced out and felt extremely distant and depersonalized. I was told it seemed like an after effect of my throat infection and things would improve and was given sleeping tablets. I returned home unsatisfied with the result but positive and hopeful things would return to normal. They didn’t and I returned multiple times to little success, or further prescriptions of sleeping tables etc. but I didn’t feel like they were taking it seriously.
The GP consulted a Neurologist and I was told there was nothing to worry about. My symptoms continued and in a state of desperate panic I went to A&E to seek further help, I was given a CT Scan which came back negative which was a huge relief and again was told it seemed like a hangover effect from being unwell but again I didn’t feel this was giving me any answers. I returned home and continued to feel exactly the same.
After two weeks of not sleeping, I slowly managed to fall asleep naturally again on and off which was a huge relief. However since May 25th, I have constant memory loss, I can’t remember anything that happened five minutes ago or I feel like it was months ago. I feel constantly spaced out, dazed, blurred and like I have constant brain fog, I’m exhausted, I can’t process thoughts or the thoughts in my head are suddenly non existent – the only way I can describe it.
I have a constant light pain around the front of my head, I can’t sleep, I can’t function. I’m on the verge of losing my job and being unable to pay the rent and bills which is causing further stress and worry and I’m on the verge of killing myself because I can’t continue like this. If anyone can help, please get in touch.
My son is complaining of inability to concentrate, tiredness, weakness, sleepiness and lack of motivation, resulting bad grades in school. He is a freshman in college. He is very upset. I took him to the doctor, got all blood and stool tests done, all came back negative. Next week we are going to see a psychiatrist.
I am having the symptoms that you all describe. I don’t take vitamins or supplements, since I cannot remember to take them. If I make “to do lists,” I forget to look at them. I called it lack of discipline, laziness and lack of attention. I feel I am not reliable, I cannot recall anything from day to day. I am always late, and cannot keep appointments.
I am weary of prescription drugs, but my son insists that they are necessary and have a valid purpose. Anyway, since I want to be more productive my resolution is to take a holistic approach, I will keep a routine for three weeks. If it fails, I will seek the help of a psychiatrist.
I will keep a journal, so I will share with you the results. I will start today, but I will start tracking it from this coming Monday. The result of this experiment should be reflected on my bank account. I will be back next Saturday with an update.
This morning I was having a conversation with my girlfriend about all of these symptoms. I have been feel them for about 4 years now, shortly after my mother passed away. A lot of negative events proceeded to follow losing my mother. It’s frustrating because I have mentally handicapped brothers and it scared me. Its horrible to feel sane and sentient and all of a sudden slowly start to lose the ability to deep think, to converse, or even write.
I loved reading psychology books, arguing with people for fun, and just talk. I am a motor mouth but now I lack the confidence to do any of these things because I can barely think. I am glad I finally figured out what it is so I can work to overcome it. It is very difficult to be in your early 20’s and fail classes because because you can’t function appropriately. I hope that others who suffer from Brain Fog can find a way to overcome it as well.
I might lose my job this week due to the fact that it ‘s hard for me to retain new things that someone is teaching me. I need a cure for the brain fog issue and fast. Debora
Same things are going on with me from past 8 years and I am losing my grades and it’s greatly and profoundly affecting too much!! It’s not like am not a dumb person but all the symptoms are there for me!! What should I do to get back my previous condition of brain? It’s like am regularly slow in daily routine and many mistakes are there in my work!! Please help me!!
I am crying everyday because of this situation!! It’s very frustrating and it’s like I feel like I can’t achieve anything in my life and I have bigger goals please help me!! Really I was searching everywhere what is my problem but I cant describe pinpoint specifics!! The symptoms you discuss are very severe in my life! I stopped my learning also! It’s like I can’t do anything and I became a quitter of small things.
Oh my gosh this completely explains what’s going on with me! I’m usually a very quick thinker, and I think a lot. I love to learn, frequently do my own amounts of research on random things I’d like to be educated about, write all the time, complete tremendous amounts of taxing school work in mere hours and can express myself flawlessly in conversation.
I have a large and particularly interesting vocabulary and I’m a complete people person so talking is a snap for me. Lately I feel so.. Foggy! I can’t recall anything that I know I would’ve remembered before. I have trouble thinking of what to say and how to say it now. I have probably fifty different lists on my phone and constant reminders set.
I’ve been having more social problems, I cant ever seem to know what to say and I feel so awkward in conversations. I’m usually a complete go getter. I went to my grandmas house a week ago and did seven different projects fixing her house and yard. The last time I went over, I was completely drained after one little progress. I lacked the motivation, and the memory, to complete the rest. She had to keep reminding ME of everything she needed done and I always forgot.
I seem to be procrastinating, spacing out and avoiding work one way or another. I get distracted so easily, and today when I was driving, my dad noticed I was all distracted and jerky. I had slow reactions and I couldn’t seem to push on the pedals smoothly anymore. Thoughts come in completely random order, and I cant organize them unless I write them down first because if I try to organize them in my head before writing the correct order, like usual, I forget them all!
I definitely have some sort of brain fog going on. I do have ADD, but I take Adderall and have been for a few months. Either my medicine just decided to not work and make me worse, or some other cognitive issue is presenting itself. A recent fall out with my doctor makes it impossible for me to go to her and comfortably discuss this new idea of brain fog.
I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but whatever it is I better figure it out fast! This cant go on much longer. Its making me feel so frustrated with myself and upset. I just cant seem to figure anything out anymore. ESPECIALLY my memory. This is currently effecting my life in an awful way. It could possibly be caused by my depression.. Or my PTSD. Also any of the scores of medications I take.
In any case, I’m going to look for home remedies and treatment options. Look around for some good advice. For now I’ll leave a list of all the meds I take and hopefully someone can tell me if any would be effecting me this way? Thanks forum. ~Jazz
Depression: Brintellix/Vortioxetine
10mg daily
Mood Booster: Buspar/Buspirone
10mg daily
Focus: Adderall/Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine
30mg as needed
Inhaler: Proair
1puff as needed
Feminine/Digestive Health: Probiotic with cranberry infusion
1pill daily
Asthma/Allergy: Clariton 24 hour dissolve
10mg daily
Vitamins: VitaFusion Woman’s
2gummies daily
The most frustrating part is… While your conversating with others you feel like your so stupid because you stop look up and think. I’m doing my review for my board exam and it’s really very difficult for me… I’ve been experiencing this for a long time and it’s getting worst. I’ve tried so many things to improve my brain performance but nothing’s happening or it’s not even helping.
This is an interesting read for me. I’ve always struggled with speaking coherently but never thought much of it. From a young age, I had trouble with remembering, listening and articulating speech but my writing is alright. Recently, my troubles have come back to haunt me as my first current job requires me to follow instructions, listen and answer or question accordingly.
