Do you ever feel like your mind will implode? Mostly, from information or sensory overload? It seems the older I get, the harder it is for me to prioritize information which makes me concerned about my cognitive reasoning abilities i.e. am I going senile or getting slow? Is this normal or as a result of some disease? For example, I've read about addiction models and treatment efficacy as it relates to these models but my mind keeps wandering to the last email I had from my mom, or the noisy inconsiderate neighbors who are fixing their car in my driveway without permission. Then, I have to wonder, how much of this info that I read is actually being retained and when it comes to proving retention, will I be able to do this?? I think no but, sometimes, surprise myself by pulling it off. But it feels like luck rather than skill! In the mean time, who knows if laundry gets done, I forget to feed myself, the dog is just staring at me for attention and only hubby knows where hubby is!!!! Is it just me or what! |
I know that I have a much harder time now that I'm older. Things I used to do take much longer, like reading books or writing a paper. I'm pretty sure it's just part of getting older. |
Are you trying to take on to much in your daily life? |
It is the aging process! I have also realized that not only are my retention capabilities diminished, so is my enthusiasm for giving a damn! I just dont care about all the things that used to spur me into action. My brother says he can see that I am mellowing with age....."causes" are not so life and death important to me. I seem to be sorting thru my battles with much more deliberation.....I often find myself now opting to take the path of less resistance.....There are a few things that get me stirred up....like a neighbor that does auto repair in MY driveway without permission!!!.....but I have to admit, with all the political correctness issues, the political and religious course this country is careening down, has got me absolutely catatonic and just short of paralyzed in trepidation....I watch as control over everything important in my existance, is no longer relevant or important to the majority.....it is all just slipping away, almost inperceivably, just a very little at a time.....like putting a frog in a pot of warm water....then turning the heat on slowly. The frog will adapt to the warming water, to a temp that would kill another frog if dropped into that pot.....the slow, gradual, gentle warming of the water, almost to the point of boiling, seems acceptable to the frog that started out in that pot.....that is how I imagine myself....just acclimating to situations and ideas that 10 years ago would have caused me to 'take up arms and defend my position"!!! Now? Cant do anything about it, why even bother wasting my time or energy trying. Leave it to the youngbloods....they are the ones going to be stuck swimming around in this pot of boiling water, trying to survive, telling themselves, "This isnt too bad....could be worse.....". |
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You said it sista! LOL |
We only think like this and begin to voice our concerns about it only as we begin to age. I noticed as I began to age I had more and more ADD-like times yet could focus on a subject of intense interest better than I ever could when younger. Seems like the averaged aging person best retains what is of vital interest to them or what happens in moments of intensity and the rest fades with the occasional glimmer of odd facts or occasions we remember for who knows what reason and can seemingly retain forever. |
We are all subjected to sensory overload, regardless of age. I have two suggestions that I have found to be helpful: Meditation, and pay attention to diet and exercise. Six months ago I shifted my diet to low carb, sugar free, which tends to also be low in gluten. My brain fog went away, and so did 20 lbs, and I have more energy. Misty, I am much older than you, and can honestly say that I think sugar and carbs are like poison to the brain (and body). I too wondered if my brain function was fading due to age or disease, but am happy to say with dietary changes I am sharper than ever and so much happier too. |
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I need to reduce my sugar intake, but I can't go too low with carbs or I risk feeling sick. I think we are all built a little differently and have slightly different requirements. Like our doggies, we have to find the diet that works best for us. |
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Hi all! Wow, I think I went into rant mode so didn't expect to see so many replies but thank you so much for all of your useful tips and insight! I haven't been eating right, this is true. I've had gastritis/ulcer issues so I don't know WHAT is right until my appointment with a specialist which isn't for another month. I'm sure my diet probably plays a big part in my attention span - thank you for pointing that out!!!! Also, yes. I have tons going on right now. I resigned full time work so I could concentrate on my degree but staying home has its own host of responsibilities. They were easy to ignore when I was gone 8 hours a day and now they kind of stare me in the face and make me feel incompetent if I don't deal with them i.e. keeping the house spotless, cooking wholesome meals etc. That doesn't sound taxing but combined with 8 hours of research every day, health problems, anxiety re: these health problems, hubby between jobs and waiting for interview results, me waiting for him to get a job so I can get a job etc...it's like I don't have the capacity to FOCUS. Truly appreciate all of your suggestions. I think meditation would be ideal and I keep telling myself that I'll do it but then I don't have time but I do, but I don't.... Aren't you glad you don't have my brain :D Plus, if I'm this bad at 35.............I'll apologize to my family now as I'm not getting any younger! |
Do you ever feel like your mind will implode? Mostly, from information or sensory overload? Yes! I still load up on info though. We had some pretty important, to me, legislation here in Washington state recently that really got me fired up, fishing/resource related. I go for long walks to wind down or relax, I may even sit on a park bench with out even being tired now and again. |
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Meditation IS indeed amazing...now if I could just stick to it, ugh! I get lazy. Misty -- when I was around 35, that's when I too started to notice some cognitive changes, and it is rather disturbing...now I'm 47 and I have to put a post it next to my bed to remind myself of my name in the morning :D. |
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I'll be 83 in a couple months and if I didn't have a calendar to keep me going to the right place on the right day, I'd be in Tim Buck 2:thumbs up |
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Well, I have so many post it notes stuck all over my wall at my computer desk and my bathroom mirror, plus a calendar, to keep me at least on the right day, right month, they are beginning to double up on top of each other! I am 66 in April....I have lived on a lo carb diet since Atkins came out with it in the 60's I think....maybe it is too much sugar and no meditation time, although, I call my meditation time sitting watching a cork bob on the surface of any body of water!....or just plain old senile dementia! The rate I am going, at 83, I wont remember to put sticky notes up and mark a calendar to keep me on the rails! |
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