Lack Of Focus, Concentration, And Motivation

[Anna Roberts]

I'm not a student and I'm unemployed due to my PTSD, and I can't go out much because of severe agoraphobia. I try to keep myself busy with artwork, scrapbooking, and free online courseware through Coursera and Khan Academy, but some days I just have no motivation and feel like dwelling on my trauma all day long instead of doing anything else. Other days, I'm motivated, but I'm too tired and I can't focus or concentrate on anything. My mind wanders, my thoughts stray to everything bad that happened to me, and I end up just giving up. Does anyone have any tips/advice on how I can improve and increase my motivation, focus, and concentration?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

What helped me a lot was forcing myself forward at times even when I didn't want to work on healing. I was at a point where if I didn't force myself through things, I wouldn't have been able to eat. (Living alone, had to go out to get food, etc.) I would set up a schedule so that I'd have days where I'd force myself to do things such as walk down the street to get food, go to the grocery store and drug store, and then have a rest day (or two). I don't know how bad your agoraphobia is, but at that time, mine was pretty bad. I'd have panic attacks when thinking about going out, more panic attacks when preparing to go out, panic attacks when I was actually out, and then another one once I got home. It was exhausting! (And you can see why I needed so many rest days!) Now I am not living alone, and I don't have the necessity of forcing myself to move forward.....well, not quite so much. I can slack and still have food, so the urgency isn't there. I can definitely see a difference in the learning curve before versus now. That is, if I was agoraphobic now, I know I wouldn't be pushing myself nearly as hard because I'd still have people here to get me through the worst of it. I'm not saying to push yourself 24/7, but I think that pushing ourselves is a good thing. It helps us to heal.

 

[Anna Roberts]

What helped me a lot was forcing myself forward at times even when I didn't want to work on healing. I...

Thanks for the advice. I have been pushing myself to go out and do things even when I don't feel like it. There are just some days that I just can't fight, though.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I certainly identify with you @Anna Roberts I've tried many things over the years to improve my day to day functioning. Taking courses really helped me cognitively. Working part time ( I'm disabled too) focuses my attention and helps me not isolate. I'd be really lost without that. But I'd have to say that what has been the best thing for me is yoga. My yoga teacher told us that yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. Bringing attention to breathing activates both the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic which is the calming quality of the nervous system., those of us that suffer from anxiety spend too much time with the sympathetic system in overdrive. It's exhausting!!!! I understand that you have difficulty leaving home. There are yoga workouts on cable channels. You could check that out. Or get a DVD. I am very centered on my own practice and do not chat after class. I just like to go home and relax. There is a lot of scientific support for using yoga to overcome symptoms of PTSD. I have noticed that people interested in yoga are very kind and respectful. Class size is limited so perhaps someday, you might be able to attend a class. There's no judgement!

I also get a Reiki treatments. This is to help rid me of negative energy that does not serve my greater good. I sleep better and have more energy. There are, of course, days that I can't get moving. I'm depressed and having intrusive memories or flashbacks. I can never predict them and they really piss me off. Some days I get nothing done. I have a history of self harm. It's a good day if I haven't wanted to cut due to extreme emotional distress.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it helpful and I wish you well.

 

[Anna Roberts]

I certainly identify with you @Anna Roberts I've tried many things over the year...

Thank you so much for you advice. I've been thinking about trying yoga and meditation. Perhaps I will start tomorrow or later today.