However, I struggled so much to listen, words just don’t stick; my sentences come out in bits and pieces and people have a hard time understanding me; because I can’t remember what I say, I end up repeating myself making it confusing. Sometimes, I end up feeling so embarrassed because of this…
I’m quite frightened that there may be something wrong with my brain but hopefully learning more about this ‘brain fog’ will give me some insight into coping with this.
Hi all. Wow I’m surprised there are so many people out there are experiencing the same thing as I am. I just found this page. I typed in how I been feeling and this came up. I been experiencing this for the past few years but now it seems to be getting worse. I thought it was all just in my head. I am a meth user as well, I know it damages the brain and can be the reason for a lot of disorders etc.
I’ve been searching what all these ‘symptoms’ actually are & not sure how to figure out what is really wrong. I show signs of DPD (dependent personality disorder), & drug induced psychosis. Yet I experience more brain fog than anything else & I have been before I started using meth, I’ve tried telling my parents this since I started high school. they not those type of ‘people’ who believe in phycological issues.
Since I was about 13 Ive had a terrible memory, very shy at times, other times I would make a complete fool out of myself. I have difficulty communicating with others, understanding what they saying or their ‘lingo’ I cant keep going on like this. I always ask for help on a daily basis (on basic things like what must I say to my customer cause I’m a waitress, or even what to wear).
At times I think clearly but MOST of the time everyday I can’t. I’m 20 years old & in need of some help or advice will really be much appreciated.
I’ve never heard someone describe so well what I’ve been going through for years now. People do not understand my difficulties. It is so frustrating, upsetting, and makes me angry, sad, and depressed. I want to work, but I can’t get off of disability because of this. Things are so hard for me to do. Certain tasks can take years for me to get done that other people might finish up in a week’s time.
I’m not dumb or stupid. I used to make good grades when I was younger and graduated Salutatorian in high school and went to college for two years, but I have health issues that affect my mind and body now. I have Candida yeast problems which have led to more than 10 delayed food allergies, environmental allergies, among many other symptoms such as spontaneous bruising, difficulties breathing, joint pains and my knees swelling.
That can be very painful. When you spoke of not being able to speak right, sometimes in my mind I know what I am trying to tell someone and something else comes out of my mouth that I don’t even know that I said to them. It can cause a lot of misunderstandings. At it’s worse, I had one time that I could not talk more than a word or two at a time and stuttered when I did.
I could not speak in sentences, let alone paragraphs. I understood what was going on around me. I just could not communicate, even though I was actually in a good mood that day because I was moving into a new apartment. This was about 16 years ago. It has never been that bad again, but I am always having difficulties. I just want to get well so I can get a job and be able to take care of myself, my daughter and granddaughter better.
I just lost all of my food stamps and can’t even make it through the month now because my daughter tried to work but Community Action said I would lose my Section 8 Housing because she made too much income, but if she moved out she could never come back and needed to be able to stay so she could go to college. She quit so I didn’t lose my apartment but now food stamps are holding it against us that she quit ‘gainful employment’ that she didn’t even want to quit but did it for me so I won’t lose my home.
I can’t live off of her forever. Someday she will want to move out and I have to have a way to pay my rent with Section 8 or lose my apartment. Now we lost our food stamps and I don’t have enough money left after I pay our bills to buy food because of my difficulties. I don’t know what to do. I have credit card debt trying to survive and need to file bankruptcy now because it got too high for me to pay on all of them.
I can’t afford to file bankruptcy so I have to keep explaining to the credit card companies. Now I have ruined my good credit I had for years because I have always tried to be responsible, but didn’t know how else to keep our old car running and have food to eat and makes sure she had something to wear to school. I had to select just a few credit cards to keep paying on since I could no longer afford the payments on all of them.
I had several because the credit card limits were usually low. I wish I could pay them off. I never wanted to do that. I just didn’t know how else to survive raising a child. My heart wants to do right, but I am just not capable enough. It really hurts me inside. I want to get better. It’s so hard I could cry. Thanks for understanding and writing about it.
It feels good that someone out there understands. I want to do better, but I’ve tried to hold down jobs and was not good enough, but when people look at me they say I ‘look normal’ so they don’t even think I deserve disability. They resent me and even tell me their taxes are supporting me. That just adds to my depression, but I try to judge myself according to God and forgive their ignorance. Thanks for allowing my comment, Lisa.
Currently 19, I’ve had this for several years now. It affects me so greatly that I’ve actually put almost all my projects and goals on hold until I can get it fixed as it’s near impossible for to learn and remember anything. I suspect leaky gut, Candidiasis, mild malnutrition, a milder case of chronic mercury poisoning, low dopamine and hypoglycemia (reactive most likely, but I haven’t been tested for it yet).
Apparently brain fog falls under the category of subsyndromal delirium, causing an altered level of consciousness, inattention, and problems with learning and retaining info. For anyone with brain fog I want to say this: Don’t be too hard on yourself, you are not ‘dumb’ or whatever, your cognition has been thwarted by this disease, you are at a marked disadvantage to others, and I bet you’re quite intelligent otherwise.
I’ve tried stimulant nootropics — such as modafinil & pramiracetam — to minimal avail, although supplements such as alpha GPC, fish oil, multivitamins, and sulbutiamine have worked to some degree. Another thing… you guys should read the book “Grain Brain” and look into the paleo diet, it’s something to go off.
This is soo me, and I already have schizoaffective disorder, anxiety, and this. So things are hard for me. I haven’t gone back to school because of this. I feel soo dumb and honestly mentally retarded. I constantly feel pressure on my head. Even commenting my mind is blank. I know I have a a lot to say, but I cannot find the words.
I am 19 years old and in college. My entire life I have never been able to focus. I can’t think about anything. I’ve always been very social and outgoing. But as soon as anything requires thought, my brain goes foggy. I have tried countless medications my entire life, but the side effects are unbearable and frustrating.
Now my grades in school are plummeting and depression is beginning to set in. I need to find a way to for once find my thought process. Something that I have felt very rarely in my life time. I want to try medical marijuana but my family is very conservative and would never support something like that. What do I do?
This is what I’m like today. I used to get it frequently but then it was found that I had vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism and after they were assisted then I didn’t have it so bad. I also get depression and have anxiety, but feeling depressed and/or anxious is a different than when your thyroid is off balance or you have a vitamin D deficiency. I also get confusion when my sodium is too low. I have it again and I’m hoping they find what’s wrong.
I am currently suffering this type of illness what is so called “Brain fog”. I am a website developer. For the last few months I am suffering from depression and some sorts of anxiety disorder and occasional panic and nervousness. Sometimes, it does happens to me that I am not able to think clearly or analytically. I feel that there is no energy at all from my brain to other parts of my body (hands, legs , spine, fingers, etc).
