[Moose72]

Brain Damage From Bipolar Disorder | HealthyPlace

Short article. Interesting. I can see how this would be the case. It also brings up the issue of kindling- each successive episode is worse than the one before it.

Yes, sometimes I wonder where I would be now if I received proper treatment as a teen. I'm not thinking a huge cocktail, but a little one. One that could help. Be able to do just enough. Instead, my illness grew worse and worse and I struggled more and more. Bigger damage had time to develop. It became harder to heal from it all.

I do heal. I do make progress, but I do live with a disability now. It's not hopeless, but I know not to expose myself foolishly to additional big injuries. And yes, I see my illness as the main cause of my injuries.

[Victoria'smom]

significant cognitive impairment is what scares me.

[~Christina]

I do believe there is overall decline as we have episode to episode as time passes.. For me its not just the Bipolar, its chronic insomnia and any chronic pain that gets relentless also will cause cognitive decline neck and neck with Mental illness struggles.

Unfortunately the meds we take to help keep us at baseline and able to enjoy life often cause cognitive problems. Years ago when I was on Lithium I literally had to ask my husband how to spell .. What , here, there and honest to god I could not for the life of me spell Fibromyalgia

[wiretwister]

what brain damage, oh that . . . . the elephant in the room . . . .

[*Beth*]

I have no doubt that Meds, probably especially Klonopin, have caused cognitive decline for me. My level of intelligence has dropped significantly...as has my ability to use the correct words and write well. Definitely one of the sacrifices I've made to BP.

[wiretwister]

I can not even spell " cognitive " any more . . . I cut and pasted it from above . . . I used to read several books at a time when I was younger and in school , tough books too , but now . . . to read 1/2 a page requires me to reread it several times . . . and reading is no longer enjoyable . . . of course I am old and getting older every day . . . but I have really noticed a difference . . .

[Nammu]

Brain and brain, what is brain?

[bpforever1]

I believe that with each episode my brain has become fried. I sometimes now blank out and feel as if I'm not in control of my thoughts. I have been psychotic about 7 times now. I want it to stop. I will try to do everything I can to remain compliant. I have nobody near me though. I just have my psychdoc and myself. It is a precarious situation when I become psychotic. I have always been alone when I became psychotic. This time, I will go to my appointments faithfully no matter what happens. But, yes, I agree that with each episode, my brain is not doing as well as before. I work though but at times my mind goes blank now. It is scary. So, I drink my coffee and try to focus during these times.

[bpcyclist]

Imagination is more important than knowledge--Einstein.

How did Van Gogh paint the way he did while constantly symptomatic? How did Einstein change physics and math forever, with whatever collection of "disorders" he suffered from?

I am not boasting, but I was good at designing lasers not because I was smarter than my competitors, but because I came at the problems from a totally left-field and bizarre place. People thought I was nuts. Until they saw the finished prodcuct. Then, they were pissed that they had not come up with it.

Our brains are capable of things a "normal" person could never achieve in a trillion years of effort. We are special, in my humble opinion, as a group. Our brains can do unusual things. Why, when I had my series of visions, was I able to accurately predict the future in micro details, sometimes, years in advance? Normal folks cannot do that. Dunno.

We should be proud of these talents and abilities, not shame ourselves over it, IMHO.

Lithium, BTW, also has clear neuroprotective qualities. It promotes plasticity. It is very difficult to sort out what is illness and what is medication. Impossible, at this point, in my view.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I do believe there is overall decline as we have episode to episode as time passes.. For me its not just the Bipolar, its chronic insomnia and any chronic pain that gets relentless also will cause cognitive decline neck and neck with Mental illness struggles.

Unfortunately the meds we take to help keep us at baseline and able to enjoy life often cause cognitive problems. Years ago when I was on Lithium I literally had to ask my husband how to spell .. What , here, there and honest to god I could not for the life of me spell Fibromyalgia

Originally Posted by BethRags

I have no doubt that Meds, probably especially Klonopin, have caused cognitive decline for me. My level of intelligence has dropped significantly...as has my ability to use the correct words and write well. Definitely one of the sacrifices I've made to BP.

