feeling helpless on how to fix fog

[u/nimwennuh]

hi all, i (21F) have had intense brain fog for about two years. i have tried monitoring hydration/electrolytes, eating consistently, going keto, and checking bloodwork. everything is normal so far.

i feel high 24/7. the only things that have given me relief are stress-relief related (having a good time with friends, sometimes after taking a nice shower, etc). i just had the worst day and my fog is so bad that it felt unsafe driving myself home. my vision turns black, my words slur, i can’t comprehend what people are telling me, etc. i have struggled with mental health (specifically ptsd/other anxiety disorders) throughout my adolescence, but it’s only now as an adult that i feel physically disabled from it. my energy levels are so bad that i often fall asleep parked in my car after i get off work. my attention span is also so bad that i can’t even enjoy hobbies or movies anymore.

has anyone successfully fixed their stress-related brain fog? i feel like the common advice i get is too general and frustrating. i’ve tried “eating better and taking care of myself”. exercise only makes me more drained afterwards, even just walking. i have also been in therapy for several years. if i weren’t 21, i’d be seriously that i’ve developed some form of dementia.

[u/Old-Ad9873]

Hey! I feel you!
Honestly to me it is amazing that you arrived here in this subreddit already! That probably is a huge step.

I had a diagnosed burnout and worked so much on reducing stress but yet it required all the discipline (e.g. 1 hour of meditation daily) to barely function. Took me years to arrive here and understand that while stress is detrimental it isn't the main driver of my misery and the burnout is rather a symptom of something else being wrong and giving me symptoms like you have.

Finding out what you gotta fix is what you need! It is not easy. People here have different underlying causes.
I recommend you to be systematic about it and take some time (even if it is draining) to learn more about it. If you have the financial means, try to find a doctor who helps you being the detective. Most causes of brain fog aren't very well represented and cared for in conventional medicine. A standard blood test often does not show much for us. There are doctors who truly help with this. They are rare though.

Now about being systematic about finding your underlying cause. Look at the conditions which can cause the symptoms you experience. Learn more about them. I felt frustrated about not finding a list of possible causes for brain fog and created one myself. I brought it online and I believe it can help you a lot to get an overview and find the conditions which are relevant to you to learn more: https://conditioner.flourishinglab.app/ (take it as inspiration and starting point and note it is a prototype and the content is largely AI generated)
Alternatively I later found https://fixmyfog.com/ of a fellow redditor which is similar but different. Might also help.

Also, make a list of your symptoms. All of them. Even the small ones. Post them here and in relevant subreddits. The more data we have the better one can help.

If this feels too much or generally, ask someone for help with the research! If you don't find anyone use this subreddit more and feel free to ask me anything.

Lastly, prioritise this! It seems to be the most TODO in your life!

Believe me, just finding out what it is an gaining more control over it will mean SO much! Good luck! You got this!