Antidepressants & Memory/Slow Thinking?

[BM_11]

I have been medication for close to 5 months now. Overall, it's levelling my mood and i'm not experiencing as many "lows" and irrational moods as i was previously, however i've found that it is really affecting:

- the speed of my thought process,

- my ability to think of the relevant words i want to use (I often take a longer time to say what i am thinking because i am fumbling for the word i want to use?),

- short term memory loss in that I struggle to recall simple things that may have only occurred the day before or earlier that day,

- my ability to remember things is terrible (I have had to have my PIN replaced 2 times due to "mind blank").

I just feel like so much of the time i feel completely blank, with no thoughts at all. Like my brain is empty. It is the strangest feeling. Kind of like a zombie and that I have just completely tuned out and checked out? I absolutely hate it.. 😞

I am so concerned about this as it is affecting my work and life in general. I just want to be able to feel again...

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Zeal]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

It is great that you are experiencing less low moods! I'm sorry to hear that your ability to perform well cognitively and remember things is being affected though.
I have been taking antidepressants (SSRI's) for several years, and haven't experienced this problem. There are different types of antidepressant meds, which can affect people differently. It is possible these cognitive and memory issues could be related to other factors, rather than the medication you're taking.

Having a chat about these concerns with the doctor who prescribed the medication is a good idea. I hope you can sort out these concerns, and start feeling more alert and aware.

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Kazzl]

Hi BM, welcome to the forum. Yes, I know what you mean - myself and my partner have both experienced what you describe on antidepressants, and I still experience such things now I'm on a mood stabiliser. We have both had considerable lethargy along with the cognitive deficit symptoms.

Might be time to talk with your GP about trying a different AD - they don't all have the same side effects. Your doc will know if it's a good idea - and advise you on the transition process. Otherwise, perhaps it's just taking some time to settle in - again ask your doc if it's likely to improve, maybe set a timeframe for monitoring it.

Sometimes it can take a while to get the right medications at the right dose, that has been our experience. Very best wishes to you BM, let us know how you get on. It's good to hear your mood has improved. I'm sure your doctor can help with the rest too.

Kaz

[white knight]

Hi BM

I have had this for several years.

I'm on a high level of mood stabilisers and low dose of Ad's.

A few months ago I got quite moody and decided to raise the mood stabilisers and that prove worse. Then I lowered them beyond what I was originally on, wow, what a magic dosage for me.!!

But two other things apart from less moods were-

- I started to cease calling my daughter by our dogs name....yes it happened all the time and she took offence until we discussed it with her and told her it was beyond my control. Now it doesn't happen!!!

- I'm remembering things like shopping items without writing it down.

I'm an advocate of medication where needed by the right dose for us all is the one to seek out. it could be that you are on a slightly too high a dose and I'd urge you to seek your GP's advice on this.

Every couple of years my meds need "tweaking".

Tony WK