Seeking Ways to Increase My Brain Power

I'm a lot older than you and I have the same problem. My doctor recommended fish oil (I take 4 a day) and B-Complex vitamins. She said to keep my brain active reading, working crossword puzzels, Suduko, etc. You can help them with most everything but math. Math is so advanced now I doubt you'ed be any help. I don't know why some people can't remember things. That's just the way it is, and there's a lot of us out there.

I am everything you put into words... and kids and H have made my brain even more scattered. And it's been as long as I can remember. I graduated with honors from HS and college, but struggled the ENTIRE time to read things over and over and over and take notes and outlines etc... I am being treated now for ADD, but no drug seems to help. I think it's just me. I'm giving it 1 -2 more months on meds and then saying enough. The meds have had various side effects and none are pleasant. I am just like my mother and father. My mom is tired all the time and my dad can't read and stay awake. That is my other problem... sleeping to get away from stress. So when I would get stressed I'd sleep and definitely wouldn't get anything / learning done. I dread when my kids are in school. I have a 2 and 5 year old.
Don't feel alone. You may be able to get treatment from a Dr or counselor, but you may be like me and just have to deal with it. We have to work harder than the average to do well.
Good luck. L.

Hi C. -- you sound great! I may be projecting my own problems onto you, but maybe you have Adult Attention Deficit Disorder -- that would fit with a lot of what you describe. I was just diagnosed so that I why I'm cautious about seeing it everywhere -- as a nurse I am sure you know how that is -- you learn about a new disease and suddenly everyone has it! And conditions like ADD are especially prone to this "oh my gosh, it's everywhere" thing because the symptoms are based on impressions -- there isn't a blood test of CT scan that can show whether you have it or not. But the basic problem with ADD is in the part of the brain in charge of "executive function" -- that is, the part that takes a complex task and decides how to approach it and how much time and energy to give to each step. It also controls how much brain energy to give to a task. This would explain things like reading sentences over and over -- your brain executive center isn't letting you have enough firepower to do the task you are trying to do. It would be like an office where the boss didn't assign enough clerks to do a research assignment and didn't provide computers, so one poor clerk is having to pore over book after book by herself -- the lack of personnel and tools makes the whole job ineffective.

Concerning math, I have heard that is a separate part of the brain, which may be why on the standardized tests like the SATs, they test math and verbal abilities separately. A lot of us who don't use math regularly find that it is hard to recall how to do percentages, for instance. or long division. But again, it is likely that anything that would help strengthen the executive function in your brain would help with this as well.

If you decide ADD may be the problem, a great place to start is with vitamins and minerals that help the neurotransmitors in your brain to work more effectively -- I take it from what I've read that the executive is sending orders but they aren't getting there, and this malfunction has to do with serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. So, omega 3 fatty acids are supposed to be helpful -- everything I have read on ADD seems to mention them, and so that is a quick way to support serotonin levels. In addition to a fish oil capsule, you may want to try evening primrose oil which has GABA, which is mentioned nearly as much as Omega 3 in the literature on ADD. Also, a daily multivitamin -- a good one (chewable or liquid are best, I think, for absorbaility) -- may help with any other deficiencies such as iron, magnesium, or B vitamins that may be causing problems. I have read that ADD brains simply burn through fuel faster than regular brains, and this makes sense to me -- so that even though we are eating in a healthy way, it could be that our brains are chronically deprived of certain nutrients because they burn through them extra fast.

This is as far as I have gotten -- I wish you luck!

all the best,
M.

This is as far as I

are you my twin? lol
i have the same trouble, my mind wanders, basic math is big problems, but yet i have a degree in medicine - how does that work?, i am not stupid but math gets me - but i have been cured.
i now homeschool my son and am teaching him math, and other subjects, because he is 6 i have gone right back to the beginning, and it is really helping me, there are great techniques now which i was not taught when i was in school - you could try going back to basics, horizons math is very good which is what we use.
i also play lots of silly word and number games on facebook, they keep my brain sharpened
i dont think you need to "see" anyone, there are lots of brain workout type books available, you can also try the puzzle books you can get at wallmart, they have simple word,logic and number puzzles that are fun to do

there is a series of books called Brain Gym, and there is a course that teaches it as well. I have also read recommened the Dominanace Factor...

