[yluffy13]

Ever since I was diagnosed with bipolar, I lost my ability to comprehend simple writing. Not only that, I find it hard to even keep up with the basic conversation. I cannot understand what people are saying and I don't even know what I am saying anymore. I just feel mentally retarded and I just want to know if this is normal for people with bipolar.

[BipolaRNurse]

I don't know.....my version of it is being unable to concentrate on reading, and I used to be a voracious reader. I haven't read a book in two years, can barely get through a newspaper, and can take magazines only in limited doses.

What's weird is I can write, and do it daily (please see link in my signature); I just can't read anymore. Then again, I can't focus anywhere near as well as I used to, and I get distracted very easily. Not sure if it's the BP or the meds, or if it's a combination of the two.

I haven't read a book that I didn't have to read for my studies in about four years, and I used to read a lot too. I have problems with conversations now because I can't focus and I'm really just plain dumber than I used to be. Some of it could be meds. I will often say things that make no sense and realize it after I've said it, this never happened to me before (I think it's called mental cloudiness).

I would think it's pretty normal to have these kinds of symptoms, but you seem to have them more than me.

[Trippin2.0]

Lithium made me retarded, ALOT retarded.
Have had no problems with retardation that weren't med related though, and also I'm mostly intelligent once again since being "clean". lol

I feel for you though, that was a kick in the teeth for me, hope you find a resolution

[venusss]

there's lots of yak yak about "episodes" turning your brain into mush.

But is it simply the episodes? Or is it all the booze and drugs that one takes through the episodes? Is that the bad sleep and bad eating that hurts your brain? Or dare to say, the meds one takes, to control their problems?

I just don't think bipolar in itself is doing anything to your brain or harming you... it's the actions that result from it.

[Secretum]

Cognitive slowing is a symptom of depression, a symptom that I usually get. I still can't think on the level that I used to, mostly because I'm afraid that if I put forth the effort, I'll end up in another depression.

Have you ever had psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, etc.)? Psychosis can really harm your brain, though I think you recover in time. Don't give up hope!

Did you lose your cognitive functioning level as a result of the diagnosis or as a consequence of side effects of drugs?

How were you before you began to take medications? Depressed, walking very slowly,
having insomnia, sleeping too much, spending too much money, etc?

Did those things improve on medications? If so, do you feel that the side effects
of medication may be slowing your cognitive functioning level?

All medications, whether from a prescription or over the counter cause side effects.
Chances are what you are experiencing is the side effects of the medication. You
need, in my view, to talk to your psychiatrist about lowering the dosage to a level
that keeps you functional and intellectually alert. Not all of us take a "standard"
dosage nor can we tolerate that much.

It all depends on your symptoms. Please talk to your psychiatrist about this.

[yluffy13]

Thank you guys for all the replys.
Whether I take the medication or not, I just feel dumbed down.
I do think that there is a cycle every two weeks where I become normal once again. Medication really prevented me from getting mania at night (which is a feeling that I truly miss), but I am glad I got rid of it because I get super depressed afterwards in the morning.
I also get anxiety and headaches when I try to read or just by going outside.
I hope trying new medication help.
I am currently taking Divalproex 250 mg and abilify.