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OK. . . . I Am 68 Years Old, A

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Posted on Fri, 19 Apr 2019
Question: OK. . . . I am 68 years old, a widow for one-and-a-half years. I have been "moving on," but lately I find a resurgence of intransigent insomnia (falling asleep easily, waking up at 3:00 a.m. or so), taking Alprazolam to fall back asleep, and then experiencing lack of focus, concentration , attention during the day -- my choral director glared at me during rehearsal when I totally drifted away. Is it fatigue? Am I overwhelmed by putting together new abode? probably no way for this to be answered via this medium, but well . . .I took a shot.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It may be onset of relapse phase for depression

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

Early morning awakening is one of the biological marker for depression. Considering this fact onset of late insomnia (getting up early and finding it difficult to regain sleep) could be a indicator for relapse of depression in near future.

Lack of attention, concentration, focus during the day time could indicate side effect of alprazolam as well as residual/active symptoms of depression.

It is difficult to say whether this could be attributed to fatigue but chances are less as drifting away could again attribute to lack of attention and concentration which can arise due to multiple factors.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (29 minutes later)
Well, thank you for the response. You refer to "multiple factors" in the final paragraph. Examples? I also am unclear about the last sentence ". . . drifting away could again attribute to lack of attention . . ." Sorry but does the second "attribute" mean "contribute to?"
Again, apologies, but I don't get the last paragraph. Thank you for any further information.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
I wrote a follow-up question -- maybe I didn't press the "submit" key.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.

Yes attributed means contributed. To be precise attribution means cause. I meant that lack of attention could be the cause for drifting away.

Regarding your another doubt I mean to say that lack of attention is not specific to anything. It can be caused by multiple factors such as depression, lack of sleep, fatigue, ageing, distraction, neurodegenerative disorders, physical symptoms, physical illnesses among others.

I am yet to receive any more question. It is possible that your follow up was not submitted properly.

I hope this clarifies.
Thanks again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

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OK. . . . I Am 68 Years Old, A

Brief Answer: It may be onset of relapse phase for depression Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. Early morning awakening is one of the biological marker for depression. Considering this fact onset of late insomnia (getting up early and finding it difficult to regain sleep) could be a indicator for relapse of depression in near future. Lack of attention, concentration, focus during the day time could indicate side effect of alprazolam as well as residual/active symptoms of depression. It is difficult to say whether this could be attributed to fatigue but chances are less as drifting away could again attribute to lack of attention and concentration which can arise due to multiple factors. I hope this answers you. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards.