[TheWorldEndsWithYou]

For those who have depression here, how is your concentration and memory? I just find this a very interesting topic.

I have a terrible time concentrating. For example, I really want to continue studying Japanese which I'm passionate about. I worked hard and got an A for GCSE. But though I can't take it for A-Level I want to brush up on new vocabulary but no matter how hard I try I just can't focus - nothing sinks in. So I put my work away but get frustrated about not learning that I take it out and the cycle repeats. It's saddening for me.

My memory is also getting bad. So bad in fact that I can think of something to say in a conversation and then just forget or have a thought and lose it literally a second later.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

I have a lot of problems with both. It's a problem with uni work. I used to be able to skim-read pretty well but now that ability seems to have vanished. My brain seems to be on strike

[TheWorldEndsWithYou]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
I have a lot of problems with both. It's a problem with uni work. I used to be able to skim-read pretty well but now that ability seems to have vanished. My brain seems to be on strike

I understand how you feel. It's like the gears in my brain need to be oiled up because my mental actions seem to be slowing. Even stuff like spelling is getting stupidly bad.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by TheWorldEndsWithYou)
I understand how you feel. It's like the gears in my brain need to be oiled up because my mental actions seem to be slowing. Even stuff like spelling is getting stupidly bad.

My mum thinks it's a side effect of the medication but I feel it's something more serious and long-term than that

[Our_Lot]

It gets worse as the depression gets worse. I can definitely appreciate your language learning problems because it has a similar effect here when I'm trying to get some Russian to sink in but when there are too many negative thoughts buzzing around, it just won't work. It's probably something to do with how depression is so tiring that it makes anything feel like a ridiculous effort.

[TheWorldEndsWithYou]

(Original post by Our_Lot)
It gets worse as the depression gets worse. I can definitely appreciate your language learning problems because it has a similar effect here when I'm trying to get some Russian to sink in but when there are too many negative thoughts buzzing around, it just won't work. It's probably something to do with how depression is so tiring that it makes anything feel like a ridiculous effort.

It's weird how something so mental can become physical. it's not you imagining fatigue either right? I'm just naturally tired. I told a friend I was diagnosed the depression and she advised that I got to the gym but I can't even go running since I just don't have the energy. My psychologist thinks that meds will solve that but... we'll see.

It's even a pain to type

[Exopaladin]

Yeah, I get huge issues with concentration and memory when depressed. Failed/nearly failed exams at university because I just had a hell of a time actually learning/remembering anything. Did get better for the time I was very briefly on the right meds.

[TheSmithsIndeed]

It certainly makes revision much harder than it needs to be.

[Ice_Queen]

I have a lot of problems as well. Sure leads to a vicious circle when you can't focus enough to work.....

[bbq1948]

(Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd)
My mum thinks it's a side effect of the medication but I feel it's something more serious and long-term than that

unfortunately you are right it's a symptom of the depression

[Sabertooth]

Yep problems here too, I blame my 2:2 firmly on my complete inability to concentrate or work. Not so sure the meds are entirely innocent either, I'm on antipsychotics and mental dulling is a pretty common side effect.

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

(Original post by Sabertooth)
Yep problems here too, I blame my 2:2 firmly on my complete inability to concentrate or work. Not so sure the meds are entirely innocent either, I'm on antipsychotics and mental dulling is a pretty common side effect.

Thanks for making this post: I had no idea mental dulling was a common side effect. Clearly going to have to speak to my psychiatrist about that

My 2.2 was due to disastrous health as well

[concubine]

Concentration is no problem when I'm doing things.


Motivation can be.

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

I was depressed all through sixth form and I also got all low grades in everything. Not entirely sure if there's a link but I think it's possible there could be.

[Another_Girl]

(Original post by TheWorldEndsWithYou)
For those who have depression here, how is your concentration and memory? I just find this a very interesting topic.

I have a terrible time concentrating. For example, I really want to continue studying Japanese which I'm passionate about. I worked hard and got an A for GCSE. But though I can't take it for A-Level I want to brush up on new vocabulary but no matter how hard I try I just can't focus - nothing sinks in. So I put my work away but get frustrated about not learning that I take it out and the cycle repeats. It's saddening for me.

My memory is also getting bad. So bad in fact that I can think of something to say in a conversation and then just forget or have a thought and lose it literally a second later.

I can relate to this a lot. It's like I forget what I'm thinking about as I'm halfway through thinking it. Really struggle to keep a clear train of thought sometimes.

[Katy100]

I have OCD and comorbid depressive episodes and find it very difficult to concentrate and memorize when ill- I'm not sure whether it's an effect of underactivity of various areas of the brain or whether it's just processing difficulty because the brain is working on other things (e.g. depressive thoughts etc).

Has anyone found anything that helps concentration and memory? Do anti-depressants tend to worsen rather than improve it?

[iamjustjess]

my concentration and memory has really been affected by my depression but i dont know what would help fix it. prozac made my perceived cognative abilities worse so i am getting taken off it for that reason.

[Katy100]

oh really? I was considering starting on fluoxetine but I might not then!