I have been fighting bipolar brain fog. Bipolar brain fog is when you feel scatterbrained or you cannot remember anything. Some of the symptoms are the inability to focus, recalling information becomes difficult, disorganization, groping for words as well as hard to learn new information. These neurocognitive problems can go hand in hand with the more obvious mood and behavioral symptoms that describe bipolar. So for instance, I can have any of the above-mentioned symptoms along with sadness, elation, restlessness, the inability to take care of personal hygiene or recklessness.
I have had bipolar brain fog for a long time. It affects me at work. When I drive. Watching a movie. Reading a book. Interacting with people. My writing. Myself, and other bipolars who deal with bipolar brain fog battle this frustration day in and day out.
This one particular day, I had bipolar brain fog going on. I was scatterbrained at work. Even some simple tasks, I could not remember how to complete. I could not focus and was easily distracted. Everything around me became sensory overload. I felt like my mind was going to explode with all the activity. I thought to myself if my brain were to be opened up, the synapses firing would be liken to a fireworks show on the 4th of July. Usually at the end of these types of days, I feel exhausted.
I have a few go-to techniques that help me when I am in the fog.
- Pray. I pray to get me the heck out of the fog. I also pray for His presence while I am in the fog. Another prayer: Lord, please shorten my time in the fog.
- I do self-hypnosis. My place of serenity is the beach. So, I set my mind on a sandy beach with hypnotic waves, a bright sun in a cloudless sky and I am either lying on the beach under a beach umbrella or walking along the shore.
- Music. I listen to music a lot at work. It helps to focus me and it blocks out the external noise that gets me off task. I have enough eternal noise; I do not need the excess noise to make it harder for me to concentrate.
- Take a break. Whatever you are doing, step away. This will help to clear your head and also help to re-focus.
Here are some websites about bipolar brain fog.
http://blogs.psychcentral.com/bipolar-laid-bare/2015/04/whats-the-word-for-brain-fog/
http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipolar/353293-coping-strategies-bipolar-brain-fog.html