I feel spineless. I don’t know what is the reason (is it a reason of insecurity or something else?). I feel good whenever I do hard exercise, but that is only for the next few hours of exercising. Everyday I think to visit a psychiatrist, but there is a lot of procrastination that I finally ignore to go. I am very scared and don’t know what to do.
Hi Everyone. I also have this problems for more than 14 years. I stop talking mid-sentence or stop doing what ever am doing even forget everything during that time… the early years I didn’t think it was bad until now I almost run over by a car I didn’t stop crossing the road I don’t even remember I was on the road until my brother pulled me out. It’s scaring the hell out of me. I don’t know what to do.
I have severe brain fog. It came on after taking a fluoroquinolone antibiotic (Cipro). The onset of the brain fog was about a year after I took the drug which can happen. This might have happened to some of you.
I may sound cynical but the extensive list of symptoms seem to click true for me in everyone of those options. Jeez, like I don’t know if it’s a personal problem or if there’s actually a name for something I’m feeling like this. Hopelessness is another sensation that goes through me.
The worst time in having brain fog is when you cant have a proper conversation with somebody, by that I mean forgetting names, places, and sounding really dumb, and being so embarrassed by it all. I used to classify myself as a intelligent person but not anymore because of this blasted fog thing, and I am becoming to drawn into myself, and losing confidence, and friends because I feel as though they are thinking that I am becoming senile and try to avoid me whenever they can.
I know what I want to say but the words wont form in my mind and I feel so stupid but try to joke my way through it but it is starting to depress me
now and my confidence is disappearing and I have tried everything to clear my mind but the fog won’t budge. Maybe one day there will be a way to get rid of it, and that day cant come soon enough, so best we just hang in an count our blessings I guess.
Good day everyone… I too have been having issues with memory and word recall on many levels… names of people I have known for years… I just can’t remember. My kids actually tease me about how bad my memory is because they have noticed how bad it is. We make light of a very frustrating situation to lighten the mood.
Fairly recently I was diagnosed with Melanoma (very early stages) and had surgery to remove it. My brother begged me to see a Naturopathic doctor in conjunction with standard medicine to help in reducing chances of it coming back. I was a huge skeptic about alternative medicine, but I was desperate enough for life I would do anything. I met with the naturopathic doctor and explained everything I was going through about the cancer as well as forgetfulness and brain fog, etc.
My diet changed drastically and the first thing that was changed was to be gluten free, dairy free, unprocessed foods free and coffee free (only water at this point to drink). Wow… it has not been easy! Before this, I thought I was eating very well until I realized how much of the foods I ate were processed and lots of gluten. Pretty much everything! With that being said…
I am finding that it is making a huge difference in not being as tired during the day, thinking more clearly, and being able to find the words when I am looking for them. As well, not feeling down and frustrated all the time. I have been doing it for approximately 1.5 months and am noticing it already. Yes… there has been bumps along the way as it was a huge realization how much of the foods that I eat are processed and almost every meal contained gluten!
I was totally addicted to gluten and processed foods and am finding out it might be the cause of my fog. I did read a few other posts on this blog about the gluten thing as well… and I would not have believed it before… but now I do. I live in Canada and have free health care with standard medicine doctors and have been talking to my regular doctor about these symptoms for years with no improvements.
I pay to see a naturopathic doctor once for other illness and it has had direct benefits on my daily life. There are tons of articles on the net about gluten and processed foods it if you can’t afford it, but take a serious look at it. The Gluten Free Society has a “test” to see if it may be a problem. I will say again, it hasn’t been easy and it will take persistence!
I would start with the Gluten thing and go from there. From all the reading I have been doing it might be what will help you… it has me! Take care in your journey and hope this has helped!
Yes, its me! I have had this problem for almost 4 years now! I used to be the smartest girl at school. But since I moved to a new country (4 years ago) I started to have difficulties with learning things and remebering things that should be done! I feel like my boyfriend may get tired of me if I continue to forget things! Any suggestions? I don’t know what to do.
Usually I am very quick witted. I comprehend subjects like maths very easily. But now a days my brain feels so closed. I can’t think of solutions very easily. It’s been like half a month now. Will it slowly fade away?
Yes, these symptoms are very similar to what I experience. I’ve experienced them for a few years, though the past 3 months or so I feel the cloud every other day and it’s impacting my work and school performance – I have to try to plan to do “hard work” on the days I don’t feel hazy. I keep going to my physician, have seen an allergist (I did have a sinus infection), work out regularly, and tried therapy.
I don’t know what else to do besides keep going back to the doctor. I’m heading back to the physician next week to see if there are any other tests that can be run and am set to see a psychiatrist in a few weeks in case anxiety/depression is the cause. I’m really glad that I’m not alone with this – it’s so hard to describe to others who think there are easy fixes like just stopping being stressed out will resolve this.
Good luck to everyone else, we can get through this!
I was experiencing all of the above symptoms and it turned out to be temporal lobe epilepsy.
I have also been facing the same problems. And mainly I forget things very easily, get distracted during classes, and start thinking about erratic stuff. I often think many times before saying something to someone, especially on social networking sites. Even now I find it hard to express myself. I fear I may have Alzheimer’s. I’ve heard people even die from it.
Brain fog has cost me my job. Communicating and analytical thinking were once very easy. Memory too has taken a backstage. So has my vocabulary, spellings, etc. Thank the God, I understood now that this is a common problem and may have a solution.
That’s exactly how I am. I am just 18 and I have been having those problems since elementary days until now, but I can never remember to mention it to my doctor. I can’t process information at the rate that normal persons do. I have little memory of my past and am unable to think clearly or respond without a scramble like feeling in my head.
I try my best to learn new things, but it’s really hard and I’m struggling. No matter how hard I try it feels as if I’m going insane sometimes. I don’t have anyone to speak to about it so I have kept it hidden all these years… even from my mom. I have all the symptoms explained above. I’m wondering if it’s because I had a horrible childhood that I blocked. Why is this happening to me?
I have the exact symptoms and I have brain fog because of sleep deprivation over a period of 6 months. I happen to be in a period of my life where I am preparing for college (it is something you’ve gotta do in the country I live in to get to a good college, you need to join coaching centers that drill you through the syllabus). I have to give a crazy number of preparatory tests, I have noticed a depressing decline in my ability to concentrate and solve a physics numerical.
I am constantly trying to fool myself into believing that I slept well when each day, I get up with burning eyes, muscle pain and a tense jaw. I know that this extreme (EXTREME) stress is temporary and it will pass, but the problem is that I have brain fog at a time that requires higher brain function. I can identify with and personally authenticate the line that says that you find it tough to read and solve questions in a test, and you start thinking of a song… this is a 100% correct description of what happens to me in a test.
