Oh, Kim, I’ve never heard anyone else talk about having such a similar experience as I did. For me, it all seemed to start with Zoloft, which was prescribed for menopausal and work-related anxiety. Within about 6 weeks, I wasn’t remembering details of my cases (I was a lawyer in child protection), and I had to write everything down and make notes of what to say in court. I went off the Zoloft as soon as I realized, but it didn’t improve. At times, I would have a perfectly blank brain for a few panicky moments. The biggest problem that has persisted is word-finding.
I tried edibles during knee replacement recovery and found most of them too activating. I sometimes take one quarter of a Benadryl dose. Anything more makes me too hungover the next day. I don’t take it more than twice a week. Usually reading for 30 minutes or so will work in the night to get back to sleep. And I’m on an estradiol patch, which helps.
Hi -- I’m a fan of yours since I read your book last month. I relate to a lot of what you describe, since I’m 54 and about a year past menopause, and I’ve extended my dry Jan into Feb because any drinking at home sabotages my sleep.
What works for me is:
-hormone replacement therapy (low dose estrogen + progesterone) has made me feel noticeably better in the past six months.
- I don’t take gummies but 3mg melatonin at night helps me sleep through (I used to have awful insomnia, awake 2-5 am, along with anxiety).
- As for reading & scrolling, I made a conscious shift over a year ago when I became a morning reader. I pick up my book and coffee and don’t get on my phone until a half hour or so of reading. This routine became my new norm, and I love it. It allows me to read at least two books/month.
- As for TV watching, I try to keep my phone out of reach. If the show doesn’t hold my attention and I feel the need to scroll, then I give up on the TV show. But I’m watching great series like the 5th season of Fargo, so I actually forget about my phone.
The fact you did dry January--and wrote a book!!-- means you CAN change phone habits.
Scrolling affects my attention, mood, etc. so much. I've cut back with an app that sets limits on my social media use and have been doing much better. It's still so easy to get pulled back in, but I've found that a mindset of adding in things - like creative projects in interested in, a walk, a special show I watch with my partner, reading, etc - is more helpful than trying to focus on pulling myself *away* from my phone. I naturally tend to put it down and forget about it if I'm doing certain activities, so I'm prioritizing what makes it easier.
I found that deleting the apps off my phone stopped me from mindless scrolling so often. I can still visit the websites if I want to, but I don’t find myself automatically scrolling through Instagram or Facebook every time I pick up my phone.
Oh, Kim, I’ve never heard anyone else talk about having such a similar experience as I did. For me, it all seemed to start with Zoloft, which was prescribed for menopausal and work-related anxiety. Within about 6 weeks, I wasn’t remembering details of my cases (I was a lawyer in child protection), and I had to write everything down and make notes of what to say in court. I went off the Zoloft as soon as I realized, but it didn’t improve. At times, I would have a perfectly blank brain for a few panicky moments. The biggest problem that has persisted is word-finding.
I tried edibles during knee replacement recovery and found most of them too activating. I sometimes take one quarter of a Benadryl dose. Anything more makes me too hungover the next day. I don’t take it more than twice a week. Usually reading for 30 minutes or so will work in the night to get back to sleep. And I’m on an estradiol patch, which helps.
I hope things get better.
Hi -- I’m a fan of yours since I read your book last month. I relate to a lot of what you describe, since I’m 54 and about a year past menopause, and I’ve extended my dry Jan into Feb because any drinking at home sabotages my sleep.
What works for me is:
-hormone replacement therapy (low dose estrogen + progesterone) has made me feel noticeably better in the past six months.
- I don’t take gummies but 3mg melatonin at night helps me sleep through (I used to have awful insomnia, awake 2-5 am, along with anxiety).
- As for reading & scrolling, I made a conscious shift over a year ago when I became a morning reader. I pick up my book and coffee and don’t get on my phone until a half hour or so of reading. This routine became my new norm, and I love it. It allows me to read at least two books/month.
- As for TV watching, I try to keep my phone out of reach. If the show doesn’t hold my attention and I feel the need to scroll, then I give up on the TV show. But I’m watching great series like the 5th season of Fargo, so I actually forget about my phone.
The fact you did dry January--and wrote a book!!-- means you CAN change phone habits.
Grateful to connect with you here.
This is all too spot on (I assume that about the menopause part). TikTok/Reels Industrial Complex is perfect! And perfectly sad, but there we are.
Scrolling affects my attention, mood, etc. so much. I've cut back with an app that sets limits on my social media use and have been doing much better. It's still so easy to get pulled back in, but I've found that a mindset of adding in things - like creative projects in interested in, a walk, a special show I watch with my partner, reading, etc - is more helpful than trying to focus on pulling myself *away* from my phone. I naturally tend to put it down and forget about it if I'm doing certain activities, so I'm prioritizing what makes it easier.
I found that deleting the apps off my phone stopped me from mindless scrolling so often. I can still visit the websites if I want to, but I don’t find myself automatically scrolling through Instagram or Facebook every time I pick up my phone.