[buddyboi175]

I was hoping for some comments on this if anyone can relate. I have had a hard time on this psych central finding people who deal with this aspect of bipolar disorder.

Cognitive symptoms I deal with as a result of bipolar depression:
Trouble thinking at all and a lack of thoughts
Trouble processing information
Trouble with recall and memory

The first time this happened caused me to be hospitalized and I became psychotic and catatonic.

All of these symptoms occurred before I was diagnosed and put on any meds. Meds have only improved these symptoms.

Bipolar 1
Lithium
Lamotrigine
Wellbutrin
Latuda

[BipolaRNurse]

Oh, honey, you're singing my song.

I have all sorts of cognitive issues. My short-term memory is crap---I can tell you the lyrics to a song that came out in 1976 as well as the band and the lead singer, but I can't remember why I went into the kitchen or what I had for lunch two hours ago. I have trouble with word-finding and can't multitask. I can't read for more than a few minutes. I also can't memorize anything, like phone numbers and grocery lists, and I have severe difficulties with learning and retaining new information. The latter is why I can't work anymore and am on disability.

I have been told that I'm not developing dementia (which I feared) and that my memory problems are due to both repeated severe bipolar episodes and the medications used to treat them. Not much I can do about that; I can't go back and not have the episodes or stop taking meds. It's very frustrating.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, buddy, and welcome to Psych Central! I, too, have cognitive impairment, officially diagnosed. In fact, I had to give up teaching because of memory problems. I think it's due to meds, past and present. Someone said Wellbutrin can affect memory, for example, and I take that. But my meds are working well, and I don't want to chance messing with them.

[Row Jimmy]

I started taking lithium about two yeas ago and I've noted a significant drop in cognitive function, especially short term memory. I'm trying to compensate for it with physical activity and brain exercised like crosswords and sudoku. The frustrating thing for me is that certain people in my life don't accept my explanation. "WHY do you forget? What's so hard about REMEMBERING"?

Anyway, screw 'em.

Hopefully, they'll stop bugging you about this. I won't say it will necessarily go away completely, or maybe, but after time things don't seem as bad.

I'm scatter brained or just inattentive at times (I hyperfocus on some things to the detriment of others and am distractible). Part of it I think is the illness. Or whatever. In the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a deal. Just be careful with some things. For example, I had been bad about leaving stove burners on. I know that so I try to be extra vigilant about checking that they're off.

[Row Jimmy]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Hopefully, they'll stop bugging you about this. I won't say it will necessarily go away completely, or maybe, but after time things don't seem as bad.

I'm scatter brained or just inattentive at times (I hyperfocus on some things to the detriment of others and am distractible). Part of it I think is the illness. Or whatever. In the grand scheme of things it's not that big of a deal. Just be careful with some things. For example, I had been bad about leaving stove burners on. I know that so I try to be extra vigilant about checking that they're off.

I never forgot anything pre-diagnosis. I was super sharp, never missed a trick unless I was out of my gourd. But I was a maniac and when I crashed into the wall, people were afraid of me. Thus......I'm not sure cognitive function is attributed to the illness. I don't believe memory is listed as a symptom of BP. When I started to take medication, I started to forget simple, but not major, stuff.......things like "what song was just on the radio". On the positive side, lithium seems to have made me goofier and less edgy and in my profession, being endearing is a big plus. One of my students last year wrote me a thank you note and said he'll miss my "classroom shenanigans". Another student said "legit, you're the funniest and most real teacher in the school, legit". Yup, she said "legit" twice. Legit. Anyway, while the the wide circle has plus and minus, being much less of an asshole has its benefits.

IMO - there could be a number of simpler things at work. Perhaps you have too much on your plate. Maybe you're not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep. Check your diet as well. Or perhaps your mind just isn't engaged, especially at work. In my old job, my head went to mush because I was bored out my skull.