All of you have what I’ve been going through lately. I think it is caused by constant (daily) stress, especially at work with a boss that is constantly pointing out mistakes (repeated because I don’t remember) and that has put my job is on the line. Lack of sleep as in sleep apnea can (this is especially true if you are overweight) and can cause all of these symptoms also. Your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen at night and you need a C-PAP machine to correct that.
A lot of this refers to me, but it seems to only happen around 4 PM. I do well pretty well during the day, even with homeschooled 3 teenagers. But they know that if they need ANY HELP, it needs to be asked for before 4. I do thane major depressive disorder since age 12 (now 38), and in the last year started in Adderall. But still…at 4PM, I have severe problems with communicating clearly, saying words in right order, and remembering next day that happened after 4. Has anyone ever had this type of problems or know of any solutions to help with it?
Hi Everyone.. I am not sure how old this thread is but I will share my experience and maybe my reply will help someone here.. I have had all of the symptoms of brain fog for longer than I can remember. I have also suffered from depression my entire life. I remember being 5 years old and wishing I were dead to be out of my misery and pain. I am 42 now. In 2012, I started spiraling downward to the lowest point I’ve ever been and the worst I could ever imagine being.
I teetered on the verge of ending it all and had already shut everyone out, even family. My best friend, and only friend, was my dog. She was the only one that wasn’t judgmental or critical and gave unconditional love and never left my side thru many tears. Toward the end of 2013, I was on the verge of being fired from work and out of desperation for a solution, I sought the help of my primary physician. I wished for death on a daily basis and even had a plan but hadn’t decided on a day.
Each day was taken one day at a time, literally, minute by minute. Prayer didn’t work, neither did exercise or diet. I read self help books, meditated, took a vacation, ALL at the recommendation of my Dr. I was taking an antidepressant that she prescribed to me in 1997. At that time, After a few different trials of meds, there was one that actually worked and FINALLY, made me happy again and I found hope in life. Despite its effectiveness for depression and overall mood, I still could never quite focus, and wasn’t motivated, and suffered brain fog whether I was on or off the med.
I complained continuously about the fog symptoms to my Dr, and was ignored each time. I learned to function and make due to get by, but NEVER had a good work performance review. I finally came to the realization I was just a ditzy blonde, which is the typical stereotype. Over the years since 1997, I stopped the antidepressant MANY times because I didn’t want to have to rely on a drug my entire life and I thought I could cope on my own with God’s help and prayer. Each time, I ended back on it because I would spiral downward beyond my control within a few months, and the symptoms were always the same.
So fast forward back to 2013 when I went back to my Dr for help, I was informed the prescribed antidepressant that worked so well for 16 years was now rendered ineffective. Over time, my body eventually developed a tolerance to this drug, which was a known certainty. So, I was prescribed a few more different anti depressants to try, some resulting in serious side effects that almost drove me over the edge. I still continued on with trying them because I knew without any help, I was due to reach a point of no return and I was hopeless.
FINALLY, my DR. put me out of work for the depression which she contributed to being related to stress, and prescribed yet ANOTHER antidepressant. I was also referred to see a counselor and psychiatrist because at this point, she said there was nothing else she could do as I was starting to imagine voices and believed I was under attack by the devil. There were times I often lost time, didn’t remember driving too and from places, and couldn’t remember the day before. I felt crazy, sad and angry, completely out of control and beyond help, especially after seeing the facial expression of my Dr.
Getting in to see a counselor took a month, which was the first available by cancellation. I wasn’t a fan of counseling as I had tried this many times in the past with bad experiences. Upon seeing the counselor, she recommended I immediately check myself in by the end of the day for 24 hour mental care for the depression and medicine management to find something that worked again. I was completely opposed to it because I couldn’t just put life on hold for a week. At this point, I was being pressured to return to work by my employer.
I couldn’t find another counselor for second opinion or treatment because no one would call me back, or the appointments were 3 months out. Feeling defeated, I agreed to go back to work the following Monday. On the Wednesday before, I received a call back from a Psychiatric practice 45 minutes from home that had 1 opening for the next day to see a nurse practioner for a medicine evaluation. They had 1 opening Friday for a counseling session. The first appointment for meds was more than an hour and I was asked NUMEROUS questions about my family history on mental issues, (there was a history ranging from depression, to bi-polar disorder, to schizophrenia, all in my immediate family).
Also there were questions on things I had experienced in the past as a child and adult and things currently present and there were focused questions on my specific emotions and the degree of severity. SO, here is my point to telling you all this stuff about me and my experience….This nurse practioner, whose specialty focused on mental health, was a Godsend. Her name is Samantha and with her expertise of psychiatric drugs and mental conditions, we just recently, finally found a combination that works. IT’S BEEN 2 YEARS! (Granted, I stopped meds again for 6 months, and had a back slide). During my hiatus, Samantha, left the practice I found her at.
I reluctantly saw anther NP but after 3 months, the practice closed without warning. I was in the middle of my new treatment plan, WITH NEW DRUGS, AGAIN, and they weren’t helping! I once again, was either gonna hurt myself, someone else or end up in jail because I hated ALL people and I became angry, confrontational, hopeless and sad and my current relationship was suffering desperately. I tracked Samantha down on the internet and made an immediate appointment and I was re-evaluated for symptoms and history. She no longer accepts health insurance, but I don’t care.
We finally came to diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder, ADHD, Mood Disorder, Anxiety, PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and PMDD. Talk about feeling jacked up after hearing that conclusion!! The right doctor that listens, has patience, persistence, expertise in mental disorders and knowledge of the various mental drugs can drastically change your life. General Practioners do not have the knowledge of how each drug works on specific symptoms and emotions. Most of the people that have posts here have symptoms similar to ADHD and Depression.
I NEVER thought I would have ADHD as I have NEVER been a hyper or active person. The brain fog I often felt has been resolved with medication and for the first time, my head feels clear. I believe the fog to be related to a chemical imbalance (Serotonin) in the brain and is exacerbated by other factors such as depression and ADHD. Chemical imbalances and mental illness is real and can be hereditary or brought on by life experiences whether you think you’re effected or not. When there is a mental condition, you can’t meditate it or will it away.
That’s just like saying when you have an abnormality in your heart, you should be able to make it go away without medical help. I always become defensive to anyone that says, “Oh,.you just need to let that stuff roll off your back, you can’t let it bother you” or “you choose how to react to life’s circumstances” and my favorite “just snap out of it, depression is a cop out”. People that say those things truly have not experienced full fledged depression or a true mental condition. Once you have, you totally get it.
