topic Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence? in PTSD and trauma

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 19:39:05 GMT

My now former husband was a businessman. I've seen him negotiating 4 deals simultaneously and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of the world and history. But today I wouldn't trust him to address an envelope - he's just as likely to write his own address instead. He can't organise himself to make and attend a medical appointment, he can't follow conversations and has no common sense. His ability to drive is impaired - he misjudges gaps and his steering is exaggerated. This week I asked him to measure a table with a tape measure and he couldn't do it. His psychiatrist referred to a 'dramatic decline in function' which I understand could come from being overwhelmed and drugged up. But I am 100% sure this is permanent - it's like a brain injury. Can anyone explain this to me?

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

therising — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 22:09:49 GMT

Hi grt123

I've heard it said before that intelligence is 'the ability to process information'. With a huge variety of different states of intelligence (academic, emotional, artistic etc) there's also a huge variety of reasons when it comes to what creates some form of disability. Of course, as you touched on, certain medications can hinder our ability to process information.

Personally, I don't know too much about PTSD but I have researched a fair bit about depression and to say it is complex is an understatement. Our body is such an interactive thing in so very many ways (mentally, chemically and so on). A specific type of interaction is what defines 'depression'. By the way, when I came out of depression some years ago, I found things to be pretty astounding; my perception and ability to process information had changed dramatically.

Of course, it's best that your ex's GP or psychiatrist don't just assume that the dramatic decline in function is simply PTSD or depression related. It can't hurt to request that a brain MRI be done, to rule out other possible factors. Another benefit to getting the MRI is it creates a baseline; if there is further decline, they'll have scans for comparison. Also, I assume his GP has done blood tests for thyroid function, iron, active B12 (more telling than the basic B12 blood test) etc. These are all things that can dramatically impact mental processing.There could be a collection of issues all happening at once, therefor a thorough investigation will address all possibilities.

If you're in a position to advocate for you ex, push to have all the tests done, push for a change in medication which will improve his abilities and push for progress in all other ways possible. Also, it couldn't hurt to look into the benefits of a care plan which may include access to taxi vouchers. Staying off the road 'til his driving ability improves sounds like the way to go.

Take care of yourself grt123

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

romantic_thi3f — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 23:32:06 GMT

Hi grt123,

Thanks for your post.

Despite being very concerning, the way that you've described your former husband does not surprise me. The nature of PTSD is incredibly complex in the brain.

A basic crash course (I'm not sure how much you know about how PTSD works) is that our amygdala (flight or fight response) works total overtime long after the threat has passed. Usually when we are in flight or flight response our prefrontal cortex helps us - providing rational thought "it's not a spider, just a piece of lint", but in trauma it's "too quiet". The prefrontal cortex also helps us out with things like decision making, focusing and judgement.

Our hippocampus is in charge of memory, which understandably is affected by trauma too. So while lots of parts of the brain are affected, these are a couple of reasons that would explain why your former husband is behaving this way.

I hope that this makes sense ! and helps explain things in a better way. While things can mimic a brain injury well, the damage isn't permanent.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

Croix — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 00:02:17 GMT

Dear Grt123~

Welcome here, there are many who have ether felt the effects of PTSD themselves, or like you as someone trying to cope and understand.

I'm sorry it got to the stage where you had to leave, though I think you are doing a marvelous job in still trying to help by running errands and the other things you do. Knowings one's own limitations is impossibly hard where someone we love is concerned and for you to make the break shows wisdom.

Your ex's condition is weighing heavily on you, but that is better than the day to day life you would have had.

I did read your helpful post to Bellarosa, sadly guilt and feelings of failure - though completely undeserved - do come.

Now as to the permanent effects of PTSD, I can only go on my own experiences, which has not been quite as severe -from what I can see in your post - as your ex's. Please bear in mind everyone is different, and each medication has its own effects too.

I could not concentrate, whereas before I'd been a speed reader. Now reading one line became just about impossible - if I had even wanted to try. Driving was not good, the mind could become preoccupied with other scenes and there was non left for driving. I'd end up at the wrong destination too. Anger bad, and resentment accompanied it, sadly to those closest to me. Desire to be alone was strong.

Wanting not to be in this life was strong, and suicidal thoughts were there.

I can exactly imagine not being able to use a tape measure.

I got better, not as I was before, but better with a life no longer ruled by the illness -far from it. I have occupation, accomplishment, satisfaction, self worth and am able to give and receive love.

I can't say what will happen with you ex, all I can say was that in my own case my mental functions -and my emotional ones -returned.

I wanted and received constant professional care - I still do. I started very late but that is another problem. All the way though I have had a GP, a psychiatrist and sometimes psychologists too as well as hospitalization.

I'm not trying to build up false hope, I emphasize again people , circumstances and reactions are individual things.

As I said before I not only think you are doing the best thing, but the only thing, if you wish to be able to live a bearable life.

Croix

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 18:38:52 GMT

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 19:23:20 GMT

Thank you for your response and kindness. If you read my other post you'd know that 'defiance' has been an issue. If he'd been like you, and actively tried to get better, I'm sure things would have worked out differently.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 19:47:02 GMT

Thanks for the explanation. Extraordinary that some bung wiring can make a person just disappear.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 16:15:44 GMT

I'm closing the circle here with new information. It's his drinking that's lead to his impairment - hepatic encephalopathy.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

therising — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 17:42:46 GMT

Hi grt123

So glad to hear there is a firm diagnosis, so you know exactly what you're dealing with. Hoping the path ahead is somewhat easier and brighter now that some light has been shed.

Take care

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

geoff — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 17:53:18 GMT

Hello Grt, I'm very sorry to hear of this and have read the replies from those who have been able to do so.

Liver function blood tests suggested by his doctor will determine whether this could be caused by his deteriorating liver .

I wonder this been done so you know if it's hepatic encephalopathy?

Geoff.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

grt123 — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 20:00:57 GMT

Thanks for the quick responses Geoff and Therising. He's been diagnosed with liver disease so it's clear what's occurring. There was a shift a couple of years ago - subtle but nonetheless a game changer. I put it down to his PTSD and depression but it was clearly more physiological than that. He was like a big, dangerous baby. Sleepy. Slurring. Simple. Helpless. No sense of restraint (money/violence/food/alcohol). When he was around other people he was like a character pretending to be his old self. I could see he made them uncomfortable. I don't see any light here I'm afraid. I am just praying that this dulls his awareness of what's ahead.

Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

IreneM — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 22:44:53 GMT

HI grt123

Big thanks to the others, but it is common for mental issues to be secondary to physical issues and in his case liver issues.

The thing that I want to reassure you off most is that mental issues do not mean a lower intelligence level, especially if managed with the right mental help. Sounds like you have got a good medical team, but I encourage further mental support as well, not only for him but also for yourself.

Lets take Michael Jackson for example. He was very well-known for his music and yet he had more mental issues than many of us. He still had a very good intelligence quota. Most of us with mental issues tend to get taken the wrong way, and put down in spite of our high intelligence. For some people having a mental issue could be a sign of a high intelligence, it is just a matter of finding where that talent is and utilising it - in the case of Michael Jackson - music.

We all have an area that we are good at. For example when I was bed-bound and could not go anywhere due to being fussed over medically I developed the ability to still do things with my hands. That turned into a gift.

So don't be too quick to give up hope on your husband. There is good in all of us. Check out the Personal Best tab above and go to supporting someone else. Great Resources!

Irene.