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Bipolar and Reduced Cognitive Function

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charlie79548
charlie79548

Hi all,

Has anyone here found that cognitive functioning (i.e. ability to learn information, retain facts, mental processes etc.) was reduced by your Bipolar Disorder?

The reason I ask is this. Since I began a treatment on Lithium, I've found I'm able to think far more clearly, learn new things, and remember remarkably large amounts of information in a whole new way. After years of thinking of myself as 'stupid', I did an IQ test last night and scored much higher than I did 3 years ago, when my Bipolar was undiagnosed and I wasn't on medication. Has anyone else found similar? I'm really excited to be able to learn new things far more clearly, and both me and my therapist are convinced this is due to Lithium 'clearing up' my brain a bit, if you'll forgive the term! 

Thanks all- any thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • wendy85295
    wendy85295 charlie79548

    Posted

    hi charlie,

    I don't know about being slower off medication, but definitely on meds.  I was on Lithium for a short time but that just heightened my depression I was in at the time and I took an overdose of it!  (not very clever as it is toxic to the liver)  but when you are mega depressed you do not think of these things only 'how can I get out of this mess'...

    I am glad for you that Lithium has made a change to your mental capacity.

    I am on Depakote (semi sodium valproate/valproic acid) at the moment (and have been for 12 years)  It was prescribed as soon as I had had my second child as a mood stabilizer and over the years an antipsychotic and anti-depressant have been added in and tweaked to try to stop my mood going either high or low depending on my situation.

    Sorry to go on about myself but that is the only reference I can quote!

    If you could let me know if you have any side effects and what dose you are on that would help because I am in the process of trying to be weaned off Depakote for something that does not make you put weight on.

    Regards

    wendy

    • charlie79548
      charlie79548 wendy85295

      Posted

      Hi Wendy,

      Thanks for your reply, please don't worry about talking about yourself- it's really good to hear about what you've experienced.

      I'm at the beginning of my 'Bipolar Journey' really; I also have a comorbid diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, which makes things a lot more complicated medication wise. Lithium has treated me really well- I feel it's taken the edge off my highs and definately made me less suicidal. As I said it's also improved my cognitive function, but I'm aware at higher doses the reverse can happen. I'm planning on bringing this up with my doctor when he next puts my lithium dose up. I'm currently on 800mg and will continue to move upwards til my doctor calls it a day. We think 1200mg will be the level for me, but only time will tell.

      I also take Quetiapine, mainly for BPD rather than Bipolar, because it settles my anxiety down and makes me less emotionally reactive. At 150mg, I experience some mild to moderate hallucinations when I increase my dose, it makes me sleep a ton at night and it's also made me put weight on, which I'm slowly starting to control now with will-power! Other than that it's a good med, but compared to lithium it feels a lot more 'clumsy' with all the side effects. 

      I can't really recommend any meds other than the ones I've taken, but I have been on Depakote before, which treated me well but not as well as Lithium is currently, and Olanzipine which I would suggest you avoid like the plague as it makes you put a ton of weight on! Have you considered an antipsychotic called Abilify (Aripriprazole)? I'm told the side effects are a lot less intense than other drugs on the market? Have you considered giving Lithium another shot? I know it doesn't work for some people but it's the 'gold standard' mood stabilizer for BP Disorder so I'm told. 

      Good luck to you, and I hope the med change goes well.

      Charlie

    • wendy85295
      wendy85295 charlie79548

      Posted

      Hi Charlie,

      Thanks for getting back to me.  I wonder if you have been offered CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) - a lot of NHS staff at all levels have undertaken training in this before the monetary cuts.

      I really do not like it when I hear of  people being diagnosed with 'Borderline' anything and Personality Disorder - you need to do some research on that.  E.g. is it hereditary?  They think bi-polar is, so look in your family tree (without hurting anyone's feelings!)

      Both my mum and dad suffered from depression at various times in their lives so for us 3 children it seems a bit of a given if you know what I mean.  It does depend on nature and nurture to a certain degree I believe as scientists do  not completely understand DNA and chromosomes when it comes to the  brain (mind).

      I am on Abilify (Aripiprazole) at the moment plus citalopram and am negotiating a gradual reduction in my meds (Depakote) with a view to being able to lose the weight which has piled on since the birth of my daughter 12 years ago as I am being considered for Bariatric (weight loss) surgery....

      I have thought about giving Lithium another try, but really it is a bit of a lottery as to which one works..

      Life situations change and interactions change and the doctors just cannot prescribe a 'one size fits all' tablet with the best will in the world.

      That is why I feel like a guinea pig at times but hey what the heck, I've been out of hospital and treated in the community for over 3 years which I am hoping turns into longer.

      My bi-polar is part of who I am now and I have accepted it (finally after being in denial for  many years).!

      Family,friends, colleagues,clinicians have varying degrees of understanding but you get to know the sympathetic ones who can perhaps empathise as well - keep these contacts close to you is the only advice I can give as they are worth their weight in gold...

      Hope my thoughts have helped.

      Best wishes

      Wendy

       

  • BadNewsBrain
    BadNewsBrain charlie79548

    Posted

    Yep - concentration (working memory in the pre-frontal cortex) is totally shot away when I get high moods, and makes no difference whether I've had meds or not ... can't focus on things, so best to try to do several things at once and keep moving between them a lot - which computers are excellent for. kind of works
  • maureen_25289
    maureen_25289 charlie79548

    Posted

    Ah dear I got my hopes up there for a minute I've been on Lithium a few years and been finding my memory woeful..when I read the beginning of your post I thought it was the bipolar causing that and got hopeful until I read on that you find the lithium helping you retain more info. I'm wondering does bipolar cause a lack of memory at all must research that one.
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