I think the severity of the illness often dictates whether or not cognitive deterioration will occur. I also think many of the medications may have a side effect of cognitive deterioration and that there aren't enough studies comparing brain damage from the medications that are prescribed.

I KNOW for a fact that as I get older I am experiencing cognition problems and will be speaking to my pdoc about it, in July. My symptoms probably mimic adult ADD and unfortunately I will not know what exacerbated these symptoms in my cognition.

On another note I am under the notion that poor sleep can cause many of the cognition problems. I'm taking seroquel for sleep, but haven't slept well in the past 2ish-3? weeks. (Something else I will talk to my doctor about!) If sleep really contributes to better cognition then a history of poor sleep could cause the eventual deterioration of the mind. It's something to think about. This is also why Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Jamison may not have touched on it in regards to "mood" itself.