There could be other things causing your symptoms such as sleep apnea. I recently had a sleep test done in which I learned allot from the Dr of how sleep effects many aspects of your health to include mental health. I STRONGLY recommend to everyone here on this post to consult at least a Psychiatric Licensed Nurse Practioner that understands how different meds can work together or against YOUR specific symptoms and causes. A psychologist can administer specific tests to help diagnose you. I know lack of medical insurance is a major issue for people.
It was for me too as at the worst time for me mentally, my ex husband was laid off from work and did not even seek unemployment benefits. I came to the conclusion that treatment was something I had to have to get better just like we need food, or would need treatment for any other illness. It is something I had to do and will always have to continue to have a decent quality of life. I found a way to pay for my treatment by taking a second job as a cashier.
Counseling sessions 2 to 3 times a week and med (medicine) checks 1 to 2 times a month plus the cost of scripts that may or may not work, become expensive, even with health insurance, but it’s what you have to do. Do research for Christian Counselors that charge very little to nothing, or counselors and NP’s that choose not to work with insurance companies and charge $50 to $75 a visit. There are also many prescription discount cards available for allot of drugs that you won’t have to pay more then $20 with/without insurance.
Explain your circumstances if money is tight, there are usually options to help. I apologize for the length of my post and I hope someone, somewhere, will find it helpful. I feel compelled to share it so I have. I do believe God puts us thru experiences for a reason and in my case, I was broken all the way down to be rebuilt into something better. I also believe he compels us to do things because someone else is meant to benefit from it and in that case, I hope it finds you. Wishing everyone here the best of luck with your situations. Hugs! -Sharon
James, I feel pretty much the same way you described. For me it started the summer right before my sophomore year all of a sudden. Up until then I had been working 10 hour days M-F, hanging out with my friends almost every evening, and filling up my weekends with plenty of activities. Since then I have stopped socializing as much, my grades went from A/B to B/C, I always think of what I should have said/was actually feeling way too long after I’ve said it for it to be relevant anymore, and I feel mentally blocked – like parts of my brain aren’t working.
In addition, I am also really indecisive most of the time be it what to eat, when to go to sleep/wake up, whether I should say one thing or another, and it usually results in me making last minute decisions/doing nothing at all. I visited a doctor last March about this and all I was told after getting back some normal looking blood tests was that she wanted to try to put me onto an anti-depressant. Reluctant at first, I decided to fill the prescription.
I didn’t notice anything at first, but after a few weeks I started to feel a bit better. The biggest improvements that I noticed in myself, however, came from when I talked to someone I was close to about how I was feeling even if what I said to them was a super filtered down version of how terrible I had been impacted by the fogginess. So that being said, I would suggest that you talk to someone about your fogginess and how it’s affecting you due to the immediate benefit that just talking had in my own life.
I’m in my senior year of college and still trying to find a way to manage my brain fog/blocked thinking/memory issues. I don’t know how much help I could be to you considering that I still haven’t solved the problem yet, but if you’d feel more comfortable talking to someone who’s experiencing the same thing then feel free to reply to my comment and ask for my email address. Good luck man.
Hello Shane, I don’t know when you wrote this message, but I was hoping I could talk to you. I feel exactly the same as you and was wondering if you feel any better? If so I really need to know how as I miss my old self so bad! Hope you don’t mind me emailing please get back to me when you can… Thanks, Faye
I searched what I have been feeling like and found this page. I have been experiencing all of these symptoms over the course of this semester, which began a few months ago. up until recently I have always been sociable, active, and able to think clearly. Since college started, I have not been able to focus on anything, I am constantly tired, and I struggle to write all of my papers.
I always end up typing something, then deleting it, then getting distracted and not working on what I’m supposed to be doing. I also forget very simple things, when I used to have a better memory than anybody I knew. I can’t make any decisions either and it has really messed up a lot of things. It is hard for me to even decide what to eat, or what to wear because it has gotten so bad. My social skills have decline immensely.
I used to be able to talk to anyone it seemed like, and I always enjoyed meeting new people, but now I have felt so brain dead I cannot even have a basic conversation with my best friends. I often zone out or struggle to find the words to say with the people I am the closest to, as well new people that I would have been able to talk to easily a few months ago.
It has been a horrible time for me and has completely struck me at the worst time, as this is my first semester of college and has taken away from everything I have looked forward to. I have no idea how to handle this situation or who to talk to, but I really need to fix whats going on. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
I feel this way CONSTANTLY – all of the symptoms of brain fog listed above apply to me. I can’t even remember when it started. I’ve had depression for many years, coupled with social anxiety (which came first, I don’t really know). I feel tired all day every day, and I really struggle with concentrating on things. I concentrate the best when I am reading a good book, but even then I periodically have to set the book down to either put on my headphones & daydream, or browse the internet.
I constantly listen to music throughout the day while pacing back and forth. Back in high school I was fine just listening to music during bus rides, and in college I was able to listen to it while falling asleep, but now I do it only while pacing (even when dead tired to the point where my eyes & legs hurt from lack of rest!), and I can never seem to listen to any song completely from start to finish. I get bored quickly, and am ALWAYS on the hunt for new music.
I just don’t know what to do anymore. I hate feeling anxious all the time, and from constantly needing a break from whatever it is that I am doing (even if what I’m doing IS taking a break) to do something else. I even pause TV shows constantly to take music breaks or to shift my attention elsewhere. I feel like I’m forgetting things all the time, and when I try to remember things I often draw blanks. It is a real struggle to just TRY to remember things, or to figure out how to express myself.
I also get irritated easily, feel very disorganized, and procrastinate at just about everything. I feel like I am constantly planning without ever actually getting anything done. It is very hard for me to make decisions, as even little things seem to weigh on me heavily. I could spend hours or days (or longer!) weighing my choices and analyzing all possible angles and outcomes, but I still get nowhere!
This is really affecting my job (I have no social life, so no worries there), and I feel like I am barely staying afloat. I am constantly worried that I will be fired for being so disorganized, scattered, & behind, even though my supervisors often praise me and tell me that I am doing a great job. I have a hard time accepting anything positive about myself, and tend to just stress over anything negative. It doesn’t help that at home I am having to take charge of my family’s crises on my own, trying to battle these feelings of lethargy and fatigue in an effort to get things done.
I wish that I could talk to someone about this, but I don’t have any friends, and my family is not really of the “sharing and caring” variety. I don’t feel comfortable speaking to a stranger about this, and the thought of finding & talking to a doctor or therapist is terrifying! I am just not good at opening up to other people (even typing this I am leaving a lot out, and no one here even knows who I am!). In the end, I guess I just wish that I wasn’t so tired all the time, that I had someone I could count on to be there for me, and that I could finally know what it’s like to be happy (and fog-free!).
Hi, Kimberly. You sound a lot like me! I’ve bounced around from doctor to doctor for various things and have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However, I’ve looked into ADD and may also have depression (as a result of anxiety, which is exhausting). One thing I think has helped me is seeing an acupuncturist. She accepts my insurance AND she does a “check in” before each session.
