Brain Paralysis

Just Bill

Lately I get chair locked where I just can't get started. I stall on just about every activity I need to do. Once I am underway I am fine, getting out of the chair is the challenge. In golf if you have too many thoughts before you swing the club you will probably stiffen up and make a mistake. This is called paralysis by analysis. You basically get in your own way mentally. I think that is what is causing this. Half my brain knows it has a full schedule of activity that has to get done and the other half of my brain is on 24 hr alert status for my wife. It is trying to go 2 directions at once stalling in the chair again. There is no stalling in an emergency situation, if it isn't an emergency well it's just harder finding the motivation to leap out of the chair.  Zoning out is part of my daily activities. Not sleeping, but just processing information. Running scenarios and responses through my head. Where am I ? What am I doing ? Am I on schedule ? Have I missed anything ? If all systems are go and all the lights are green we can do a chair launch and check off the next item on the never ending list. Or escape to exercise or meditation which I am doing more and more of whenever and wherever I can which contributes to the chair lock post work out zoning that occurs. Anyway I am staring off into space a lot more lately.

Ed1937

Bill, I know what you're talking about. I couldn't get anything done either. After my wife passed, it was still the same, but it is finally getting a little better after 2 months. It's just slowly coming back to where I should be. Still have a ways to go, but it's getting better.

jfkoc

I understand too.

Rescue mom

That 24-hour high alert status, and mental run-through of scenarios involving a mobile PWD in the house, can have seriously bad effects on your (our) physical health. Been there, done that…

saltom

So glad to know I'm not alone in doing that. My inertia addiction has become computer solitaire and mahjong.

jmlarue

I don't tend to get bogged down overthinking things anymore. Mostly it's just plain old mental and physical fatigue - doing the same things over and over - running on the hamster wheel that is my life and going nowhere. Such a pointless existence.

ThisLife

Great thoughts here. The 24 hours on call, the endless list of tasks that need to be done. The endless lists I keep to breakdown the tasks, so I actually accomplish something each day. Then I'll get some motivation and go full tilt for a few days. then inertia sets in again.

rlpete

Bill, I understand this very well. I have a long list of things I need to do as I'm good at making the list but not getting it done. Lately it just seems like it is just dementia everyday, all day. I'm on that alert status constantly for my wife as well. It has been 4+ years and I know many here have been going much longer but I wish for one completely carefree day when I'm not on alert and constantly thinking about the what-will-be's and the what-if's. A little respite helps but it doesn't clear the mind. I'm tired.