One of my psychiatrists told me once that my brain-fade is due to a combination of repeated bipolar episodes (especially manic ones) and the medications I'm taking. I was worried I was developing dementia. I used to have a fine mind, full of curiosity, and I loved reading and exploring. Now I'm dumber than a box of rocks... I sometimes can't find the right wording (which is bad news for a writer), and forget what I'm saying in the middle of a conversation. I hate it. But there's really not much I can do about it, because medication is not optional and I can't go back and not have all those damaging episodes of illness.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

One of my psychiatrists told me once that my brain-fade is due to a combination of repeated bipolar episodes (especially manic ones) and the medications I'm taking. I was worried I was developing dementia. I used to have a fine mind, full of curiosity, and I loved reading and exploring. Now I'm dumber than a box of rocks... I sometimes can't find the right wording (which is bad news for a writer), and forget what I'm saying in the middle of a conversation. I hate it. But there's really not much I can do about it, because medication is not optional and I can't go back and not have all those damaging episodes of illness.

I have been told the same thing in the past. My memory was quite good in my 30s and into early 40s. Since all my mania nd psychosis began (2005ish), short term mem has just become horrid. Appalling. It is embarrassing to me. I have no clue on this earth how I possibly did so well in med school. I would not last a day there now.

That said, I try hard to stay away from self-judgment and self-criticism about these things. I avoid words like "dumb" because I think it is unfair to me, given that I suffer from an illness not caused by my own actions. Kindness to self i something I really strive for.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I’m pretty sure it’s meds not episodes for me, I’ve only had one episode, but I take APs every night. Anyway, dropped 20 IQ points in working memory and 30 in processing speed. Could no longer work as a scientist, could barely learn computer help desk.

Started fish oil per docs advice, due to bdnf activation. Back in grad school for another field.

[BlueSkyGirl]

My PDoc says that BP meds protect the brain. He said that having depressive and manic episodes deteriorates your brain, and that the meds help you stay stable so that your brain doesn’t undergo so much stress. I’ve been taking meds for over 15 years (Zoloft, Latuda, Strattera, Neurontin) and recently had my IQ tested for Mensa and it came back 140. I think this is the highest it’s ever been. I truly believe my doctor and agree that the meds protect your brain from self destruction that episodes cause.

[bpcyclist]

A slightly different perspective and one that I have been writing a lot about lately...

You don't have to be bipolar to be a genius – but it helps | The Independent

[The Black Dog]

I think i need the mania to help my brain function. Since medication, my brain stalls all the time. I can barely remember a phone number (not that we have to anymore with cell phones). I also switch letters in words.

Im def for medication. Im bipolar with psychotic features. Without it I think I would destroy my life.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by The Black Dog

I think i need the mania to help my brain function. Since medication, my brain stalls all the time. I can barely remember a phone number (not that we have to anymore with cell phones). I also switch letters in words.

Im def for medication. Im bipolar with psychotic features. Without it I think I would destroy my life.

But you are manic even on meds?

I have alwasy been a very effective and quite accurate typist. I am appalling now. I have so many typos it is just shocking. Drives me insane!!!!!!!!!

[Travelinglady]

I've been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and have trouble remembering words and spelling. But I'm thankful to say I can still write. I blame my meds.

[The Black Dog]

I blame meds too. No mania on meds - maybe brief periods of excessive energy for a day, day 1/2.

[Trippin2.0]

I blame certain meds.
Yes I am now a firm believer in the kindling theory, as my episodes and symptoms have become more severe over the years, but the only time I was cognitively challenged (read dumber than a rock) was while I was on Lithium.

Neverrrrr again!
It's a HARD no from me.