Well I was going through a bad period a few years back.. Was out of work and felt down but it's nothing then how I feel now... I got addicted to E.. Took lots through out the year and 3 on weekends not that often though..But from then on it permanent damaged me and still feeling it 7 years later... My mind is empty.. I have no thoughts or feelings I feel numb inside and no facial expressions, no laughter.no sex drive. Short term memory has gone.. can't remember much of the pat 7 years... I stay at home with no job.. Looking blankly at my laptop ... I get no pleasure from anything food or drinking like I used to... nothing interests me... I can't get a job or last in one due to bad learning... My parents just let me get on with it.... I went to the doctor but he said he doubts I have brain damage from E.... I feel like i'm just waiting to die...But I don't think I want to due to what it will do to my family... I was young I got carried away and messed my life up big time.. I don't think I will ever recover from this but don't what to do... I can't get the right medical help since I feel there's none out there for.. My sleep is also ruined... Just putting this out there...
Hey rick
I think a big reason for your cognitive/ mental decline is that you have done nothing in 7 years! Memory is based on a web of neural connections, which you actively build by doing different things - these connections begin to fade when you don't keep stimulating them (your brain will not maintain a skill/ ability unless repetition occurs, otherwise skill/ ability will be seen as inconsequential to your survival).
I have made more progress in the last 5 weeks cognitively (since my second year at university started), than the 3-4 months before that, probably. If you stop doing something for long enough, you WILL forget how to do it or at least get a lot worse at it. This applies not just to physical activities like playing a guitar or riding a bike (yes, i'm sure if you waited long enough, you'd be a major liability on a bike) but ALSO to things like reading, writing, problem solving, your memory and socialising... maybe even enjoying things?
First of all, I don't think it's ALL in your head or just about attitude. Some damage may well have occurred - denying this possibility would just be stupid. I'm simply suggesting that you may have exacerbated your symptoms, or even delayed your own recovery, by stagnating mentally through inactivity and total under-stimulation. It is not too late to do something about this.
I would suggest making reading your MAIN hobby. Spend several hours a day reading up on anything - maybe something you USED to find interesting, if you are no longer interested in anything. Yes this can be horrendously boring when you are feeling emotionless and empty, but force yourself to do it because it can be a direct solution to some of these problems. If reading is too difficult, don't be ashamed to start at the lowest level (children's books, picture books, basic vocabulary lists) as learning requires progression. No one ever learnt anything by overshooting their short-term targets. Reading is widely known to be one of the best things you can do to enhance your cognition.
I would also suggest picking at least 2-3 other hobbies to fill your time. Instead of staring blankly at your screen (don't worry - I did this for around 6 months as well - the zoned out staring-into-space-state felt like my natural state for ages), why not use all your free time to stimulate your brain cells to connect and to grow in new ways. Learn a new instrument and pick a physical activity too (weight-lifting/ running/ a sport of your choice). You need to give your brain a reason to improve.
You are remarkably GOOD at writing for someone who has spent 7 years staring blankly at a screen. Now make it a point engage yourself mentally, if only as an experiment, and see if it makes a difference. I'm pretty sure you will be surprised.