Posted by bookgurl99 on April 2, 2004, at 18:15:08
In reply to Re: ssri's effect on cognitive functioning???, posted by Nanter1 on April 1, 2004, at 17:16:01
>
> I've been off of meds completely for about 9 months now after having been on several different SSRIs over the last 10 years. My cognitive problems (short term memory disturbance, aphasia, spontaneous problem solving difficulties) have persisted ever since cessation.
. . . . . .> Ain't this stuff grand? Wish I'd known...
>
> -Nanter1
>I have a couple of theories about this. One is that, we now know that the brain continues to grow into adulthood -- much longer than was previously believed. In addition, there is a last 'spurt' of brain development occurring around age 22, which is perhaps why around age 22 we start to take on more adult responsibilities. However, most of us probably experience mental illness before that point and so may be on medication while our brain is 'setting' itself for adulthood. It is expecting the SSRI or other med to fill in for a certain function.
However, as the brain rebuilds itself every day (as our whole body does), it may somehow start to fulfill that function -- if given the chance.
My other theory is that, by providing an unexpected stimulus, the AD's tax the body in a way that we don't feel or expect. Think of the side effects experienced -- sweating, heart pounding, memory lapses. These are all experienced by humans when under stress. The body may read AD's as a persistent stressor, even if we feel fine emotionally on them.
So, one common result of persistent stress is 'adrenal fatigue,' having less of a capacity to make epinephrine and noripenephrine. One early symptom of this is mental fogginess, poor memory, etc. What I think is that it may take time and deliberate effort to heal from this taxation on the body after being on AD's for a long time.
My hope is that I can heal by this by abstaining from stimulants, even antidepressants if possible. My real hope is to just be normal again, that we can all be normal again.
poster:bookgurl99
thread:331128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040402/msgs/331883.html