Concentration Problems

Thanks for your reply. I will try that out.

Did anybody use poetry to cope with anxiety ?

As someone who reacts poorly to medications, particularly those that work in the brain, my priority would be to try everything possible before going down the medication route. There are some great suggestions already on this thread - breathing, meditation, mindfulness, yoga - I would add getting plenty of outdoor time and outdoor exercise. Even if you don't think you are creative or artistic, engaging in any kind of art or creative endeavor that speaks to you is great for building concentration and staying in the moment. I engage in artistic projects from the small - painting flowers/animals - to the large - making quilts - and they are stupendous concentration builders, satisfying and rewarding. Writing is great therapy, write about what troubles you or write about what you love. What are you grateful for? Fiction, non fiction, poetry, it's all good. Doesn't matter if it's "good" - it's just for you unless you choose to share with a wider audience. Adequate sleep, which ironically is the thing I struggle with most, is the single most therapeutic thing I can think of. Have you done or considered talk therapy? Acupuncture? Hypnosis? Reiki? I'm seeing the benefit looking past western medicine, looking past PILLS> Recognizing they are necessary and helpful for some, every med I have ever tried has made me feel worse, often in the short run, always in the long run. There is often a withdrawal from all of them, which could be as simple as a short taper, that docs often don't tell you about. I've been down that road, I am still down it because of the withdrawal syndrome associated with my med, it is hell. If I had it to do over, I'd try everything before I'd settle for drugs.

Insight Timer is helpful to me. Good luck!

@johneckenrode11
Thanks for that helpful video. I'm guessing that you inhale during one chime and exhale with the next one.

Thanks you for your reply. I thought the withdrawal syndrome is just a few days. Have you ever tried adderall or Bupropion?

I tried adderall just for one day and I have noticed that I start to laugh during my sleep. Which was a little bit weird, because I usually never do that.

No I have not tried Adderall or Bupropion. All the AD's I tried - Trazadone, Mirtazapine, Sertraline made me sick and had no therapeutic value, but I am extremely sensitive to meds. I'm not ADHD. My understanding is that, if you don't have ADHD, Adderall actually disrupts concentration, makes you jittery, etc. Do you have ADHD? Also a doctor wouldn't prescribe unless you are diagnosed. As I said, withdrawal from any drug that affects the brain can be very difficult - or it can be quite easy - for me it has been very difficult and I'd hate to see you go through a difficult withdrawal on top of your other issues. These drugs also have strange and sometimes really uncomfortable side effects, making the cure worse than the condition you're treating. If you choose to go on a drug I certainly wish you the best with it, I'm just saying that none of these drugs are benign, they all potentially have side effects and/or uncomfortable withdrawals. So I'd love to see you try some non-drug things suggested on this thread before you go down that road. Do you have a doctor you can talk to about it?

Yes , I have a psychiatrist. He also said it is better that you try therapy , meditation and sport. He gave me a prescription for a very low dose Adderall. He said you can take it for a few weeks if you feel that you really need it , but I prefer that you try other things like mindfulness, journaling and yoga.

I will only take it for a few weeks if I really feel that I really need it . At this moment I don't need it. I guess few minutes meditation and yoga each day will help me a lot. Focusing on my breath calms me a lot.

For me something I WANT to understand Because it matters to me for some specific reason, whether to fix a vacuum cleaner or fentanyl overdose death problem, the interest and purpose behind the thing that needs attention is crucial. Otherwise it's like listening to background music, which often is Intentionally not requiring of attention. I understand ADHD is often found in school kids but once an adult, LIFE teaches us to choose where we NEED attention, for work, higher education, looking after children, etc

I also play for fun Sudoku Puzzles; it needs really good attention and the reward after solving a Hard New York Times Sudoku is worth feeling Goood about oneself.

So I guess whatever your life direction happens to be is important; if there is not much that in itself is not good to live an enjoyable And worthwhile life. We all need to feel that we are needed, are not superfluous. Such purpose then translates into seeking good health and alert mind to accomplish your goals. This is how it works for me, in an 8th decade old body, fit enough thank goodness, to seek my direction in life. Hope it helps you!

Have you tried

I love to write and read poetry for stress.
Shari