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I can't concentrate!

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posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 03:47 AM
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I have noticed a developing problem with me in the past say...half year...bit more or less, hard to pinpoint

I used to be an avid reader, be it books, articles, etc..lots of spare time researching new and interesting topics simply to learn something new.
Well, lately (timeframe specified) I find it more and more difficult to read through lengthy articles...forget books, the last book I read was 3 years ago (I blame the net for that however...more interesting researching something than reading a old story..but, now I am unsure if I could even sit down and read a book due to my mind basically too unfocused).

Its gotten progressively worse...going from long papers and articles, to short ones, now reading more than a few paragraphs seems very difficult to me. The concentration literally feels like its being ripped out of my head as I try.

Some things to know

-replaced coke with diet coke a few years back overall as my addiction...weight loss kinda measure..still drink too much of the poison
-I don't watch much tv anymore..occasional movie, and maybe an hour or two a week, plus the daily flip on the news for a bit to make sure the earth didn't explode overnight

I use artificial sweetner in tea and coffee (not aspertime though, truvia..which is supposed to be natural..)

I am somewhat depressed about personal stuff, but I was depressed about personal stuff 5 years ago when I was blowing through book after book..so, dont recon that has much to do with it

I am fairly clever...was once touching on genius level in university, but no doubt I have dulled considerably since then...still, would consider myself in the "not too dumb" catagory.

We drink filtered well water here..or bottled stuff..so no dumb juice from the city to consider.

So what gives...and more importantly, any helpful suggestions to refocus myself? Not fully opposed to trying different meds or vitamins that could help, but I don't want to suddenly become dependent...
Can concentration be attributed by a lack of vitamins? (would research it...but as I said...focus issues...)

also, is there any claims of lacking focus while using synthetic sugars or the like?

And if you have read this whole post, props to you...I probably couldn't. One big gripe is even coming onto ATS, I find it exceptionally difficult to get into subjects I truely want to read more about because of the focus thing.
I am not (very) attention deficit...well, I am a bit..aren't we all I guess, however, its never been a huge problem..now I feel like a moron at times and its quite frustrating.

So...thoughts? Anyone else been feeling this way semi-lately? (last 6 months to a year...)

I could simply be too distracted mind you, am willing to accept the issue is more psychological than anything chemical or environmental...



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 03:55 AM
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It's happening to me too. Now, I'm certainly not a genius (far from it) and I hate artificial sweeteners, rarely drink soft drinks, usually water, juice, milk and of course, some wine in the evening. So maybe those things aren't to blame. My mind always seems to be going in several different directions at all times.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 03:59 AM
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I know where you coming from, in fact i have to force myself to read through an article these days. I think much of it has to do with the changing way in which we consume media. text messaging, tweets, wikipedia, youtube have all had an effect in my opinion. But, If you have depression this can also have an effect on your ability to concentrate. I once had depression and the ability to concentrate on the simplest task can become difficult.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:02 AM
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For the past few months I've been feeling really "dulled." I feel like I don't pay attention to anything as much as I'd like to.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:04 AM
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reply to post by SaturnFX
 


Hey,

I enjoyed your post. I have to say I've noticed the same thing about myself within the last year or two. I used to read all the time sci-fi and fantasy novels mostly. Most of the books I read were in series of at least 3 novels. Then I started reading shorter one off novels instead. From there I started reading collections of short stories. Over the last year I've started several books and haven't been able to read them. I'll get a chapter or two in and then stop (I used to hate doing that even, books I didn't like I had to finish). I started school about that time and I always just attributed it to that. When I read now it's usually only articles from scientific journals or other articles online. I don't really drink pop or use sweetners and I live in Canada where we banned fluoridated water.

Have you recently become busier or more stressed out in your life? That might have somehting to do with it.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:05 AM
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Welcome to old age my friend. Enjoy



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:07 AM
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reply to post by SaturnFX
 


When reading your desription it seems to me that you are way to busy with yourself, let all things go, don't worry about your intellect, looks, hair, personality, or whatever. Then you will see things will get better.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:11 AM
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Best thing to do I believe is take more exercise, go to the gym releases endorphins (spelling). Decrease your use of the internet, cable tv and possibly online porn. But sleep deprevation is one of the biggest reasons for depression - get ur REM sleep cycles into shape, blow off all distractions that will stop you getting 8 hours sleep for at least a couple of weeks. Also you can go to the herbal shop and buy some herb suppliment to stimulate , dont buy any wack stuff - ginseng good.
Depression is something that effects everyone, its a natural thing to various levels of degree. Go and speak to a councilor to get some things off your chest thats stressing you out. Sometimes a experienced 3rd party is better than friends who may or maynot have your best interests at heart.Key to the solutions are always there! Good luck!



