Is The Loss Of Cognitive Ability A Ptsd Symptom?

[Chondra]

During my last, major, traumatic episode I lost most of my ability to think clearly. As I slowly recovered and became aware of this, I sought, and was given, treatment from a brain trauma clinic. I worked on my recovery and learned new coping skills. A result of this effort is that I can now read, make decisions, and communicate with a basic level of competency for a few hours most days. This ability then gradually fades over the course of the day.

I wonder if this is a side affect of the PTSD or a symptom of something else? I will ask my therapist tomorrow, but I worry that she may not have an answer.

I appreciate any input.

If I am being unclear, please inform me and I will do my best to provide clarification. (Yes, that last was a learned coping skill ;) )

Thanks.

 

[ms spock]

I have found that the ability to prioritise, think clearly, work things out, think things through sequentially and understand and process information all have been severely affected by my PTSD at times. A friend started writing lists for me of activities broken down in to achievable steps. I have passed this handy hint on to a few people who are also (for whatever reason) cognitively challenged.

Sleep deprivation has been found, in some studies to have a significant impact on cognitive abilities.

 

[jeeps for now]

My understanding is whenever anxiety levels go up too much, our ability to perform (or think) decreases rapidly.

 

[intothelight]

Stress will can increase symptoms and for some people this can result in a decrease in cognitive ability, memory, or racing thoughts. Head injuries can also impact cognitive ability.

It is definitely a good idea to bring this up with your T and if it is a result of the PTSD, reducing stress and learning ways to cope with symptoms will significantly help to improve this area. I also found that reading, doing crosswords and other types of puzzles helped me improve.

 

[Chondra]

Thanks for the input!

I constantly try to push the envelope by reading and even posting later in the day. (This is on the advice of the trauma clinic) It is one reason why I joined the Forum. The main reason I joined though is that I finally could, my thinking had improved enough for me to participate.

Intothelight and Jeeps, I know you are correct, much of it is likely due to anxiety and stress. These grow in me as the day progresses. Evening is one of my biggest triggers. But it seems to be much more of an issue for me than "Difficulty thinking clearly" cause that implies I can think clearly. That is not always the case

Ms Spock, you describe a excellent technique I try to use, but it is one that I learned with great difficulty. Breaking a task down into workable chunks, then prioritizing these and working sequentially was nearly impossible at first. I had to learn how to further chunk down the chunks if that makes any sense. Getting someone to help with this may be a really good idea. I need to figure out who though as my wife is already stretched too thin IMHO.

Regarding sleep, I am charting my symptoms and triggers with the (now) free program called Optimism. So far, sleep seems to be the biggest culprit affecting the quality of my days.

Well, it is T time. I hope she does not tell me it is just a vitamin D deficiency. :cautious:

 

[ms spock]

Ms Spock, you describe a excellent technique I try to use, but it is one that I learned with great difficulty. Breaking a task down into workable chunks, then prioritizing these and working sequentially was nearly impossible at first.

Oh yes! Oh yes! Oh yes! It is SO hard at first and still it is a challenge for me. Sometimes I let important things go for months or even a year before getting to it. I do my best. Far from getting it all together but significantly improving.

I had to learn how to further chunk down the chunks if that makes any sense.

OH yes! It makes perfect sense. Sometimes making a list about how to make a list and break down how to think about it and what parts to think about it seems too hard. I wish I could do that with certain areas of my life but I am learning.

Getting someone to help with this may be a really good idea. I need to figure out who though as my wife is already stretched too thin IMHO.

Okay this is an excellent example of clear thinking and insight. You CAN clearly think. You are carefully considering your wife's out put and support of you and are being clever enough to know we need to look out and after the generous people, the supporters, those people that are the glue of us and the world in general. This is very good thinking and awareness so I suspect you are further along in this in some arenas than you give yourself credit or acknowledgement for.

Regarding sleep, I am charting my symptoms and triggers with the (now) free program called Optimism. So far, sleep seems to be the biggest culprit affecting the quality of my days.

YES! Oh yes! O sleep!

 

[ms spock]

Evening is one of my biggest triggers.

It is for me too as well, though it goes in cycles, sometimes even thinking about putting my self to bed is like climbing my own personal Mount Everest.

 

[ms spock]

My understanding is whenever anxiety levels go up too much, our ability to perform (or think) decreases rapidly.

Short term memory can be severely effected.

 

[Philippa]

Yes, I've had this plenty of times.

I recommended a programme last week by a company called Lumosity. I've been playing their games for about 2 weeks now, and it's not only fun, but I am making progress with improving memory, focus and even remembering names better...though still need to work some more at that one.

Check them out though if you get the chance. It's a worthy investment in my opinion.

 

[ms spock]

I play a game on my mobile phone and I am getting better and better in thinking it through and working things out. I do some of it every day. It does help building up those neural pathways in my brain!

Learning belly dancing has been repatterning my body as well and I am feeling differently in my body if that makes any sense. And I am learning stuff in my "muscle memory."

Typing games are good as well. You learn to type but you also get to have fun as well. There are heaps of typing games for children and they are in the form of a whole range of games - for the older or younger game player! I get a good giggle and sometimes I get in to the top 1000 players in the world! LMAO

Learning something new - not in a panic state - it seems to help me quite a bit.

 

[Chondra]

Belly Dancing? :laugh: I like that one a lot. And my typing sucks, so that idea is a go. I will check out Luminosity too. I really appreciate the tips. Funny how easy it is for me to forget that doing brain exercises and learning can be fun. They never taught me that at the brain trauma clinic...

My therapist also told me that the impaired thinking side affect can stack up. My "stack" is ADD, then major depression followed by PTSD. On top of all that we can add stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep. The fatigue and stress components help explain why I lose functionality over the course of the day. And yes, vitamin D deficiency can contribute too. So, I am having my vitamin D level tested on Monday. :rolleyes:

Question to MS Spock. What sort of typing games? Can you point me in the right direction?

I actually feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I was worried and had to struggle to make this post, but the feedback and support I have received made it well worth the effort.

 

[maddog]

As with so many aspects of our well-being, I think that the more we can try to take a holistic approach to self care which keeps everything in balance, the better we are likely to do long term. This includes physical exercise/stimulation, mental exercises such as the ones described here, adequate nutrition, emotional and psychological self expression, basic safety, stress management techniques, medications/supplements where appropriate, etc. No, none of this in itself is the miracle cure, but I do think that as impossibly difficult as it sometimes is to work on all of this at once, the more we can, the better we're likely to function overall.

I know this rings true for myself and that the less I sleep, the more stressed/anxious I am, the less I am exercising, the poorer my diet etc, the less my brain seems to want to do anything other than loll around confusedly and let me down.

It's a tough and frustrating one, especially when you're used to being fairly mentally sharp, and it does take work and self care.

Maddog