So this is a bit of a personal problem...

DaDrew2112 · #1 11-13-2011, 10:18 PM

So i have been having this problem lately. I feel very scatterbrained like i'm not quite "there". I used to be a smart kid but recently I've felt quite dumb actually. I'm a stock-boy at a local supermarket and I've just been unable to find items, slow in mind, and often can't think of what to do next. (been working there about 3 months) I'm so frustrated because i feel like I've literally gotten less intelligent in a span of a few months. I don't sleep as much as i should, but i feel like i get enough that i shouldn't be affected. Any thoughts on this? Is it just me, because I'm getting increasingly stressed and frustrated.
-Andrew

curbowkid · #2 11-13-2011, 10:20 PM

I have the same thing. I've been at my job for about 7 months now and I feel like a total moron 50 percent of the time because I can't think and at times can't remember simple things. I understand how you feel, it's quite stressful and aggravating

iammr2 · #3 11-13-2011, 10:51 PM

Quit smokin' that stuff!

Lonesomedave · #4 11-14-2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iammr2

Quit smokin' that stuff!

or at least cut down to a reasonable level...

don't discount the fact that you said you are not getting enough sleep. lack of sleep can give you exactly the symptoms you describe. try getting at least 8 or 9 hours a day for a couple weeks and see if it doesn't improve.

runmikeyrun · #5 11-14-2011, 01:16 AM

agreed- lack of sleep or a disturbance in sleep patterns can really mess with your head. Imagine being a paramedic switched to nights, yeah I couldn't figure out why I was forgetting to do simple stuff at times... not patient care-related, but finding equipment, driving directions, etc. My sleep got all screwed up and my brain was just not happy about it.

Also not sure if you're taking any medication but that can do it too. I took Depakote for a while and it literally made me feel retarded. I had to think hard to remember the simplest things.

If it persists more than a few weeks after consciously adjusting your sleep you should see a doctor. Could be anything from adult onset ADHD to a brain tumor.

Actium · #6 11-14-2011, 08:19 AM

Working a job that doesn't require you to think can make your mind dull. Pick up a hobby or do something regularly that exercises your brain and makes you think and problem solve.

At least that's one thing you can do on your own without having to pay to see a doctor so he can load you up with expensive and useless pills.

i_got_a_mohawk · #7 11-14-2011, 08:22 AM

The brain, just like the body, needs exercise too.
Physical exercise also helps you mentally.
Diet can be a big contributing factor.
Sleep is certainly a major one too.

Worst comes to worst, see a doctor.

Tituscrow · #8 11-14-2011, 09:23 AM

Try a crossword or sudoku or something 5 minutes at a time during your breaks.

Granted, your job doesn't sound intellectually challenging, but your brain will dumb down unless you keep it stimulated.

Oh, and a big plus one to the above on disrupted sleep patterns.

Good luck

hrodbert696 · #9 11-14-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

The brain, just like the body, needs exercise too.
Physical exercise also helps you mentally.
Diet can be a big contributing factor.
Sleep is certainly a major one too.

Worst comes to worst, see a doctor.

+1, hits all the points I would have mentioned.

DaDrew2112 · #10 11-14-2011, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. just starting to get a little frustrated. im going to start reading books again, i think that will help me out quite a bit as well.

BassMom88 · #11 11-14-2011, 11:23 AM

If these symptoms are fairly new to you, you really may want to consider seeing your doctor. All the reasons mentioned so far could be contributing factors. Also...if you've had any sort of fall, sports accident, bump on the head, or even a minor auto accident...that could possibly be a mild traumatic brain injury and would present as you are describing....it sometimes doesn't appear or be noticeable to the person for a few months and may have never been diagnosed. As an occupational therapist, I have done many cognitive evaluations for people in that situation. Old routines are no problem...but once they start something new, it can be very challenging and frustrating. I'm hoping this is not your situation, but just thought I'd put it out there. You may also want to get your vision checked if you haven't in a while.
Best wishes! Hope things get better for you!

**jmattbassplaya** · #12 11-14-2011, 11:39 AM

Sub'd. I've been in the same boat for a while now. I thought it was just a phase but it has been going on for about 6-8 months.

