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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2005, at 11:15:12
I can't remember if there is a work board. There should be.
I think I'm heading for difficulties at work. Since the hurricane.
I talk a good game, sound great on the phone, rally everyone, and focus them on where the problems are.
Then I promptly forget everything I said or that was said to me, wander from task to task, or sit down to work and look up several hours later having done about a half hours worth of work, and just putting down that half hour on my time sheet.
So not only is my medical reimbursement (based on the hours I work) and my salary in trouble, but pretty soon now all those promises I've made will catch up with me.
Any suggestions on increasing concentration? I do seem to do better after taking Provigil. But I'm also looking for nonmedication solutions. This isn't an area that I typically have a lot of trouble with. Usually once I coax my attention to a specific area, I concentrate quite well. So I have no strategies in place to deal with it. And I haven't read much on it.
Posted by fairywings on October 22, 2005, at 15:56:34
In reply to Concentration, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2005, at 11:15:12
Hi Dinah,
What's the biggest difference between where you're working now and your normal work environment? What's taking you off task, and can you eliminate those distractions? Maybe keeping a list of the promises you've made right in front of you while you work? Keeping lists of things you have to accomplish?
It's good the Provigil is helping, i'm lost w/o my adderall.
fw
Posted by Sarah T. on October 22, 2005, at 23:26:19
In reply to Concentration, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2005, at 11:15:12
Hi Dinah,
If you are currently on other medications, it's possible that one of those or the combination of some of those meds might be impairing your ability to concentrate. Is it possible to decrease the dosage of anything right now?
As far as non-pharmaceutical methods for improving concentration, I find that exercise helps a lot. In fact, it helps me more than most medications.
S.
Posted by Dinah on October 23, 2005, at 22:40:57
In reply to Re: Concentration » Dinah, posted by Sarah T. on October 22, 2005, at 23:26:19
Yeah, I guess there are other medication reasons that are possible. There have been so many med changes lately, it could be anything.
I'm sure exercise would be good for me on any number of levels. :(
Posted by Dinah on October 23, 2005, at 22:42:48
In reply to Re: Concentration » Dinah, posted by fairywings on October 22, 2005, at 15:56:34
Unfortunately my ability to make lists has gone out the window with my concentration. :) I usually rely a lot on lists. Right now I can't seem to remember to make them, much less refer to them.
I just can't figure out why I do the things I do sometimes.
Posted by fairywings on October 23, 2005, at 23:10:22
In reply to Re: Concentration » fairywings, posted by Dinah on October 23, 2005, at 22:42:48
> Unfortunately my ability to make lists has gone out the window with my concentration. :) I usually rely a lot on lists. Right now I can't seem to remember to make them, much less refer to them.
>
> I just can't figure out why I do the things I do sometimes.Hi Dinah,
You've had a lot on your mind with everything that's gone on with you, your family, job, and T. I don't wonder why your ability to concentrate has gone out the window. I would guess that when you have so many worries and things to think about it's natural that the thinking becomes a little more muddled. I hope it comes back once things are more settled, and you don't have all the worries that you have right now.
The only other thing that really helps me is exercise, and I know that might be the last thing you want to contend with right now. For me, walking at a rate of 4 - 4.5 mph for at least 30 mins. a day is the only thing, other than adderall, that keeps my thinking as clear as it's going to be. Not to mention the need for adequate sleep, which I'm not sure is easy to come by when your mind is on so much. (My diet stinks, so I won't even go there.)
I hope you find some things that helps.
fw
Posted by octopusprime on October 27, 2005, at 5:14:44
In reply to Re: Concentration » Dinah, posted by fairywings on October 23, 2005, at 23:10:22
Dinah, I don't know if you use Outlook at work, but I have found it is a life-saver. (I am using Outlook 2003)
I flag emails for follow-up at a time that I suspect would be convenient. I then promptly forget about the emails until the reminder comes up. Then when the reminder happens, I do something about it.
The task list is pretty good too. I know you said you were having trouble making lists, but this might be easier. As soon as you get off the phone with somebody, open a new task and type 6 words about what you just promised to get done, and set a due date. The reminder goes off at the specified time, do it then.
A program like that is good because:
1. You can schedule tiny tasks for yourself in during times of the day that you are available for work but usually less than productive
2. It reminds you when you get distracted
3. It's ok for you to forget things, the program remembers for youI have skimmed "Getting Things Done" - there is a huge following to this book. Doing a full implementation is too much for me. There was one point I liked in the book - if it takes two minutes or less to do, do it now. A lot of things in work life can be done in two minutes or less and don't take that much sustained concentration. Try to make your tasks smaller and smaller, and make it a challenge to get as much done as possible.
Good luck I know you are having a rough time, sorry I haven't posted much but consider me an invisible friend and Dinah-cheerer
Posted by octopusprime on October 27, 2005, at 5:15:30
In reply to Concentration, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2005, at 11:15:12
Posted by Dinah on October 28, 2005, at 8:59:44
In reply to Re: Concentration » fairywings, posted by octopusprime on October 27, 2005, at 5:14:44
I have just moved to Outlook from my Daytimer, and I think maybe the change is hurting me. Not that Outlook isn't great, but in that I'm not yet so used to using it that it's second nature, yet I'm out of the Daytimer habit too.
My therapist and I have worked out some tiny steps. Like using post it notes to at least remind me to check my task list or to enter phone call information. I'll put the brightly colored post it notes where I can't not see them.
I'm also going to use a timer every hour so that I can think over what I've done and enter my time or do whatever I might need to do in housekeeping. Part of my trouble is that whole chunks of days go by and I look up and have no idea what I've done. I might be able to remember an hour at a time.
I've also decided to back down on the Risperdal a bit. Most of the time I'm less anxious, so I might not need as much at the moment. If I start having trouble again, I can always go back up.
Hopefully these small changes will help me stay enough on task that I can get something accomplished. Apart from falling behind on my work and disappointing people, I also am an hourly worker and am only putting down the time I can justify, even though I know I'm working longer hours than that.
Oh, and I'm going to stop sounding confident and giving optimistic estimates on the phone. :)
I'll look into that book. Thanks!
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