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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
Hi all,
My depression has caused me to feel extremely stupid. I've lost all analytical reasoning abilities, my memory is terrible, and have lost my common sense.
I cannot articulate myself at all and my writing skills are gone. CAn anyone out there relate to this?Very scared,
Ned
Posted by Sherry on March 27, 2000, at 21:00:48
In reply to Depression has made me stupid, posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
Hey Ned,
Boy can I ever relate. It is very frustrating to see the people who work at McDonald's, for instance, and know that I don't think I could even hold down that kind of job because of my extremely poor concentration and memory. I also have a lot of difficulty expressing myself. The sad part of this is, I have a degree in computer programming, and unless some miracle comes along I will never work again at programming. I'm sorry I can't give you some miracle advice, but I definitely relate.
~sherry> Hi all,
>
> My depression has caused me to feel extremely stupid. I've lost all analytical reasoning abilities, my memory is terrible, and have lost my common sense.
> I cannot articulate myself at all and my writing skills are gone. CAn anyone out there relate to this?
>
> Very scared,
>
> Ned
Posted by Liz on March 27, 2000, at 21:26:01
In reply to Re: Depression has made me stupid, posted by Sherry on March 27, 2000, at 21:00:48
Last fall, I saw my internist and told her I was either demented or depressed, I couldn't tell which. I couldn't function at all. I was ready to quit my job and drop out of grad school. My doc took me very seriously and sent me out for neuropsychiatric testing (probably because I already have another neuro problem). The testing indicated depression and 4 antidepressants later I have my mind back. It was amazing. I never did exactly feel depressed during this episode, just completely incompetent and strange.
Posted by Mark H. on March 27, 2000, at 21:56:58
In reply to Depression has made me stupid, posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
Yes, I can relate. What starts as a physical phenomenon eventually can ruin your confidence, your social skills, your memory, your sex life, your cognitive ability, everything you take to be "you."
Recovery takes a combination of meds and therapy. Meds can put a floor under you; therapy can teach you what you've forgotten. But as long as your legs are just dangling over the abyss, it's a bit difficult to get a therapeutic foothold.
Acknowledge your illness -- don't let your employer, school or significant others mistake this disability for permanent stupidness or laziness or incompetence or anything else. It's treatable, and you will get better.
Posted by Vesper on March 28, 2000, at 0:29:33
In reply to Depression has made me stupid, posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
> Hi all,
>
> My depression has caused me to feel extremely stupid. I've lost all analytical reasoning abilities, my memory is terrible, and have lost my common sense.
> I cannot articulate myself at all and my writing skills are gone. CAn anyone out there relate to this?
>
> Very scared,
>
> Ned
Ned,
I am the same way. I used to be so much brighter. I hate myself.
Posted by ChrisK on March 28, 2000, at 6:13:43
In reply to Depression has made me stupid, posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
Ned,
If you look at a list of the questions a pdoc will ask in diagnosing depression, you will see that many revolve around ability to concentrate and retain information. That's because this is all part of the disease. I was a chemical engineer before I just couldn't work anymore. I had no attention span and was leaving projects undone. I'm sure that people thought I was lazy or falling behind for other reasons. What it came down to was that I was so depressed that I just couldn't function in the real world anymore.
There is hope. I have found the right combination of meds for me and I'm ready to start vocational training in order to go back to work. I know it won't be as an engineer (way too much pressure) but I will get out of the house.
Posted by kellyR. on March 28, 2000, at 21:05:37
In reply to Depression has made me stupid, posted by Ned on March 27, 2000, at 19:02:20
> Hi all,
>
> My depression has caused me to feel extremely stupid. I've lost all analytical reasoning abilities, my memory is terrible, and have lost my common sense.
> I cannot articulate myself at all and my writing skills are gone. CAn anyone out there relate to this?
>
> Very scared,
>
> NedNed,I'm in the same boat,I've been back to work now for a month,& it seems to be hard to do things,remember little things,I wonder if they think i'm stupid or just lazy.I'm tring very hard to keep on top of my job & if they can't see that then they can go to hell.Try writing things down so you don't forget it,& take one day at a time.
Posted by Elena Latici on March 29, 2000, at 18:46:56
In reply to Re: Depression has made me stupid, posted by kellyR. on March 28, 2000, at 21:05:37
>
Ned--
Perhaps one of the most insidious things about depression is its ability to make us believe things which are not true. While the illness and the effect it has on one's brain chemistry (or resulting from chemistry gone awry) can certainly make you FEEL as if you've lost your ability to reason analytically or to express yourself verbally, it doesn't actually destroy one's talents.I have been through several episodes of severe depression and recovered as, indeed, I am recovering from one now as I write this. In a way, I've found my thinking process and writing capabilities (I am a professional writer, or was once and will no doubt soon be again)have sharpened. Having been down at the bottom for so long so many times I've developed a better bull**** detector and trust me, it does wonders for my ability to reason.
So don't add to the horrible feelings you are presently experiencing by fearing a general loss of mind and self altogether. They're right where you left them eagerly awaiting a reunion with your perception.
All best to you,
Elena> Hi all,
> >
> > My depression has caused me to feel extremely stupid. I've lost all analytical reasoning abilities, my memory is terrible, and have lost my common sense.
> > I cannot articulate myself at all and my writing skills are gone. CAn anyone out there relate to this?
> >
> > Very scared,
> >
> > Ned
>
> Ned,I'm in the same boat,I've been back to work now for a month,& it seems to be hard to do things,remember little things,I wonder if they think i'm stupid or just lazy.I'm tring very hard to keep on top of my job & if they can't see that then they can go to hell.Try writing things down so you don't forget it,& take one day at a time.
Posted by Tammy on March 29, 2000, at 23:13:17
In reply to Re: Depression has made me stupid, posted by Elena Latici on March 29, 2000, at 18:46:56
> >
> Ned--
> Perhaps one of the most insidious things about depression is its ability to make us believe things which are not true. While the illness and the effect it has on one's brain chemistry (or resulting from chemistry gone awry) can certainly make you FEEL as if you've lost your ability to reason analytically or to express yourself verbally, it doesn't actually destroy one's talents.
>
Very well put! I was lying to myself as well....telling myself what an awful person I had become. And everyone around me would just tell me to cheer up. Or just quit obsessing about everything. Like I did these awful things to myself by choice. So you are absolutely right..it is chemical and when the chemicals are restored, we can get back to the work of being and finding out just who we REALLY are.
Thanks for the great post.
Tammy
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