Brain Fog: 'Brain fog is a signal that something is wrong'

Neurologist Sabina Brennan describes her personal battle with "brain fog," a condition that significantly impacted her cognitive functions. Once adept at memorizing extensive texts, crucial for her acting career and psychology studies, Brennan noticed a decline in her ability to recall information in her mid-40s while pursuing her doctorate.

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I used to be very good at remembering a lot of text, which first helped me as an actress and later in my psychology studies.

Her symptoms, including difficulty remembering texts and finding words, intensified during periods of illness, stress, or fatigue. The "brain fog" became particularly severe during a COVID-19 infection, leaving her feeling mentally blank for months and fearing she would never be able to write again. This experience prompted her to understand and adapt to the phenomenon.

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That only changed when I was doing my doctorate in my mid-40s. I could no longer retrieve information as easily as before.

Brennan's journey highlights the debilitating nature of brain fog and the personal strategies required to manage it. Her story offers insight into how cognitive challenges can affect professionals and the importance of adapting to such changes to maintain one's abilities and well-being.

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My symptoms always occurred when I was sick, stressed, or overtired.