Ask HN: How can I get over my lethargy, lack of focus, and other problems?

Well what kind of project are you trying to work on?

Sometimes we unknowingly build a mental block and self-resistance against working on projects that are too broad, too complicated, or even things that are just not interesting enough for our internal psyche.

For technical work, you have to focus of on your focus. I won't drive anywhere at anytime. For me, a single drive wrecks my concentration for the whole day. Also, stay out of phone use, the internet, and shopping. Stay out of mind numbing meetings and discussion groups. Diet wise, I could recommend simple things like apples, nuts, cookies, coffee and tea. As much as you would like. I could get the complicated stuff out of the way in 3-4 weeks locked in a closet with lots of privacy and bad personal hygiene practices.

The frills, database, and front-end stuff can be far more enjoyable and leisurely. You can even do those things at a coffee shop. I would considered that kind of programming as a psychological reward for doing the hard stuff.

Also, I'd investigate regulating your sugar levels through diet. That can certainly cause brain fog. People who turn to soft drinks for that quick fix, mental lift ultimately wind up in with bad focus and poor health.

Sounds like it could be ADHD, take a look at the DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD[0] (the same criteria that a doctor would use to diagnose you).

Here are the criteria for Inattention:

- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.

- Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.

- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).

- Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.

- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

- Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).

- Is often easily distracted

- Is often forgetful in daily activities.

[0] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html

Yes, exactly; this sounds like profound cognitive dysfunction consistent with either OSA or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome. If a skeletal abnormality is present it would manifest as a compromised bite relationship, while the more mild UARS could appear with obstruction of the nasal passages.

Worth evaluating.

What are these symptoms an indication of?

My first guess is inflammation of the microglia. Try a combination of galantamine and ibudilast twice daily, and avoid all gluten. If the brain fog doesn't lift, my diagnosis was wrong and you are no worse for it. If my diagnosis was right, it should make a very marked and phenomenologically obvious subjective difference.