So, it’s not *really* therapy, but she is a licensed social worker as well. We now mostly do talk sessions. I can’t tell you how much it has improved my life to have a supportive person understand my history, who looks at my whole health–mind and body–and to have a logical person who will take my jumbled thoughts and feed them back to me in a concise way. It makes me feel less scattered and less like a total freak. :D.
I have been experiencing increased brain fog and it’s scary. I’m going to address this with my acupuncturist and see what natural rememdies she recommends. If you don’t have supportive friends and family, I say–buy them! until you’re ready to make connections. Of course, not everyone can afford friends, but combined with insurance, it can become affordable. I do hope you get to experience the supportive and hopeful environment that I’ve found through therapy.
There are terrible ones out there, but I’ve found that the social workers are the ones with the best hearts and they also tend to work with various income levels (sliding scale). A therapist is there for *you*. I do hope you can give it a try. It does help to have a sound person who you trust reflect the positive sides of yourself back to you. I still don’t feel like a wonderful person, but I’m starting to see what my values are, distancing myself from non-supportive people and also silencing the parts of myself (self-criticizing and being critical/mistrustful of others) that are keeping me from an “authentic” life.
Since you say you jump around a lot from activity to activity, I’d suggest reading Driven To Distraction. It takes a very supportive and even positive look at ADD. I’m not a doctor, just someone who is struggling like everyone else. I am the mother of two small kids and I find that I *need* to be selfish, meaning, I have to make time for me to be #1. I wasn’t raised that way.
I was raised to worship “Mother Martyr”. But if you write down your values (or determine them with a therapist), it really does help you to clarify your purpose and choices. The brain fog—forgetting words, names, etc.–is probably a byproduct of the stress of constant anxiety, the drain of depression, the distraction of ADD. At least that’s what I think it is for me.
Here’s what I’m going to try:
– Green tea over coffee
– Vigorous exercise once a day for one hour
– A weekly treat just for me–a massage at the mall ($20 footrub anyone?),
– Having a goal or a dream to pursue (to keep from getting distracted)
– Mindfulness
Hope any of this helps someone else. I feel embarrassed that I’m all over the place, but my heart is in the right place. I hope that those of us who find a solution come back and share the results. Hang in there. You are worthy, the struggle is real and we’re in this together!
To clarify, what I meant about the acupuncturist not being “real therapy” is that at first I could tell myself it was acupuncture. And I also thought it made me sound less crazy to say I have an acupuncturist. I’ve referred other people to her and she’s helped them immensely–I believe the talk component is key. Once you open up a little, others will open up too and from there you’ll get the best referrals to the best practitioners.
I’m suffering the same as you are! Please email me so we can talk about it! I can’t believe someone else is going through this!
This is what I am experiencing. I am a writer and this is such a hinderance struggle with putting sentences in the right context. Reading is a nightmare and I struggle to remember what I just read, like I never read it!! I hold no conversation that is too lengthy. I am seeking natural alternatives to clear brain fog. Has anyone found anything that works?? I do play those brain games. There is little improvement though.
I have a rapidly increasing brain fog that worries me so much, as I have to apologize to at least one person every day. I can’t remember any dates, appointments or tasks for more than a few minutes (literally!). I forget my family’s birthdays as well as my own. I miss important meetings and fail to do things I promised to do and can’t remember what I have to buy when I’m in a supermarket or store. I forget words while I’m speaking. I can’t focus on tasks I love doing. This is so depressing!
It sucks so many people describe what Ive been living with for years but glad I’m not alone. My ability to comprehend simple tasks is getting worse and is a real problem as I work on crew. My brain fog is making my relationship with my coworkers difficult. I feel like I’m viewed as a idiot. Didn’t use to be this bad and still getting worse. Can’t afford to lose my job.
I hear you bud. That’s exactly what I am facing right now… know that you are not alone and I pray things work out for us all.
Wow I am so relieved to have come across this article. I’m struggling big time in my work. I’m not sure if I’m depressed and that’s causing this brain fog?! Who knew there was such a medical condition as brain fog. Just not sure how to go about fixing it so I can concentrate, remember and have clarity in my mind. I miss those things so much!!!
I’m making stupid errors at work that I never dreamt that I would ever make. Not sure if this could be part early on-set menopause or me being 42, or am I depressed. Not sleeping so well because I’m constantly worrying about work. At the moment it seems like a no win situation but I’m working on it. It’s scary!!
I feel the exact same way. However, I had a hysterectomy so I have been going through menopause since 2008 and my memory has gotten worse. To the point that I get anxiety when liking for a job on fear that I’m stupid because I can’t remember anything causing it to affect my learning. I want to tell my doctor but I debate whether to say anything because I feel like it’s always something I’m complaining about. But it’s really that I’ve had all these issues and they only deal with one at a time. I’m SO frustrated with it because there’s not a menopause doctor per se.
I am a young guy, with several learning disabilities, suffers from major depression disorder and probably others but when I work (a real job) I feel like my mind leaves my body and I cannot stay still or concentrate. I feel like I’m unable to catch up with what is going on around me even when there is very little to do. But quite literally as soon as I leave work it’s like everything returns to normal. It’s really frustrating cause I have a hard time supporting myself and I keep performing poorly at work that I’ve been fired and had to quit job because I cannot control this weird feeling when I work.
But I am completely mentally drained by the time I return back to a normal feeling. I have no idea what to do to control it. I the only way I don’t feel that way is if I don’t work but then I’d be homeless (and I’m not to far from that.) I feel like I’m torturing myself every time I go to work and become very irritable because I know that this bad feeling is going to happen and I have no control over it.
Guys – has there been any updates as to what works or helps the most. Recently I was on a gluten free diet and this helped relive symptoms dramatically. However it’s not completely gone. I wonder if there’s a correlation of increased brain fog between people with limited / low exercise? Next on my list is to combine gluten free diet with an hour of exercise a day. But am welcome to hear any success stories…
I have been getting more than adequate rest, sometimes sleeping around the clock. I eat “clean” have very limited amounts of gluten and I exercise 3-6 days per week (depending on my energy levels). I also take a multivitamin, green tea and fish oil supplements daily. I seldom drink. Don’t do any drugs and I still cannot get any solid, consistent relief. I live alone at the age of 39 and I have virtually no consistent support or close relationships.
I don’t want to burden anyone with my cognitive and physical struggles and I don’t think anyone worthy will want to be a regular part of my life because of these struggles. I try to do everything to improve my condition but without any real help and support it is a constant battle. I have even been to several counselors and psychiatrists and a couple regular doctors, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome back a long time ago in my 20’s and diagnosed with Chronic depression and now adult ADD within the last 5+ years.
