Can mood / depression change focus?

[JaneCrory]

Hi all,

Just a wee one to pickle your brain - when you are depressed or having mood swings, does your focus switch from one thing to another? And why is this?

To cut a long story short, for a wee while there I was convinced my depression / the way I was feeling was to do with my Mum. I got a lot of things off my chest to her about past issues (which only came to the surface in recent months, despite not bothering me much years ago). But now it feels like the focus of my depression / moods has switched to my dogs. Their barking has been driving me up the wall, whereas before I was able to just let it slide.

I actually grabbed my male dog by his collar earlier and physically screamed right at him, which then upset me as I hated myself for it. Does your brain or mind latch on to something when you're depressed or having mood swings?

[cloudy black]

yes its called rapid thinking n0t sure if i am both anxious and depressed when this happens. also like you reg your mum there is only so far you can go with blaming. anxiety is experienced as irritation to me . do you ever feel like telling someone to fox off? if so that sure is anxiety. or another scenario if you got both anxiety and depression at the same time everything is bleak and the anxiety makes you more likely to be vocal this is something i am recently discovering.

[JaneCrory]

Yes, I feel I have anxiety and depression. But I do think being on the Mirtazapine has made me worse which is why I'm coming off it.

[cloudy black]

just be gradual in your coming off. how long have you been on them? have you got a plan B for when you come off?

[JaneCrory]

The doctor said to take one every other night just to wean myself off them. I'm thinking about starting St John's Wort. A few different people told my Mum they've found it helped them.

[cloudy black]

yes that sounds good with the St Johns wort. but do check the contraindications first. for instance St Johns makes you more sensitive to the sun and also any other drugs you are taking may cancel out their effectiveness and if in the future you have to have any treatment health wise its always best to mention it be that the dentist etc.
i think natural remedies are great but you do need to take a brief time to learn about them first. plenty of excellent sites out there regarding St Johns wort. it always pays to do your homework in these things recommendations are great from friends but then you need to apply wisdom to it!

[JaneCrory]

Yes I had a read up on it, and I've read a lot of positive things about it. Of course I won't 100% know until I try it myself. Fingers crossed.

[RoderickLariviere]

Yes, It is common in anxiety and depression.. Your mood and depression change your focus because your mind is not stable.. Yoga and meditation can help focus your mind and stay calm...

[JaneCrory]

Thank you Roderick x

[JenXO]

Yes you can be irritable, easily distracted, have racing thoughts when in a depressed state.