Jim Nazium · #13 11-14-2011, 11:54 AM

odin70 · #14 11-14-2011, 12:10 PM

Go see a doctor. You could have diabetes etc. etc.

XtreO · #15 11-14-2011, 12:12 PM

A year in the military messed me up in much the same way. Made me forgetful of things I weren't explicitly told to remember, had to make more of an effort to understand things than I used to. Took about 3 months to snap out of, though I think being a bit forgetful will stick with me the rest of my life

Perhaps it's the routine that messes us up. At least when the routine I had for a year ended and I had to actually use my brain, it got a lot better very quickly. Try reading introductory philosophy or something that makes you think (but not in a boring way - perhaps find something other than that on second thought), and see if it gets better.

As for the sleep part, I've never felt that affects anything as long as I feel awake when doing something I need to learn. Being sleepy when learning though, that kills the learning. Though you might say sleeping little makes you sleepy more often, but it's the sleepiness that's the killer not the lack in sleep in itself. Though I suppose my subjective view has been scientifically disproved countless times.

Icey101 · #16 11-14-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMom88

If these symptoms are fairly new to you, you really may want to consider seeing your doctor. All the reasons mentioned so far could be contributing factors. Also...if you've had any sort of fall, sports accident, bump on the head, or even a minor auto accident...that could possibly be a mild traumatic brain injury and would present as you are describing....it sometimes doesn't appear or be noticeable to the person for a few months and may have never been diagnosed. As an occupational therapist, I have done many cognitive evaluations for people in that situation. Old routines are no problem...but once they start something new, it can be very challenging and frustrating. I'm hoping this is not your situation, but just thought I'd put it out there. You may also want to get your vision checked if you haven't in a while.
Best wishes! Hope things get better for you!

+!

Jinro · #17 11-14-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

I don't sleep as much as i should, but i feel like i get enough that i shouldn't be affected. Any thoughts on this? Is it just me, because I'm getting increasingly stressed and frustrated.

Too much sleep can have the same effect.....affect (i r gud @ speling). In recent months I have been absolutely unable to wake up before racking up 9-11 hours of sleep, and I'm experiencing the same side effects you are.

kanonfodr · #18 11-14-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtreO

A year in the military messed me up in much the same way. Made me forgetful of things I weren't explicitly told to remember, had to make more of an effort to understand things than I used to. Took about 3 months to snap out of, though I think being a bit forgetful will stick with me the rest of my life

7 years so far of being in the military has made me damn near a moron. I think it's the people I worked with (fairly dim) and the fact that I was hitting my head on a lot of things.

Peace,
Greg

macaroni tony · #19 11-14-2011, 03:05 PM

Same thing here. I was always as sharp as a tack, and did quite well in school...as of late, I am just a bumbling idiot. Can't get my thoughts out properly and sometimes stutter, get numbers mixed up in my head, go into a room and forget what I went there for...all the usual suspects.

Getting older, lack of sleep, different work habits all contribute to this kind of stuff. I'm hoping it's just that, and not that I'm getting the old-timers

**Thor** · #20 11-14-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaDrew2112

Thanks for the advice guys. just starting to get a little frustrated. im going to start reading books again, i think that will help me out quite a bit as well.

Get the full physical first.

Actually, I think that does help, reading books is very stimulating. I get some of my best sleep when I sit down to read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtreO

A year in the military messed me up in much the same way. Made me forgetful of things I weren't explicitly told to remember, had to make more of an effort to understand things than I used to. Took about 3 months to snap out of, though I think being a bit forgetful will stick with me the rest of my life

Perhaps it's the routine that messes us up. At least when the routine I had for a year ended and I had to actually use my brain, it got a lot better very quickly. Try reading introductory philosophy or something that makes you think (but not in a boring way - perhaps find something other than that on second thought), and see if it gets better.

As for the sleep part, I've never felt that affects anything as long as I feel awake when doing something I need to learn. Being sleepy when learning though, that kills the learning. Though you might say sleeping little makes you sleepy more often, but it's the sleepiness that's the killer not the lack in sleep in itself. Though I suppose my subjective view has been scientifically disproved countless times.

There isn't a regular member on this board that believes this. We all know that posting the I came out of the Closet thread was the onset of your mental disconnection to reality.