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I have trouble with reading books for exam, brain block, feeling groggy

Posted , 4 users are following.

NZT
NZT

Hello, this is my first post in this forum. I am now studying medicine, 3rd year medical student.

I've been suffering from exam preparation every time. The problem is that when I read, I felt like I was just reading words in my brain without comprehension... even though I tried and my brain tells me like `Okay...this makes sense` and that's it. I forget almost everything I've read the very next day.

However, on rarely occasion, I feel like my brain is so bright and clear that I could read and understand anything. I don't know how to explain it...but I just feel smarter for a short time. Even what I've read before and I thought I couldn't remember, now it comes and flows. This feeling fades away the day after and I felt dumber again.

This `Brain block` thing happens to me almost all the time. Especially in the examination room. I always feel agitated and every thing I've learnt seems to be all messed up together. I really don't know what to do. I think I really can do this better before. And now I felt dumber and dumber every day.

I've been diagnosed with OCD and anxiety before I study medicine. When I enter the university and started studying medicine for a year...I developed some depressed feelings. I am now taking Venlafaxine 75mg augmented with Seroquel (Quetiapine) 25mg for these symptoms. I don't know if these troubles are because of 'ME', anxiety/depressive symptoms or because of the medicine I take.

I've once ever wish to be a good doctor, but my body seems not to support me that much.

Please help.

2 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • borderriever
    borderriever NZT

    Posted

    NZT

    These medications can cause lack of concentration especially in the early days of the medication. I always tried not to take these medications at college because of that.

    One thing I did find when studying was to cut up various subjects in smaller bits and restrict my studying to smaller bites of work then move onto another subject. I would also study for say three hours then take a break for a cup of tea, then go back and just read what I had been studying before break. Then go onto another section  and start studying again.

    I tried not to cram

    BOB

    • NZT
      NZT borderriever

      Posted

      Thanks, BOB

      I've been taking those medications for months (actually I've tried almost every SSRI, SNRI before). There was an off-period when my psychiatrist told me. The brain fog was still there like it has always been.

  • play2day
    play2day NZT

    Posted

    You might try making sure that your diet includes enough omega3 fatty acids to facilitate optimal brain function. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is found in salmon. It supposedly reduces oxidative stress and enhances synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. DHA is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in cell membranes in the brain. EPA is also helpful.

    I add "omega oil" to my green smoothies. It seems to help me to memorize music.

    I would stay away from any neurotropic medication.

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