Originally Posted by Row Jimmy

I never forgot anything pre-diagnosis. I was super sharp, never missed a trick unless I was out of my gourd. But I was a maniac and when I crashed into the wall, people were afraid of me. Thus......I'm not sure cognitive function is attributed to the illness. I don't believe memory is listed as a symptom of BP. When I started to take medication, I started to forget simple, but not major, stuff.......things like "what song was just on the radio". On the positive side, lithium seems to have made me goofier and less edgy and in my profession, being endearing is a big plus. One of my students last year wrote me a thank you note and said he'll miss my "classroom shenanigans". Another student said "legit, you're the funniest and most real teacher in the school, legit". Yup, she said "legit" twice. Legit. Anyway, while the the wide circle has plus and minus, being much less of an asshole has its benefits.

IMO - there could be a number of simpler things at work. Perhaps you have too much on your plate. Maybe you're not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep. Check your diet as well. Or perhaps your mind just isn't engaged, especially at work. In my old job, my head went to mush because I was bored out my skull.

That's great that you were sharp as a pistol. I was much sharper in the past, too. I'm sorry if medications seem to be your issue presently and/or in the recent past. However, I must disagree with you in terms of bipolar disorder itself potentially causing cognitive deficits. Perhaps some people with bipolar disorder don't have such an issue. Such as you? But it is a known issue for some. Not everything relating to bipolar disorder's effects on the brain must be listed in the mania and depression symptoms list. See the following journal article that discusses this: Cognitive Impairment in Bipolar Disorder: Treatment and Prevention Strategies.

I believe the mild cognitive issues I've had that I attribute more to my bipolar disorder than to medications, have sprung from the years of episodes I've had, and the extreme severity of some of them. Also, the fact that I was not medicated until I was 34. There could be other factors, too, but my diet is fine. My sleep is fine. I am sufficiently stimulated. It's true that too many things on my plate can be destabilizing for me, but I don't see that as part of cognitive deficiencies. I see that as my propensity to be easily triggered by stressors. I have become more easily triggered as the course of my illness worsened.

I hope that many with bipolar disorder are spared any cognitive impairment from the disorder itself.

Thank you for being a teacher. Teachers receive far fewer thanks in life than they deserve.

[Wild Coyote]

Many people here deal with varying degrees of cognitive issues with bipolar illness and/or meds.

I am currently going through an overhaul of my meds. I experience varying degrees of cognitive impairment as I try/experience new meds.

I hope your thinking clears up. It can be so very frustrating!


WC

[downandlonely]

I'm not bipolar, but when I am severely depressed, I can't focus or remember anything. I'll try to read a book, and can't get the words to make sense. Actually, meds help me with this. When I take meds and they're working, my cognitive functioning is much better. Usually when I start to lose focus, it's a sign that my meds may not be working anymore, and I need to switch.

[Row Jimmy]

Actually, being a teacher isn't all that bad. I teach in a state where the pay is good and the kids are well behaved. There are three basic rules to teaching - earn their respect, run a good class, and be fair. The kids are the best part of the job......and I teach HS, the pinnacle of life's clueless nonchalance. The worst parts are the parents, the government, and the administration. Leave me alone and let me teach, I know what I'm doing.

Yeah, my BP seems to be a bit different than others. I suffered from anger issues after long runs of productivity. I also used to self destruct as well but I never knew cognition was part of the puzzle. At the same time, my dad used to say to me "use your head" so perhaps there was something there after all.

[Wild Coyote]

Teachers have my utmost respect!


WC

[Christopher1990]

I have time-lapses in my life where I don't remember anything during that time. I believe severe mania/psychosis does great damage to the brain. Sustained stability usually brings back better cognitive results.
When I forget what I wanted to say, I always tell people sorry "my brains fried."
I'm lucky that I still have the ability to read books, it just takes a lot longer then it should.

It is true that our brains have the ability to rewire themselves. Unfortunately, meds have cognitive side effects. However more damage is done from our episodes.

[Pookyl]

Like BipolaRNurse I have been told my cognitive issues are a result of multiple severe episodes (with short periods of stability in my case) and high med dosages.
However I have also been told by a neuropsychologist about neuroplasticity.
I was advised to keep exercising my brain. Most days are spent doing puzzles, memory games, going out for one activity etc.