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:12 AM
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Originally posted by kro32
Welcome to old age my friend. Enjoy


oi, still in my 30s bucko! heh

and besides, my freaking grandparents generation can focus and concentrate better than me now.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:14 AM
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Originally posted by notimportant
reply to post by SaturnFX
 


When reading your desription it seems to me that you are way to busy with yourself, let all things go, don't worry about your intellect, looks, hair, personality, or whatever. Then you will see things will get better.




looks - haven't shaven in about 3 weeks
hair - I shaved it to near stubble
personality - I have become a hermit overall

I am seeking a step at a time to get back on track...first step, focus.

perhaps I am not busy enough with myself.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:17 AM
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reply to post by SaturnFX
 


I know something better, stop reading this forum and go outside and see all the beauty the illuminati created for us hehehe
! Maybee you even can spot a ufo !

No, just go outside and enjoy life, it's easy !
edit on 17-4-2011 by notimportant because: (no reason given)



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:19 AM
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Originally posted by notimportant

see all the beauty the illuminati created for us


Classic...thanks for that.
I can sleep now that I got a laugh. will catch up with the rest tomorrow.
edit on 17-4-2011 by SaturnFX because: (no reason given)



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:30 AM
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I have the same problem. I blame the internet as it provides so much variety and speed of access that when we sit down to a good old book, it's not quick enough.
We also absorb so much info from the net and sites like this - it makes it difficult for us to hold our interest long enough to read a whole book now. It's like we're wanting to jump around all the time from one topic to the next.

Perhaps it's time for a break - let the brain drain for a while.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:42 AM
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l myself and a lot of people l know are complaining of the same thing. At the risk of being shot down in flames, Chemtrails. Breathing in Aluminum can cause the same symptoms as early Altzeimers. A lot of deodorants have Aluminum in them too, also try to avoid using any cooking pans made of Alumium. lf you have to, use a wooden spoon, not metal utensils as small amounts of the Aluminum can get into your food. l have been taking Korean Ginseng, 600mg.for the last few months, lt takes about a month to start working, lt balances your system. l do feel a lot more alert and my concentration is a lot better too. l hope you feel better soon, take care, Peace starchild.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:50 AM
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I have the same issue although the sudden loss in concentration is more recent and less apparent.
I haven't watched TV in a least four or five months and I don't consume many artificial products. But I've never had my IQ tested,I seem to have a more sufficient intellect than the people around me they even say that it might be between 150-190... But this is only speculation and not absolute as it is current.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:56 AM
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Originally posted by SaturnFX


looks - haven't shaven in about 3 weeks
hair - I shaved it to near stubble
personality - I have become a hermit overall

I am seeking a step at a time to get back on track...first step, focus.

perhaps I am not busy enough with myself.


i am right there with you...well...kinda. for about 3 mo nths now, i've felt my ego slipping away. like i'm shedding it like some cocoon. everything that used to matter/make me happy, now just seems like a distraction. ive started to let a lot of things go, too. i'm an anal bastard by nature. everything neat and clean. lately...my car has trash in it always. i don't care about cleaning place...just keep it manageable. hermit? ha...my desire to be around humans right now is but a memory. i barely feel like i have time to take care of my life, let alone spend time worrying about someone else's life.

i am in my late 20s. normally one of those spot on thinkers. i can usually tell you what you said, 2 weeks ago, what time you said it and during what conversation. lately, i can't remember what i had for dinner last night. my girlfriend and i, along with several other friends, have all been noticing a rise in apathy and lethargy. all we wanna do is relax and focus on ourselves. think. maybe spend time with family.

work...HA! i spend all day at work reminding myself i'm at work and have to work. once quittin time comes around...a sigh of relief. like never before.

yes my friend...we've all been feeling it. there's a lot more that i (and my close friends) have been feeling but in the name of staying on topic, i'll stop with that. if you're interested OP, i'll go more in depth. it has to do with similar feelings/insights into other aspects of our lives but goes along with the idea of recent changes.

also, a lot of us have noticed a change in our sleep patterns. we seem to need less sleep.some of us are noticing a decrease in appetite, too. yeah OP...wanna hear some more "funny" symptoms of some coming change?



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 04:56 AM
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In the past there just wasn't the volume of information that we have now..
its only natural for the brain to recoil from the current amounts of
repetative, redundant, overwhelming,... somewhat missleading
"stuff"...

Like the way Rats won't eat GMO...
because them and their children die from the ersatz information,
oooops, I mean food
( ersatz- www.merriam-webster.com... )



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 05:01 AM
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I'm another one that has been having the same experience for the past few years, it actually feels painful to try and read things these days. I have resorted to audio books, its the only way I can digest some comprehensive information.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 05:09 AM
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Originally posted by Merlot
I'm another one that has been having the same experience for the past few years, it actually feels painful to try and read things these days. I have resorted to audio books, its the only way I can digest some comprehensive information.


I have also gone to audio books, but it's still not the same as reading, you get the information or the story, but it doesn't seen to lodge in the brain the same as reading. It's kind of a lazy way out, but I'll admit to being a bit lazy.



posted on Apr, 17 2011 @ 05:23 AM
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reply to post by SaturnFX
 


You mentioned trying to lose weight. Maybe get your blood sugar checked. If it's consistantly high, you may be diabetic and not know it. The high blood sugar can affect memory and concentration among other things.




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