I think you can see you're in the same boat with many of us. I have started playing word scramble games on Facebook and on my iPhone when I get some free time and I just can only hope that is helping me. But, do get the book "Delivered from Distraction" by Hallowell (in the psychology section of b&n etc...). He does talk through adult ADD, but gives all kinds of good ways to help improve and then also to help understand what is going on in your brain. I keep that book on my desk to refer to it quite often. He is a doctor who struggles with ADD and has found so many great ways of explaining things and also drug free alternatives as well as explaining exactly how medicines work and don't work on the adult brain. Hope that helps~
J.

You mention you work graveyard hours... How much sleep do you get on a weekday? And how does your sleep pattern change during the weekend (as in, do you stay on the same schedule all the time or does your sleep hours flip when your not working)? The reason I ask is, you might live in a state of constant sleep deprivation or decreased REM cycle sleep, both of which could dramatically decrease your cognitive processes (math equations, reading comprehension, etc.) and memory retention.

Sleep question aside... Here's a little game you can play (and your kids can play with you, race against each other, etc.)... especially helpful when waiting at doctor's office, long car trips, etc.:

Get a pad of paper and some index cards. Start with 60 cards. Write the number 1 on one card, then 2 on the next, then 3, etc. up to the number 20. Ten on the next 20 cards, number them again. Do it again for the 3rd set of 20 cards. Shuffle them up. Shuffle really good...

Lay out 5 cards... so you have 5 numbers. Lay out your sixth card. Practice figuring out a simple math equation (using combinations of adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, throw in taking the root of a number or squaring if you want) so that you use the only the numbers on the 5 cards (and all of those numbers) to equal the number of the 6th card.

For example, let's say you draw the following 5 numbers:
14, 2, 7, 11, and 9; Your 6th card is the number 18.

Can you use the numbers together to equal 18... hmmm, let's see...

14+11= 25
9+7=16
25-16 = 9, times the 2 = 18

Use the pad of paper to work out the math... Over time, see how fast you can solve it, or see if you can do it in your head. If you get to a set of numbers you can't solve, write down the numbers on the pad as something to work on "later"... You can always add another set of 20 cards or use numbers over 20, as needed.

Nintendo makes a game for the Nintendo DS called Brain Age. It offers daily "workouts" for your brain. Even though the game was purchased for my 10 year old daughter, my husband and I also find ourselves trying to improve our brain age! :)

Wow! I am the same way! In addition to all that I find myself looking up simple words while I have no problem with large words. I spen a lot of my time reading books though I have a hard time remembering the titles. After 5 1/2 years of collage I finished last month. I had to retake the math related classes over and over thanks to the word problems.
While I was in my freshman year a friend of mine thought it may be dyslexia. She told me to get a bunch of highlighters and highlight all my notes. When it came to test time I remembered my notes because I remembered the colors. That's how I read my chapters for class.
I also looked up this program online called EyeQ. I did the demo and it seemed to work.
I've never been tested for dyslexia, but it is on my To Do List. I had to tell myself that I wasn't stupid and to never give up.
Remember: The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them!
I look foward to reading what others have to say.

Don't feel alone, I'm the same way and beat myself up over it. So thanks for sharing. I'm only writing to tell you about a doctor who wrote several books. He believes in natural health restoration. I bought the book Dr. Bob's Guide to Optimal Health and love it. I noticed in the back of the book is a list of other books. I saw the one Dr. Bob's guide to stop ADHD in 18 days and ordered it through CBS online. Christian book store. Anyway it has helped my son and me both. He does better in school and stopped getting in trouble while he's there. It has helped me stay more focus too. The main thing I can tell you on the top of head that helps alot is taking flax oil, taking vitamins cutting back sugar and preservatives and dyes. Good luck, hope you feel better to know you are not alone. Also if you think about it we had these problems for years and the more responsibilities we gain the harder it gets.

Hi C., Unfortunately, I have no advice. I'm posting to thank you for posting. I loved reading the advice of others. I think you might be my long lost twin. I have always been convinced I have ADD (I know everyone cracks jokes of this but I am being serious). Like you, I made it through HS and college but always felt stupid due to my memory problems. Growing up, I must have memorized my way through rather than learning. Anyway, maybe seeking professional help in our 30's is a good idea. Anyone out there know of a good person to see?

