Before I was diagnosed SZA, and before I got brain lesions, I scored a 160 on a standardized I.Q. test I took in college during a psych class. Since having brain lesions and SZA, I’ve noticed a significant decline. I recently bought a textbook that requires a lot of memorization and I couldn’t do it. I also don’t problem solve well anymore. I’m genuinely heartbroken over it. I wish I could get my meds, my frame of mind, and my situation right and work like a normal person. But so far I can’t. I’m declining instead of improving. It really hurts my soul. It a pain from deep within. Is there any hope of regaining what I lost?
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I feel the same way. I was quite bright before I had my first hospitalisation.
Now I jam up when reading an instruction booklet for something.
I honestly don’t know if there’s a way out.
I work around it though. Sometimes I listen to audiobooks of books I’d like to read but can’t.
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Those are good ideas. At least you haven’t given up!!! That’s really great!
Do you use an android smartphone ? I sometimes use this app which reads stuff out loud. I use it to create my own audiobooks too.
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Wow! That’s really cool @everhopeful. Thanks!
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I’m not on reading right now, don’t need to be braniac or whatever. Algernon. Just wanna read a book…
Between paranoia/delusions, attention issues, I’m not doing so good there.
Thing is, neg sx are gone, and getting past that restored my will to keep living.
I can’t read…I can exercise.
I can talk again…I can feel more again.
Like being temporarily blind then regaining sight.
My emotions are unstable, but might get better down the line.
That in and of itself is enough to make you wanna stick around and keep playing the game!
And we all have the potential to recover and be better!
Never let anyone tell you any different!
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The more I learn, even if I learn slowly, the more hope I’ve got.
I never wanna lose hope, and I know I’m in the right place.
Good days are on the horizon.
Emerge from the ashes like a Phoenix!
Nothing can stop you.
You are the toughest damn person out there.
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I’ve been like that since prodromal symptoms started in college. My doctor estimated I lost 10 IQ points although I was never tested. She said when she met me my IQ was 120 and it was now 110. It’s prevented me from going back to college and finishing my degree, it has prevented me from achieving my potential and having a good career. It’s just as much debilitating as the positives or more. I’ve lost a lot of advanced vocabulary I built up over the years. It’s harder to learn things and retain information. I cannot grasp difficult concepts as easily and as quickly as before. I can read and I can learn things but it’s not like it was before.
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I’m the same way @insidemind
I lose my words. I am unable to read more than a paragraph at a time. Ì sailed through school. Ì had an IQ of 150 in government standardized testing. Now I can’t finish a simple test. I’m so embarrassed that I continually stop in conversation so people can fill the gaps. Ì can no longer do simple math. I firmly believe that I am starting dementia.
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When I first got I’ll i went from A+ in cardiology (98%) to D- in respiratory medicine in the space of three months
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I could have written this myself. I used to be much smarter than I am now. I used to be witty and quick and could follow along to complex ideas. Now I struggle with dinosaur facts. It’s really killed my self esteem.
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@FatMama. I have a dr who thinks in early stage dementia too. I hope he’s wrong. I’m sorry you’re going through this too. If you’re willing to answer, how old are you? I’m 41.
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I’m sorry @anon94176359. That’s so hard to deal with.
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I’m sorry @LED. It’s so hard to deal with, and to me, its humiliating!
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I used to be considered a very bright person.
Today I have a difficult time remembering what I had for breakfast.
The decline is considerable.
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It’s definitely humiliating. I feel you there.
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I’m 50
And counting
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Do you guys blame the meds?
It’s probably a combination of the meds and the illness.
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