--it seems fairly evident that having a condition that casues pain and disability can put a damper on one's creativity, and it can certainly impact one's ability to focus and concentrate.

I suspect, though, that reports of flattened affect and motivational difficulties are more likely to be the result of many of the meds we take, especially of the anti-seizure variety. Their tendency to make us dizzy, fatigued, and made more lethargic in our interests (and crave carbohydrates, as if we're going into hibernation) are well-documented.

One of the good side-effects of taking B-complex, and especially B12, is that (at least for me and some others I've spoken with) they help to balance and counteract this tendency.

I now rarely take pain meds [guess I've gotten 'used' to it?] and have not been on seizure-type meds for almost a year. I find little or no difference in the overall pain levels nor in the attention-span/reading issues..... Simply cannot be done!
Ironically this SHOULD have been happening at the severe sudden onset on my neuropathy and it was not. It started after I was on seizure meds and such and now that I am off of them I was hoping that the short-attention-span issue would end as well? Well, it's NOT.
I do believe I have much more empathy for stroke victims now, and I do KNOW that that aspect has really and truly been checked OFF the lists!
The disconnect is there, and it IS real. It's not med related as the other meds I am on I have been on for several years. Two of the three decades prior to neuropathy and the third since. I am also on B-vite supplements and others as well-to little avail with this issue.
It could be a symptom of something relating to neuropathies tho, that should be documented and included in the diagnostic listings tho.
It is truly frustrating to pick up any magazine in a doctors office and try and READ it tho. I seem to be trying on too many occasions! Hugs to all! - j