I am going through the exact same thing!!! It started when I was pregnant and everyone told me it will get better after the baby is born. They called it "pregnancy brain". Well, my daughter is now 18 months old and I'm still waiting for it to get better!!!!
I think the brain is like a muscle, if you don't use it you lose it (I mean exercise it). I use my brain everyday of course but I don't think I challenge it enough. I think joining a book club would help but who has the time for that?!!! I've tried doing Sudoko puzzles. I saw a tv programing and they sugested things like puzzles, learning anew language help to stimulate new pathways in your brain to help keep you sharp. I bought the beginners (children's Sudoko) and still can't figure out the darn thing!!!! I think maybe I have ADD....LOL!!! I think being a mom to young children is very tiring so it's normal to be a little scattered/forgetful at times.I think you sound like an intelligent, well educated woman so I know you're smart. You're probably just tired!!
B.

There are several answers to your question and I'm sure you will receive many wonderful and varied answers. First of all, don't beat yourself up-you are apparently well educated and successful in your chosed career. There have been numerous studies about right brain versus left brain dominance and well as a lot of research into learning styles. As a math teacher I would first recommend a little different path to helping with homework. A lot of students have difficulty because they don't know where to begin-they get stuck and can't continue. One of the best ways you can help them is to do a little research about study skills. Instead of working on a specific subject you can be the guide to develope their skills, their support sytem and as they are learning you can be learning right along with them. Make sure they have their textbook or source document with them. You can say something like "I'm not real sure, but let's figure it our together" and help them figure it out. Having said that there are studies that say it helps with brain "function" to do crossword puzzles, word search puzzles and logic puzzles. I'm not sure if any of this has helped-but good luck and keep a positive attitude!

Wow, I just happened to see your note before I was deleting the email. What timing.

There is a class being offered at Kids 'r' Kids ins Spring Texas. It is : Brain Education for Enhanced Learning for Adults. It begins Tuesday January 27th.. There are 12 sessions. It is 6 weeks, 2 sessions per week. The classes are being conducted by 2 teachers who have 100's of hours of training to teach the classes. The price is $99. You can call KRK at ###-###-#### for information- ask for Virginia. This program has just received recognition from NY's Mayor Bloomberg. All adults are welcome to attend, so you can bring a friend or family member. The class is about 12-18 people so you can get one-on-one attention too. They offer classes for kids too.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I've never been good at math. But now I can't read and retain or I'll be talking and completly lose simple words for the the object I'm holding in my hand. Someone I used to work with called it adult ADD, but I'm not so sure. I have yet to find anything that can kick my brain into gear. It's almost as if after having my daughter my brain never recovered from the pregnancy dumb-dumbs. I'm waiting to see what other responses you get.
~H.

Your note made me smile...I feel like I could've written the exact same thing!! Don't have any advice for you, but you're not the only one!!!

I have a slight problem as well. same thing, can't read a paragraph and remember. Forget, forget, forget..... Get a calender write appts, p/u, bills due. I have had to do this all my life. I found that doing SUDOKU puzzles exercise the brain. I found a book with all easy puzzles, I want to enjoy, not work at it!! Vitamins help. With your housefull it is understanding!!! They have tutors for the school work, quit beating yourself up!! Enjoy raising your kids, and do the best you can. School has changed so much.

Isn't it great to know that you are not alone? I sometimes struggle with this too. for me I think it was just being scattered! having too much going on in my head at one time! too much stimuli! So maybe try this, sit quietly in peaceful meditation , and take several long slow deep breaths, concentratiung on big long inhales, and even more on complete exhales. Relaxing your body, as you go. this will bring much more oxygen to the brain and all the tissues of the body, while releasing tension, that drains us. while you breathe and concentrate, try closing your eyes and using the muscles of the eyes to turn your eyes up and center to the point right between and slightly above your brows. in Yoga this is called "3rd eye breathing" it is great for meditation, and for relaxing the mind. try reading after that, and see if you aren't a lot more centered, and able to concentrate. Hope this helps you.

Ok so I am dyslexic and here is what helps me. Vitamin B complex, fish oil, antioxidants and Resveratrol. You can get all of these at a good vitamin store. They really help me and I have four daughters and a full time job. I notice a real difference when I don't take these. Oh I just noticed the person before me said basically the same thing. Maybe we have the same doctor LOL Good luck.