Brain fog is something that many people with chronic illnesses know all too well, though it’s not an officially recognized medical term. While it’s often associated with conditions like chemo brain or fibro fog, brain fog can occur in anyone, causing symptoms like forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue. For those who experience it, brain fog is not just an occasional inconvenience – it’s a part of daily life. The following are 13 things only those who live with brain fog can truly understand.
1. Having to Explain It — In the Middle of It — Is a Challenge
If you’ve ever tried to explain brain fog while you’re experiencing it, you know how tough it can be. Even if people around you are familiar with your cognitive challenges, there’s no easy way to describe the overwhelming sense of mental haze when it’s happening. Trying to articulate the experience feels like you’re trying to speak through quicksand – your mind struggles to find the words, and what comes out is often unclear.
Sometimes, you might say, “I’m having a brain fog day” or simply, “Brain not working.” But even these explanations often don’t convey the full scope of the struggle. It’s a frustrating cycle of trying to express something that’s difficult to explain even when you’re feeling mentally sharp.
2. There Are Levels — And They Are Very Different
Brain fog doesn’t hit with a consistent level of severity. Some days, your mind feels clear and focused. On others, you might struggle to form coherent thoughts. The fog can come and go unpredictably, making it hard to gauge how much mental energy you’ll have on any given day. This unpredictability makes it difficult to plan, organize, and even complete simple tasks.
On particularly bad days, you might find yourself barely able to string sentences together, while on good days, you can manage to get through your to-do list with ease. This fluctuation in mental clarity is one of the many challenges of living with brain fog.
3. Sometimes, You’re Reduced to Watching
At its worst, brain fog can feel like you’re stuck in a world that’s moving far faster than you can keep up with. It’s like being trapped in quicksand or wading through Jello. It’s hard to understand what’s happening around you, and processing even basic concepts can feel like a monumental task. On these days, you might feel like you’re an observer in your own life, watching the world move forward while you’re left behind, struggling to catch up.
4. Forget About It
Forgetfulness is perhaps the most common and annoying symptom of brain fog. You forget words in the middle of a conversation, miss appointments, and even forget simple things like why you walked into a room.
To combat this, you might have redundant systems in place, like multiple calendars or reminders on your phone. But even then, there’s always a chance you’ll forget to check them, leaving you scrambling to remember what you missed. Forgetting things, even things that should be second nature, can become a daily frustration.
5. Why Do I Remember That?
There are also moments when you remember the most random, seemingly irrelevant things. For example, you might vividly recall the time you lost the remote control in eighth grade, yet can’t seem to remember to pick up your prescription refills before they’re sent back. It’s a strange and unsettling phenomenon, as though your mind has misplaced its priorities.
The randomness of memory recall is just one of the ways brain fog distorts normal mental functioning, leaving you with a sense of frustration and confusion.
6. You’re Always Second-Guessing
Living with brain fog often feels like being in a constant state of doubt. You might find yourself wondering if you turned off the oven or locked the door hours after you’ve left the house. These small, recurring questions haunt you throughout the day.
For some, these questions become more significant, like whether they took their medication that morning or completed an important task. The need for reassurance becomes an everyday part of life, and no amount of checking can fully silence those nagging doubts.
7. What’s That Word Again?
It happens to everyone – you can’t think of a word you need in the middle of a sentence. But when you live with brain fog, it’s a constant occurrence. Forgetting words or choosing the wrong ones becomes an embarrassing and frustrating part of communication. This issue, known as tip-of-the-tongue syndrome, is made worse when the word you need is elusive, and you struggle to find a suitable replacement.
It can be embarrassing when you’re in a conversation and the words don’t flow the way they should, and you know that those around you might not understand why.
8. Are You Drunk?
One of the more frustrating aspects of brain fog is how people who don’t understand it may mistake your symptoms for something else. If you’re struggling to form sentences or seem a bit slow in your responses, people may assume you’re intoxicated or under the influence of something.
This assumption can be hurtful, as it diminishes the severity of your condition and adds unnecessary social stigma. Brain fog isn’t about being “out of it” in the traditional sense – it’s a real cognitive struggle that can severely impact daily functioning.
9. And, Yes, It Is Embarrassing
Brain fog can be incredibly embarrassing, especially if your job or daily responsibilities require clear thinking and quick decision-making. It’s hard to perform at your best when your brain isn’t functioning at full capacity. The frustration of knowing you’re capable of more, but being hindered by fog, can lead to self-criticism. It becomes a source of emotional pain, making you feel inadequate, especially when people around you don’t fully understand the depth of the challenge.
10. It’s a Vicious Cycle of Frustration
The frustration of dealing with brain fog often makes the symptoms worse. When you get flustered trying to remember something or when you’re unable to process a thought quickly, the fog can deepen. The more you try to fight it, the harder it can be to escape. This vicious cycle of frustration makes it harder to think clearly, and it feels like you’re sinking deeper into the fog rather than finding your way out.
11. Interruptions Derail Our Thoughts
If you’ve ever been interrupted while in the middle of speaking or thinking, you know how jarring it can be. When you’re living with brain fog, interruptions are especially disorienting. They disrupt your already tenuous train of thought, and once it’s derailed, it’s often impossible to get back on track. This can be frustrating during conversations, as you lose your place and struggle to remember where you left off.
12. Everyone Wants to Offer You Their Advice
Because brain fog isn’t well understood, people often try to offer unsolicited advice in an attempt to “fix” it. Whether it’s suggesting herbs, yoga, or a new diet, these well-meaning suggestions can feel dismissive of the real challenges you’re facing. Brain fog isn’t something that can be simply “fixed” with a magic remedy, and hearing advice from people who don’t truly understand can be both frustrating and hurtful.
13. Self-Care is a Must
With all the challenges brain fog presents, taking care of yourself is crucial. Self-care becomes a coping mechanism for managing the cognitive difficulties that come with brain fog. Whether it’s resting, eating well, or practicing mindfulness, self-care helps you deal with the emotional and physical toll of brain fog. However, remembering to take care of yourself can be difficult at times, given that brain fog can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. But prioritizing self-care is essential for improving how you cope with brain fog in the long run.
Conclusion
Living with brain fog is an ongoing struggle that affects both your personal and professional life. It’s a constant battle with forgetfulness, confusion, and mental fatigue. For those who experience it, these 13 things will resonate deeply. While there is no magic cure for brain fog, understanding its challenges and finding coping strategies can help you regain a sense of clarity and control. And most importantly, it’s essential to remember that you are not alone in this experience.
