Posted by Racer on October 24, 2006, at 13:03:08
In reply to Re: depression » Lindenblüte, posted by sunnydays on October 17, 2006, at 20:45:04
> But it's not that simple. If I could rest, it would be. But I have classes, and tests to study for, and I can't concentrate enough to make myself learn anything. If I could just stare off into space all day I know I'd be fine. I will call the pdoc, I will.
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> Does anyone else ever find it really hard to concentrate when they're depressed?Hi, SunnyBunny, sorry I'm chiming in so late. I've been, um, depressed and anxious and behind in my classes, so, uh, I just saw this now...
And I'm telling you about the depressed and anxious and behind in my classes part so that you know you're not alone there. ;-) Here's some advice: is there a "staring at the wall" thing you do? For me, it's usually knitting. I keep a timer next to my chair, and I set it for a chunk of time -- often one hour -- and study for that time period. Then I set it for another chunk of time, mostly about 15 minutes, which I use for staring at the wall. I'll knit for 15 minutes, or surf Babble for 15 minutes, or obsess about my mental health for 15 minutes, or even literally stare at the wall for 15 minutes. And then I go back to studying.
The benefit of the timer is that I don't get into my "OMG! I have to read this, but I have to do that homework, but I'm not going to be able to write that other thing, and I have to read this RIGHTNOW!" routine, which is what tends to interfere with my concentration. With the timer on, I can say, "OK, I'm only going to read this until the timer dings, and then I'll move on to the next thing I have to do." And the "wall-stare" breaks keep me from getting too wound up, which I would otherwise do if I tried to study without them. (Speaking of which, I really oughta set that timer now, since I gotta deal with trig...)
Anyway, the short answer is, "Yes, I have trouble concentrating and learning when I am more depressed." And the medium length answer is, "Yes, depression bites my backside in terms of learning anything, but it's the anxiety that goes along with it that really devastates me. I've found a few things that do help a bit, though, and maybe you'd find them helpful, too."
Good luck, and I hope you find relief soon.
poster:Racer
thread:695563
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20061012/msgs/697334.html