Posted by Marley on April 2, 2004, at 22:58:09
In reply to ssri's effect on cognitive functioning???, posted by Mike Lynch on March 31, 2004, at 23:35:16
Hi Mike-
Regarding your memory loss, I've seen some interesting stuff recently about a possible link between depression and memory loss. What little I've read about it suggests that depression may cause the hippocampus to shrink. The hippocampus is a part of our brain associated with memory and learning. I did a quick search to see if I could find a reference for you, and found a good overview article from 2000, although I'm sure you could find something more recent if you looked for it:
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/04/18/stress.depress.wmd/And I always thought my poor memory was just a family trait! I guess it was, but maybe more related to the family disposition towards depression.
Another website I found is: http://www.psycheducation.org/emotion/hippocampus.htm
-This one implies that ADs may help prevent the shrinkage of the hippocampus. I think I've read other stuff about the hippocampus actually regenerating with the use of ADs, but I'm not sure of that (can't remember for sure!).Regarding the use of SSRIs and cognitive functioning, I also found that when I went on Prozac, my mental functioning seemed to improve significantly, especially at the beginning. Almost like "brain steroids"! Combine that with an increase in self-assuredness and assertiveness from the Prozac, and I moved up to a higher level of performance at work. After about a year, the Prozac stopped working for me, a gradual decline over time even as my dosage increased.
I am no longer on meds and deal with mild/moderate depression on a chronic basis. And to be honest, a large part of why I don't try to go back on meds is because they seem to only be a temporary fix for me, and I don't like dealing with the discrepancy between how I am on them, and how I am off of them. While I enjoyed feeling good and performing at a higher level while the SSRIs worked for me, I didn't like how that set expectations for my performance higher at work (while on SSRIs), only to lose my ability to meet those expectations after the SSRIs wore off. I don't know if anyone else has been through that?
Anyhow, I agree with the person who suggested coffee... it's one of the few things that gives my brain a kick when I'm off the meds.
Good luck!
poster:Marley
thread:331128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040402/msgs/331962.html