Posted by Chris A. on March 8, 2002, at 20:42:50
In reply to Severe decrease in cognitive function, posted by CJ Young on March 7, 2002, at 14:26:53
When your life,
> your identity, your passion are circumscribed by your intellect, you are left with
> nothing but the consciousness of your loss.I identify strongly with your pain and sense of loss, because I am there. Depression, meds and seizures all can have effect on cognition. For me it was the ECT that most likely did the worst damage. Thorough neuropsych testing revealed "mild cognitive impairment comparable to that typically seen in epilepsy patients." When I am very depressed my thought processes come to a complete halt. Intellect and education are valued highly in my family, so I've staked my self worth on them, which isn't good.
Med changes might help. I am diagnosed bipolar, mixed, 99.9999% depressed. Lamictal is the best mood stabilizer for me, not dulling like the others. ADs make me more depressed. Bottom line: They threaten homeostasis and my brain over-corrects. The closest analogy I can think of is driving off the shoulder of a road in a vehicle at a high rate of speed, turning the steering wheel and ending up in a ditch. When trying to pull me out of bipolar depression my doc has me use a light box, small doses of selegiline (Eldepryl, Deprenyl) very judicously. Excercise helps if i can force myself to move. I am trying to get off of the Ambien I've been taking for several years, as it may also be impairing my cognition.
From reading this you would never know that I used to write. I've also lost touch with friends and family because it is difficult to communicate, which adds to the depression.You sound quite articulate, so don't give up on yourself.
Blessings,
Chris A.
poster:Chris A.
thread:96905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97118.html