Does PTSD, Depression lower intelligence?

[grt123]

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?

[grt123]

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.

[IreneM]

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.