So... for those who take medication for anxiety and/or depression while studying: since you started taking the medication have you perceived any decreasing in your ability for adding/retaining new memories, making math calculations or working it out in your head(if you can do it, i have a really hard time trying to do the math in my head naturally)?
What was the question again??? Memory and meds are sometimes not a good mix for me.
Meds and my real self functioning in any area of life are not the greatest combination.
Yes, Meds seem to me help the "symptoms," but at what costs? Not money, but cognitive, later damage to other systems in my body, dependance, the worries of having to find something better when this quits working... Or is it really working? I'm a thinker, I'm a digger. I ask tons of questions of myself and of life, so this hits home with me.
Maybe the meds are okay, but the side effects always seem to worsen how I manage my normal life. I'm already a very quiet and somber person, so I'm more like a zombie on meds.
I try very hard to not take my meds (my doc knows this). They are only when I get into one of those head battles that I ALLOW to suck me in, and I cant spin myself out of it.
Overtime I have learned that the anxiety, panic disorder, and depression won't hurt me UNLESS I allow it to do so. Its not real, and yes it seems more than real, but in no case have I been sitting waiting to be a lions lunch (which is anxieties intended purpose to get me out of that). Mine is linked to some really tough childhood PTSD issues and maybe a really tough marriage situation. Who cares? Those situations are not to RULE this moment unless I ALLOW that... On meds I don't have that control. I'm just numb.
I just face those past situations in my head, or in real life, let the anxiety attack happen if its going too, and then do what I have learned to make it leave... and that is IGNORE IT! Immediately go start working out (but get some music rushing in my head). Go to sleep if I need too... I just refuse to let it get much traction in my thoughts...
I cant control my ASD, it is what it is - but anxiety, panic, and depression can be controlled to some extent.
I did that ON HERE the other day, I got depressed, I derailed over some really serious stuff, but I didn't catch it. I gave into it, and had to pay the price. I couldn't think straight and it sucked. ASD is a hell within itself sometimes, but add in trying to live a "normal life" and we get into some big mental messes.
NEVER think that I am telling you to toss or not take your meds (do not do that)... But when this happens just get very aware of what is happening... What were you thinking on that caused you to lapse out of what you needed to be studying, and start reverse engineering it. Then hit the books till it comes back because it will, I'm not going to sugar coat this, like I have some magic formula. Not at all... But we can beat a bunch of it.
Our brains are unthinkably powerful... Every thought we have produces a chemical compound that creates the very reactions we have (either in a good or bad circumstance)... That is the very reason to start reversing the thoughts to get your brain to realize the "feel good" chemicals that walks you right out of this stuff... It takes time and sometimes it still punches me in the head, but overtime I have gotten better and better at it.
I wish you luck, I hope you at least remember to maybe try this next time it comes around... : )