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Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

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Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#161

Post by MonkeyClub »

user_named wrote: post #102
INTPenis wrote: post #67

I've just become completely lethargic lately. And there's some sort of mental block stopping me from working. It's kinda insane because I can work on other stuff, but as soon as there's a simple task for my employer my mind just wanders off. And when I really try to focus I just go blank in my head. Can't explain shit. I'm trying to slowly get back on the pony just because I'm ashamed of all the salary I've collected…

Sounds like burnout. But also, tried Vitamin B Complex. I was in a similar state, helped instantly.

+1 on B vitamins, and also iron per case. Daily walks, hydration (water, not beverages), and good sleep patterns, are also fundamental wellbeing factors.

Personally, I’ve both strolled out of burnout with such combinations, and crawled into burnout without them.

It’s amazing how easily we neglect our most basic needs, and how quickly this backlashes.

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#162

Post by mtremsal »

Not my own personal experience obviously, but “Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind” by Andy Dunn talks about the kind of mental breakdown you’re describing. It’s a surprisingly engaging and self-aware book about manic depression and how common it is in the startup world.

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#163

Post by kqr2 »

maCDzP wrote: post #159

Yes, a panic attack while abroad. Maybe triggered by anti Malaria pills, I don't know. It was really scary, I thought I had gone crazy. Lost my grip on reality. It passed after a couple of days thank god. I started therapy six months after that, it has helped me a lot. I am pretty open about it with my friends, my boss at work knows about it.

Just curious, which anti-malaria pills?

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#164

Post by exikyut »

tpoacher wrote: post #127
John23832 wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're burnt out. We've all been there. Focus on yourself to get better. As far as work, break tasks down AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE. Do a portion and pat yourself on the back. You'll be able to build up from there. Part of burnout is seeing a wall of work and your body/mind having an adverse reaction to it. You need smaller portions to get back on the horse.

"as far as work IS CONCERNED" sorry, pet peeve of mine. usually I have a bit of a controlled inner "aaarrgh" moment and then move past it, but I'm in a foul mood today (hence clicking on this thread) so it couldn't be helped. I'm sorry I'm sorry.

Eh, I didn't even notice. I think my brain autocorrected it to "as for work, ...".

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#165

Post by poulpy123 »

INTPenis wrote: post #67

I've just become completely lethargic lately. And there's some sort of mental block stopping me from working. It's kinda insane because I can work on other stuff, but as soon as there's a simple task for my employer my mind just wanders off. And when I really try to focus I just go blank in my head. Can't explain shit. I'm trying to slowly get back on the pony just because I'm ashamed of all the salary I've collected…

Those are symptoms of depression

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#166

Post by tehCorner »

kqr2 wrote: post #163
maCDzP wrote: post #159

Yes, a panic attack while abroad. Maybe triggered by anti Malaria pills, I don't know. It was really scary, I thought I had gone crazy. Lost my grip on reality. It passed after a couple of days thank god. I started therapy six months after that, it has helped me a lot. I am pretty open about it with my friends, my boss at work knows about it.

Just curious, which anti-malaria pills?

I would bet all my money on malarone

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#167

Post by otikik »

INTPenis wrote: post #67

I've just become completely lethargic lately. And there's some sort of mental block stopping me from working. It's kinda insane because I can work on other stuff, but as soon as there's a simple task for my employer my mind just wanders off. And when I really try to focus I just go blank in my head. Can't explain shit. I'm trying to slowly get back on the pony just because I'm ashamed of all the salary I've collected…

Hey, sorry you are going through that.

> I know it's a cliché but I'm almost 40 so this isn't your regular teenage angst "nothing matters", I thought I was past that.

Teenage angst has a time. Unfortunately Midlife Crisis also has a time:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midlife_crisis

It could be what you are going through, at least partially. I went through it recently - coupled with the pandemic and unfortunate family problems, I ended up depressed. I reached out for help. Therapy took the blunt out of it. Didn't fix everything, but I am functional. I get "you are a good parent" and "you are a good boss" from time to time. Brightens my day.

If therapy isn't for you, try the basics: exercise, diet, hobbies, family, friends. Anything that improves your mood will help you look at life with a more positive attitude. Be gradual with changes and expect short-term setbacks - what matters is improving in the medium-long term.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#169

Post by [deleted] »

tetsuhamu wrote: post #46

Yes, I have. No, it's not normal. Yes, it "just happens" to some people, where "some people" are the set of people with pre-existing undiagnosed problems. I got treatment for it. It means you've had an underlying issue. It probably wasn't entirely caused by the work-related stress. After it happens, you know somethin's up, or could be up at any unpredictable time. My goal in therapy and with medication is to manage t…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Did anyone else lose their marbles?

#170

Post by n4r9 »

tehCorner wrote: post #166
kqr2 wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just curious, which anti-malaria pills?

I would bet all my money on malarone

Mefloquine seems much more notable for adverse neuropsychological side effects.

This was a big worry for me around ten years ago, when travelling to Africa while suffering from an anxiety/panic disorder. I was desperate to avoid taking anything that could make it worse. Doxycycline seemed like the safest choice at the time (and the cheapest!)

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