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shutterbug · 07-03-2006, 06:02 PM

There are many possiblities for the problems you mention...ADD/ADHD or stress or a more significant issue.

There are lots of links to thread in my journal where you can find great info about ADD/ADHD....which tends to have some similar things like what you are describing.

I am bipolar and am recovering from my second major depression and in the midst of it lacked all focus and memory that I couldnt' even drive without forgetting where it was I was driving to. And many times, like you said, comprehending a single line of text took me 1/2 an hour or more.

If you have insurance I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND making an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as possible - general docs just don't have the training and knowledge to be able to help patients dealing with these kinds of issues. Mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, depression and ADD - and others) tend to go hand-in-hand with addiction. In fact, about 85 percent of all bipolars also have addiction problems. Some think this is because we try different ways to self medicate - even though we don't realize that's what we are doing. It is often the case that a person's mental illnesses become hidden or masked by their addictions...so when they sober up...a whole bunch of simingly new problems rise to the surface.

Seeking out a correct diagnosis for what's going on with you right now is MOST important b/c IF YOU ALSO ARE BATTLEING A MENTAL ILLNESS -- THEN YOUR CHANCES OF STAYING SOBER ARE VERY, VERY LOW UNLESS YOU ADDRESS THE MENTAL ILLNESS ALSO!!!

I don't say that to scare you or make you lose hope, not in the least, - but rather it is arming you with the knowledge you need so that all your efforts so far are not wasted and so you can truely have a happy and wonderful future with some work on your part.

07-03-2006, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	There are many possiblities for the problems you mention...ADD/ADHD or stress or a more significant issue. There are lots of links to thread in my journal where you can find great info about ADD/ADHD....which tends to have some similar things like what you are describing. I am bipolar and am recovering from my second major depression and in the midst of it lacked all focus and memory that I couldnt' even drive without forgetting where it was I was driving to. And many times, like you said, comprehending a single line of text took me 1/2 an hour or more. If you have insurance I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND making an appointment with a psychiatrist as soon as possible - general docs just don't have the training and knowledge to be able to help patients dealing with these kinds of issues. Mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, depression and ADD - and others) tend to go hand-in-hand with addiction. In fact, about 85 percent of all bipolars also have addiction problems. Some think this is because we try different ways to self medicate - even though we don't realize that's what we are doing. It is often the case that a person's mental illnesses become hidden or masked by their addictions...so when they sober up...a whole bunch of simingly new problems rise to the surface. Seeking out a correct diagnosis for what's going on with you right now is MOST important b/c IF YOU ALSO ARE BATTLEING A MENTAL ILLNESS -- THEN YOUR CHANCES OF STAYING SOBER ARE VERY, VERY LOW UNLESS YOU ADDRESS THE MENTAL ILLNESS ALSO!!! I don't say that to scare you or make you lose hope, not in the least, - but rather it is arming you with the knowledge you need so that all your efforts so far are not wasted and so you can truely have a happy and wonderful future with some work on your part. __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).