I even tried to get help with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation center because they consider my depression and ADD disabilities since it has been affecting my life so much for several years. I was put on a waiting list for over a year, finally got off of their list and started getting their help but I guess they didn’t know how to help me either! I also ruined my financial aid for good trying to go to school for my Psychology degree. I have attempted 3 times to go to school part-time while working full-time (because I HAVE to support myself and have no other help or source of income t to fall back on).
I just couldn’t do it. Every time I would try to study after work and on the weekends I would start reading the same paragraph over and over again. I would try to focus and concentrate harder and I would get super sleepy and have to take a nap cuz I would get so exhausted! I failed my classes because I couldn’t finish my homework and get it turned in on time. I kept writing appeal letters to the dean and got letters from my psychiatrist and by the third attempt they told me I was no longer eligible to ever receive financial aid assistance.
Now I have a big bill I owe the college that I can’t afford to pay! I keep going through jobs every 6 months to a year because I can’t keep up with the expectations at work and then I get written up for corrective action, co-workers start getting very frustrated with me and treat me like crap and I keep trying harder but I do worse and it’s never good enough. I have been fired but mostly end up quitting out of fear of getting fired and because my supervisors and co-workers are constantly riding my @ss! I just can’t keep living this way!
I can never seem to get ahead and excel and stay that way anymore! I’m not eligible for SS either I guess because I am usually trying to work. I just don’t get it! I did great back in high school! Never had to study, got a’s & b’s, even wrote for the high school newspaper! I also made the deans list in college for two semesters in a row when I didn’t have to work and was just going to school full-time. I can’t imagine I’m going through all of this for no reason. There’s got to be a reason and a purpose! I just need some help and some relief!
It gave me hope to read your blog reply. I have been facing the exact same issues…at work and outside of work. I quit my last job because of my paranoia/ fear of losing my job and now I am somehow sabotaging my new job as well. I want to do well and contribute but in this process I’ve basically alienated everyone at work… completely to a place where they are openly talking about me. I wish I could change/ turn things around. Here’s good luck to us both and everyone who’s having these brain fog/ depression issues and may things work out for the best.
I felt the need to reach out to you, I hope you are doing okay. I hope this because you are me right now in many of these spaces you have found yourself. I am pushing myself in mindfulness and yoga and meditation now. You didn’t mention any of this, but I can see myself in your shoes and now thats where I have headed off. Into a quest for the silver lining in the world. It has to be there.
Right there with you on a parallel track. Finding some temporary relief with (extremely low doses of) adderall and tyrosine, as well as strictly limiting intake of processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and sugar, as well as soy, gluten, dairy, which all drain me of nutritional resources &/or increase inflammation… and making myself eat lots of leafy greens, usually in green drinks, since I have little appetite or motivation to cook.
More sunlight, water, eggs, and Omega 3. More connection with loved ones. I still struggle with all the things you’ve mentioned, but if I can keep my head above water to do/eat the supportive things each day, it keeps me from falling into a level of physical and cognitive clinical incapacitation… which will result in an episode of clinical depression to boot.
I’m looking into LDN therapy (Low Dose Naltrexone, at 1mg to 4mg micro dose levels) to help decrease inflammation. I encourage you to look into this.
O – Yes exercise and diet has helped me. I had to change my lifestyle a couple years back due to health issues. Now that you mentioned gluten free diet I have not tried that but I will definitely look into it. I attend a group through NAMI and the gluten free diets have been mentioned. I have been suffering with brain fog for many years most of the time it happens in the evening.
To the point that I cannot complete my sentences. I will like space out mid sentence and in my brain I know what I want to say but I can’t say the word. I also get very tired and sleepy, yawning, when it’s really bad I am a but disoriented. Recently there has been a change at work so I feel consumed and have been using up my energy at work. But I hope it gets better in the next couple of days…
I feel that since I have changed my diet and added exercise it has helped. I also take medication for anxiety and attend therapy once a month now. Hope this helps in glad I found this link just frustrating not being able to say what I want to say when I want to say it. And being tired. Ok going to sleep now ?.
February 20, 2016. By the way I have learned through my depression that keeping a schedule of when to do things helps. I think someone previously mentioned something about being all over the place. I’m going to keep a log of how I feel and come back and let you know. I really want to try the gluten free diet. Don’t give up – there is hope guys.
I’m a sophomore in high school and I used to be a straight A’s student until this last trimester. I got two B+’s and one A-. I’ve been experiencing the symptoms mentioned above but I’m not sure if it’s caused by my depression and/or anxiety or if its something else. I have an appointment with my doctor but I’m not sure if I should mention this problem since it feels as if every time I see her I have a new problem.
Last time I went, she diagnosed me with chronic fatigue disorder and prescribed me vitamins for it but either the medicine isn’t working or I’m just getting worse. I’ve tried doing the schedule, but it seems as if completing is just to hard. I’m so stressed out right now because I’ve lost my rank and I’m scared this problem will get worse. Any suggestions?
My wife has been experiencing this on a worsening basis for nearly ten years now. This seems to overcome her every afternoon / evening to the point she’s in a complete stupor within 15 minutes. She then has an awful sleep then with sleepwalking and appearing almost out of body. By 2 or 3 am, she’s returning to normal and by morning, it’s like it never happened.
I’m at my wit’s end as to finding a solution. We’ve tried seemingly everything but to no avail so far. It was very encouraging though to find this blog and at least realize that we’re not the only people who are going through this. Any advice at this point is greatly appreciated.
Richard, I have no idea how long it has been since you posted your comment here…but it sounds as if she was “sundowning”. Have you had her checked for Alzheimer’s disease?
This article describes me to a tee. I googled the symptoms I guess to feel less alone and found this article. I have a condition called newborn baby – well she is 1 year now but not fond of sleeping through the night. Before my little bundle of joy came along I was a very VERY light/restless sleeper borderline insomnia. I am sure my brain fog would improve with exercise (I sit at a computer all day and drive to work) I guess I just wanted to say thanks for the article this helps me realize I am not struggling with this by myself and often times do feel depressed because I see how quickly people can think on their feet when I can’t think at all. Coffee has stopped working, I feel like I need to sleep for a year. But now I am determined to make this situation better by getting my lazy but on a treadmill.
I am 16 suffering from severe brain fog. It is to the point where nothing feels real. My brain acts like it had been overclocked for an extended period of time and shut down. I can’t think much at all and it’s to the point of mild confusion. I can’t sleep, I can’t get tired, I have to take three to four melatonin a night just to sleep. On top of that, if I hold still for too long my hands and feet go numb! I am convinced that I am going to die!
