Destructive Technology Behaviour: Attention, Mood
Dear Andrew, I noticed the following pattern and wanted to ask you for advice on it for a long time. While at work (100% computer and internet based) I noticed a disturbing habit of excessive browser tab switching. My modus operandi is to have some 20 tabs open and keep jumping around between them in short order. That may entail reading a paragraph from a newspaper, switching to another news article in another tab, then on to the next one and so on. It seems to me that this is some dopamine seeking behaviour with my brain expecting some novelty stimulus each time. As you may imagine my ability to think clearly, creatively and taking part in discussions diminishes rapidly. Interestingly my ability to articulate diminishes the most. I noticed this pattern when I was regularly quite depressed every afternoon (only on workdays when on the computer - normally no depressive symptoms) that became so bad I had to get out of the office every afternoon. When I was on holiday I noticed much difficulties reading a book for example but after the first couple of days of continually refocusing (like with meditation I guess) my focus and mood were improved much and that "reservoir" stayed that way during the first few days in the office. Annoyingly I somehow cannot stop this behaviour (deleted social media, regular meditation 10-20 mins a day, reading books every day) and always fall back into this destructive behaviour for my focus and mood which is a big problem not only for my performance at work but also happiness. So my two questions are: Does this observation/hypothesis make sense to you or is there any scientific research related to it? And do you have any tips on avoiding the this addictive destructive behaviour?
Low Motivation & Antipsychotics
Hi Andrew, I take Seroquel/quetiapine - an atypical antipsychotic - and it is working well in terms of what it is supposed to be doing for me. Still, it has sapped my motivation and ability to focus! My understanding is that the quetiapine blocks dopamine (is that correct?) - if that is the case, will doing dopamine-boosting activities (i.e., cold showers) help me regain my motivation to get up and do my work (I am a full-time student) and my ability to focus, or will the quetiapine also block the effects of that? Thank you!
Muscles twitching, muscle spasm all over
Hey Dr Andrew, My name is rocky from New Zealand. This has been troubling me for the last three years since things have COVID-19. So basically, I’ve been having muscle twitching and spasming and cramping for the last two years, and it’s been travelling from toes to calves to upper body, sometimes on the face as well. I’ve stopped drinking coffee caffeine on and off but stretching regularly, drinking a lot of fluids, and making sure my electrolyte balance is good, but it doesn’t seem to help or cure, so what to take on this? I would appreciate the help and input from you guys, and I’ve seen so many GPs that they could’ve offered me any explanations. I’ve been seeing acupuncturist and it is not helping that much, any input from you guys would be great appreciated. Best regards Rocky Yagi
Vestibular balance disorder
My wife suffers from a vestibular balance disorder, when she is in an environment with people moving or while driving she often feels dizzy and when in a car feels like she is moving while stopped. She works at Orange Theory, so she is in a loud environment 5 days a week. Hopefully this sets the stage for my question, and I loved your info on vertigo. In your studies or experience, what are the best ways to support this disorder and correct a vestibular balance disorder? Thank you and love the podcast!