[InfiniteSadness]

I told this to a couple of doctors/psychiatrists and they really didn't have an answer. And the scary thing is, its not much better if worse, when i wasn't even on medication. I was considering going to a neurologist. It could be just effects of real bad depression/anxiety but i feel like something is like permanently wrong. It scares me quite a bit.. i really cant believe it sometimes, i hate to say it, but it almost feels like brain damage or down syndrome. Perhaps after all the years of switching medications, adding.. i feel ***** for life. (by the way, people have told me it could be depersonlization, dissociation etc.) But it just feels god awful..

A neuro is a good person to see, they can do an MRI or CAT scan (I am guessing...I have been scanned all up and "down) and see if they can see anything "abnormal". Make sure you see a good one, one with some experience.

I know that depression can cause big changes in your brain...I have read some things I wrote from back when I was not depressed and I don't even think I sound like the same person. So don't be too scared yet (although I am not invalidating your feelings, I am sure it is a very awful feeling, just like you say). But see if you can find an answer by going this other neurology route first. Hugs to you, and I wish you the best.

[Travelinglady]

I have been having memory problems, difficulties with doing math, etc. for a long time. I even had to give up teaching and go on disability. I finally got permission to have an official test done recently. I came back with a diagnosis of "mild cognitive impairment." My psychiatrist is cutting me down on my Klonopin to see if that will help.

My suspicion: It can be the depression or some other actual disorder's side effects and/or the effects of the drugs you have taken or are taking right now.

Note: I have Bipolar Disorder. Also, I do see a neurologist and at one point I had a brain scan. I have had two mini-strokes, but they weren't in areas affecting cognition.

[InfiniteSadness]

I also have "obsessional slowness", if that makes any sense.. Anyway, my mind isn't as SHARP as it USED to be YEARS ago- Its like I'm in a constant FOG or STUPOR, whatever u may call it.. I feel like im, excuse my french, 'retarted' sometimes.. (this obviously destroys my social life/skills)

[Travelinglady]

I felt like I wanted an official assessment, so I do think you will feel better getting one, too--and/or seeing a neurologist. I used to be really sharp, even made my living using my brain. Sigh.

[spondiferous]

InfiniteSadness: I have the same problem. I used to be a lot quicker and sharper mentally, and now it feels like it takes everything I've got to follow a single train of thought for longer than a few seconds. I know that I'm smart; I just can't retain anything or follow anything, and my focus is shot. I know that having any kind of mental health issue has the ability to impair other cognitive functions. I have friends who have the same issue as well, so I know that it's not just me.

[TheNextOne]

I think I made a post some time back about this exact same thing, I know what you're talking about. Perhaps you actually became smarter and thus have been more able to perceive your own flaws or be more critical of yourself than you used to? Which is the flipside. Either way, I'm not sure how the issue can be resolved other than to use your brain to keep it in good condition, perhaps throw in some cardio exercise for hippocampal neurogenesis.

[InfiniteSadness]

Its actually quite maddening.. because i just feel so damn slower than other people.. (i even tried taking omega-3 fish oil, didn't help that much)

[InfiniteSadness]

bump* feel slower than other people...

[optimize990h]

I need to get momentum going to get out of my "mental slowness". I think, for me, partly it's due to medication and partly to do with my depression.

A neuropsychiatrist assessed me last June and she could not definitely conclude whether this slowness and/or memory problems was caused by a medical condition, depression or sleeping disorder. It mainly dealt with cognitive tests, which involved a lot of recall. Of course, if a person is suffering from severe depression, sleep is going to be affected and make it more complicated by worsening the slowness and increase the memory problems. I guess that neuropsychiatrist would consider severe depression as the major factor, now, after the fact. It was an assessment for cognitive ability mostly. But if I was not treated with medication for depression, how accurate is it? It cost a few g's for the assessment, too.

[InfiniteSadness]

you know how everyone today is like real fast, and does everything quick? well im like the total opposite, esp with the ocd

[InfiniteSadness]

Originally Posted by optimize990h

I need to get momentum going to get out of my "mental slowness". I think, for me, partly it's due to medication and partly to do with my depression.

A neuropsychiatrist assessed me last June and she could not definitely conclude whether this slowness and/or memory problems was caused by a medical condition, depression or sleeping disorder. It mainly dealt with cognitive tests, which involved a lot of recall. Of course, if a person is suffering from severe depression, sleep is going to be affected and make it more complicated by worsening the slowness and increase the memory problems. I guess that neuropsychiatrist would consider severe depression as the major factor, now, after the fact. It was an assessment for cognitive ability mostly. But if I was not treated with medication for depression, how accurate is it? It cost a few g's for the assessment, too.

has any meds helped you or vitamins?

[theKow]

Mental treacle is just one of the things that marks a depressive episode for me. I talk slow. Slur words. Move slow.

Terrible feeling when compared to a mania where everything is lubricated and fast, but, it feels a lot better coming out of in comparison.

[TheWell]

This thread is from 2013 so I am closing it.