Hi Nicholas, just happened to come across your post as I’ve been very concerned about my state of mind for some time, I have chronic insomnia and sleep deprivation has put me where I am now, I need to take sleeping pills to sleep but still never feel rested but the worst part is the brain fog, the simplest things confuse me so much so that my brain actually hurts, even watching a TV program and trying to understand it will bring on these sensations.
I’m trying to get on top of it, meditation, possibly look into pharmaceutical relief but I really don’t know what to do. I just saw your post and really feel for you, I hope for your sake and mine that we find a solution soon, good luck and take care !!
Hi, Nicholas. My experience with melatonin, has been taking 25 mg, and feeling weakness in my body and brain fog. Recently I’ve found that I have ADD and amphetamine salts have helped me so much, right away after the 1st day I took them. I’m 60 years old, so it might be old age, but all my life I’ve suffered with depression and I’m sure that has caused brain fog in my life. Don’t give up, and keep trying to find what works for you.
I have hypothyroidism w/o Hashi’s (as far as my doc says anyways). Because of all of this I had to leave my job or be fired. It is SO frustrating. I have 3 Master’s degrees and seem to have the mental competency lately of someone who does not have those accomplishments. I’m hoping to get some relief once I officially leave my job. Perhaps being refreshed from some time off will help – I can only hope. My doctor is no help, so finding a new doc is also on my “to do” list while I am off.
Hi Ruthie. My brain fog alarms me enormously. I have been in my new work for 12 months and carry the terror of not being able to anchor simple routine like knowing which meeting includes the whole team and coming prepared. I enter each meeting not knowing what to bring due to the non-connectedness of the activity I engage in… in my own brain… I feel I lack gravitas!
I am exploring the building blocks for neurotransmitters such as Serotonin the building block is Tryptophan and for this I lucked onto a Metagenics product called Proxan (prescribed for me at one a day) and Dopamine the building block is Tyrosine it’s a mood food in powder form 3mgs three times daily. I was feeling better connected after 6 weeks. Yet stopped taking them too early. I believe 3 months is the ideal regime. Back to the regime.
I guess my outcome is equally organic and acquired. Some age and menopause related, some grieving the death of my father and the empty nest syndrome, some work related PTSD and major depression and some stress buying my own house and beginning a new relationship. Although these things are in the past now, recent past that is, the impact is still unbalancing and requiring navigation.
I am in the human services field was a MH nurse for over 15 years including much night duty and shift-work which runs counter to the body clock. The work involved trauma and therapy and opposition and satisfaction. This role provided me with a sense of meaningfulness and a connectedness in the family of colleagues and clients I worked with.
Of course having more to give I did second jobs, ran meditations, volunteer counseling, was a solo Mum, did everything to raise a healthy son and engaged in continual education. Is it any wonder I have brain fatigue. I am now 58 and with all that in the hip pocket – dumb. Yet doing something about it mainly to overcome my crisis of confidence and to feel that I matter to myself my partner and to someone, and that I can keep it together for my work and an adventurous life is my aim.
How and who can help is the question.
Think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned your PTSD, I have it and understand all of your symptoms. Eventually I couldn’t hide my symptoms any longer and couldn’t bare the humiliation they bring, so have insisted on the help of mental health professionals and I also do a lot of self-development via online searches. Finally, I now have hope that one day I will be free of these symptoms and hope you will too.
Just one final point, if you had any childhood difficulties or difficult parent/s, google that too, the more you find out, the more you can understand, then the more you can heal. Love and light to you.
I get this very often, especially when I try to comprehend math. I can’t think or understand anything and it is very frustrating. I am tired a lot and yawn throughout the day even if I had a good night’s sleep. It’s really sad and I wish it would go away.
Sounds exactly like me. I wish I would talk to more people that understand how we are feeling. I hope you get better, but I’ve been like this for a long time.
Hi there I to suffer from this. I have Hashimoto’s thyroid. Its a struggle everyday for me. I constantly feel spacey as if I’m not real. I feel like I’m in a dream and forget where I’m at. I’m also so exhausted and then anxious because I get panic attacks from feeling this way. It’s horrible. Just wish it would get better.
I really can’t explain what I’ve gone through for years and afraid to telly family. I’ve been mentally ill for many years, I did seek help a couple of times. It’s like I make excuses to blank out my mind. I can’t think clearly, there’s always a feeling of suppressing my mind. It’s hard to concentrate and I usually talk myself out of it, but it’s getting worse. I think I need a psychiatrist as I am really depressed from this. What should I do?
This is exactly how I feel put into words. I’m going to ask the doctor about it. Should I get blood tests? How would they diagnose this? How do you treat it and has it gotten any better?
I have Hashimoto’s too. My TSH levels in January were .71 which I think is low. I think I should check them again. Could this have an impact on anxiety and depression (not being able to talk, think clearly, have emotion)?
This is exactly describes what I am going through right now. I found this post as a result of googling to try to figure out what to do about it. The best way I can explain it is that I am trying to think in mud. Trying to think exhausts me and I just want to sleep all the time. My thought process is slow and I have become very withdrawn at work because I can’t keep up. Critical thought, small talk, organization are just completely beyond my capabilities right now. It is depressing.
This is EXACTLY how I am feeling too. I have been experiencing these symptoms for several years now and it is drastically deteriorating my life. I have no insurance to help find out what is going on nor can I afford it now since I am doing so poorly with work and lack the necessary energy to work more hours to earn more money. It’s an endless debilitating cycle and I would LOVE to find some support groups and help at least online to see how others like me are functioning and coping with these ailments. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
I have fatigue/brain fog because I have Lyme disease and hypothyroidism. Just a few possibilities!
What are doing to deal with it? I also suffer thyroid issues and Lyme.
I’ve been dealing with this for a good year now. Ever have those moments when you know what something is but when you go to recall the name or something your mind goes blank… memorize a new word but forget one in its place. I tend to remember things better when I associate them with some kind of little song of sorts, also exercise helps.
Hi Allie, what were your symptoms of hypothyroidism and when did you decide to get tested for it? I am currently experiencing all of the symptoms listed above and am wondering if it has to do with my thyroid.
I agree with a lot of stuff this article says. I’m trying to remember specific moments in my life for a memoir in english class, and I can’t think of a damn thing. It makes me feel like I haven’t done anything in my life, but I mean, I’ve done stuff, but when I am asked to recall, I can’t. I have narcolepsy as well… so I have always been sleeping a lot, so that might go hand in hand with some of this stuff.
I can’t seem to concentrate when writing a song. I just can’t seem to get one started. Normally it would come easily, but now it’s just cloudy and I can’t get anything done.
Oh my gosh, I relate so much to this, Kehsan. I used to write songs all the time. If I was going through a difficult/wonderful time and was experiencing a strong emotion, I would sit down with my guitar and the words would flow out of me. Now, when I go to right song, it’s like I forget all the things I would normally right about. I sit there and think, “I feel nothing.”