One of the symptoms we may deal with having P.O.T.S. is trouble focusing. This is not meant in terms of our eye site, but with focusing on tasks throughout the day. Whether it is a conversation, work, a project, hobby or any other activity. This symptom (trouble focusing) is also referred to as brain fog or cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction can be described as having trouble with any of the following: difficulty thinking, concentrating, or paying attention, trouble remembering things, cloudy or fuzzy feeling in head, and having problems finding the right words.
This symptom is very common among people with P.O.T.S. As this syndrome can be difficult to diagnose and can often be missed, it can make understanding the syndrome and its symptoms difficult and managing the symptoms can be frustrating. I am among the common 80% to 90% with Cognitive Dysfunction. With this comes the difficulty in processing information, another words it takes longer for someone with P.O.T.S. to process the information given or presented to them, than the average person. There may also be difficulty in planning, organizing and adapting to change. I have found ways to work with these, which makes it a little easier and more manageable to perform daily activities and to work. Most of us keep calendars, and notes. Mine are constant and everywhere! I have the calendar I can check on the computer, which matches the one on my phone, and notes (mostly sticky’s) in various places. Anything I am learning, or tracking or anything of the sort, I have notebooks as well as the computer files. For work, one of my favorite things is the flip board, (click this link to find an example of this item online. https://bit.ly/3hVmPAI )
I made it a routine and habit to check my white board, sticky’s and especially my calendar on a regular basis. Any extra activity I need to perform, goes into my calendar. It doesn’t need to be just appointments, or scheduled learning activities, it includes meeting a friend, or grocery shopping, or an errand I need to run, or a phone call I need to make. Everything! is in the calendar and notes. I know this must sound time consuming and a pain in the “you know what”! But if you are not already doing this, I would suggest to you to start – whether you have P.O.T.S. or not. As you begin to do this on a regular basis, it gets quicker and easier. In the end, it saves a lot of time and frustration since these calendars and notes keep you on track and hopefully always on time! Do I break down everything I need to do for this site? And to give to you all I can? Well, yes. I keep every piece listed – and on the calendar, white board and sticky’s.
I not only keep everything listed and written down, but I keep a routine as well. Change can be difficult, not because it’s something I don’t like, or because it means re-arranging schedules or plans etc., or even because it may bring me out of a comfort zone, but because with change, means my focus can be thrown off. I can feel as if I don’t know which way to turn (sometimes literally) or where to find things, what I was doing, what I need to do next etc. It takes time to re-adjust and re-create my routine or pieces of it, and relearn habits, directions etc. If I change my routine too much, or have more chaos than I can easily handle, I can even forget such things as whether or not I have eaten. My stomach reminds me, but not all activities have that kind of reminder bell.
I found it easier to focus when I keep to a basic routine, which does include paying close attention to my notes and calendar. When I have what I call an ‘off day’, I have a more extreme trouble focusing as well as understanding and putting words together properly. Realizing these days mean I get less done and move slower helps keep the frustration to a minimum if not completely at zero. I help myself with this not only through routine, but prepping. I plan ahead for meals (at least for the most part), I set things out ahead of time, I leave a checklist with the bag the night before, so there is nothing forgotten when we go for a day trip; and I even put out my clothes for the next day. When working, I will actually plan for the week and hang everything I need on hangers, already together, ironed, right side out, any accessories etc. all on each hanger. This way, it doesn’t matter how much brain fog I may have the next morning, or any symptoms in general, I am already halfway out the door. My clothes are set, my lunch is made and packed and my breakfast is prepped. These silly little things are the ways I am able to work around the cognitive dysfunction issues and any other symptoms that occur at any time.
Planning and staying organized are always good things for anyone, but for those with this syndrome, the importance becomes much higher. If there is a day trip planned for the next day, I prepare everything the day/night before. The checklist is there, but most everything is already set. Everything I need to do, or want to do, is planned into my schedule and days, organized and prepped. Routine! Routine! Routine! I am able to function a little better, get more done and accomplish more activities with these simple tricks. There are, of course, other things involved and done, for the other symptoms as well; but those are another post.
I hope you find this helpful or at least interesting, and that your week goes even better than the last! “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. it means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Unknown