Cognitive functions.....problem solving etc

Hi

I notice nowadays, since I had a mental breakdown a few years ago, there are certain things that are more difficult for me to do. Concentration is one of them, problem solving, and having the patience to reply in depth to anything.

My therapist said it’s to do with the cognitive functions of the brain and she went on to tell em about it but because I can’t concentrate after a really short time nothing she was saying went in....it’s the same eith anyth8ng...
I feel bad when replying to posts here sometimes because I can’t seem to do long replies back and just short a few lines....I just don’t have it...anyone else like this or are aware of it.
I looked it up and this is what it said about that part of the brain. This seems to be the part of the brain for me that is struggling....if that makes any sense

‘Frontal Lobe - Front part of the brain; involved in planning, organizing, problem solving, selective attention, personality and a variety of "higher cognitive functions" including behavior and emotions. The anterior (front) portion of the frontal lobe is called the prefrontal cortex.’

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Just typing this and replying to another thread, has wore my brain out....
I just don’t seem to have the brain stamina anymore...in lots of ways 😞

I definitely feel 'stupid' since I started medication. I have been dumbed down by ten or more IQ points. Of this I am certain. I get word dumb - which is humiliating. In addition though what were once simple cognitive tasks for me have become difficult. Math is an example. Frankly anything that requires problem solving or critical thinking takes a great deal of effort. I followed someone else's suggestion of doing puzzles in an effort to try and improve things. It isn't working very well.

Hi wishful thinker.
Yes it’s awful
I don’t take any anti depressants, I take meds for high blood pressure and bisoprolol for anxiety they do tend to make me tired but not sure they affect my cognitive abilities...
I’m still like this, problem solving is so difficult , I feel brain dead with a lot of things
I’m sorry you struggle too, whether it’s meds or the condition it’s just not nice and very frustrating ...

x

Hi daisy.

The brain is a very complex organ and we do not understand it fully yet. A single area of a brain does not control a single function. What you find the internet is very misleading and unless your college textbook and college professors tell you something about neuroscience (especially if the information is about your condition), don't trust it. There are many scam artists out there trying to gain money publishing false information.

I believe exercise and healthy diet can make a massive difference, just like change in views about one's health (change from negative thinking to positive thinking.) combined with therapy.

dear Wishful... i suffered major brain damage from psych meds, very swiftly... and had to stop taking them, but the damage remained... i have been doing my own 'rehab' program for 25 yrs, and have finally managed to accumulate about 55 IQ points recovered. in the last year i have managed to do simple math in my head... it's been a long haul, with many stages, but i persist.

let me encourage you to perhaps start smaller... those games can be quite challenging, and not for beginners. i know i have recommended them, but without knowing how severe the damage is, it's hard to know which level of 'recovery therapy' to suggest. when i first started i couldn't count to 20 reliably, so i took up knitting to learn to count (i already had learned to knit, years ago). each time i discovered a loss of skill, i found a way to practice using it. finally, a doc of acupuncture suggested the Holosync Therapy, which is a form of the Binaural Beats that you can find online (only specifically designed to become more and more intense over the 7 yr period of treatment). you can buy it at CenterPointe.com, if you're interested. their web site keeps changing, but they do the best job of explaining how it works.

i would be glad to talk with you about other types of brain exercises for functional recovery. the most important thing is to Persist~! practice-practice-practice~!
best wishes~ Gus

I just know the way you feel.

Yes, and so difficult to try and persist to make it better as it’s all so very very exhausting. 😞 x

Yes, I've definitely noticed this on myself. I saw a deterioration in my cognitive ability after years of complex trauma and stress.

I cannot even use both of my hands without looking stupid.

Yes same here..
Stress and trauma sufferer too....

I’m hoping I feel stronger and able to retrain the brain, but right now it’s too exhausting...and I’m just going with the flow 😩

Take care x