Stressy-brain Problems?

[stormdog]

Several times lately, I have been unable to find my pill splitter when it was sitting in plain sight on my bedside table. Yesterday, knowing this had happened before, I'd thought I'd looked on the nighstand carefully for it and couldn't find it. I got on the floor and looked for it in case the cat had knocked it down, but it wasn't there. I looked again on the nightstand and it was sitting right there. I don't know why I keep having this same problem.

Today, I made ramen for myself and I couldn't remember whether it's something I eat with a spoon or a fork. I stood there looking at it trying to remember what utensil I was supposed to use and finally asked Miriam.
I'm still having a lot of trouble concentrating on learning new things, too. I don't know what to make of this, but I don't like it.

A Facebook friend says it's stress. I hope she's right, and I hope it goes away when (if?) I ever have less stress in my life. Earlier today, I found myself lying on the couch while Miriam napped in the bedroom and just asking myself "Is this my life now?"

Comments

[acelightning73]

That's stress. You brain is so intent on making sure you're not in danger that it overlooks small bits of information. That happened to me after I had the congestive heart failure and the stroke. I was afraid it was caused by the stroke - my brain is the most important part of me - and the neurologist told me it was stress, try "going for a walk , or meditating." (I don't go for walks. I'm a very bad Pagan - I hate the outdoors! It's always too sunny or it's raining, too hot or too cold, the air is full of allergens and biting insects (and diesel truck exhaust), the ground is uneven and makes me stumble. I do know how to meditate, but the effect only lasts a short while afterwards. The neurologist prescribed medical cannabis, which is just fine with me.

[stormdog]

I'm glad there was a solution that works for you.

I've always been afraid of mind-altering substances. Literally afraid of them. The idea of some external thing making my brain do things is distressing. I realize that's basically irrational since just about everything we consume, or don't, affects the functioning of the brain. But I've never been interested in alcohol or cannabis, or anything else like that.

If you'd asked me up until recent times, I'd have said that seemed unlikely to ever change. At this point, if I thought it would work, I might just try anything. I already self-medicate with food a lot though. I have some concern I'd overdo it with something like cannabis too, and just replace one problem with another.

What I could really use is a year or two without any major trauma or disaster happening, and without having to be in near-complete social isolation, and without seeing my partner in chronic, often disabling pain. I'm not holding my breath on those...

[acelightning73]

It's fairly easy to learn how to meditate. Meditation is changing your own state of consciousness, under your control. Instead of taking a drink or a pill, you just order your brain to "Relax!" - and in a snap of your fingers, it does. Takes some practice, though.