Discussion Does depression make you dumber?

[Neon]

Does depression make you dumber? I've read articles on it before but never experienced it myself up until recently (after having depression for about 5 years), I find myself not knowing the right phrases/responses to say, misspelling alot of words, not coming up with coherent thought, and I'm wondering if it has to do with my depression making me like this or just something else.

 

[Kogoruhn]

I believe it does, same case for anxiety. When i was at my worst moment on my social anxiety disorder, i was so overwhelmed in my thinking that a lot of times missed the flow of conversations, i had disorganized thoughts and couldn"t find the best way to say something

 

[Smilla]

Absolutely.

 

[throwaway777]

Does depression make you dumber? I've read articles on it before but never experienced it myself up until recently, I find myself not knowing the right phrases/responses to say, misspelling alot of words, not coming up with coherent thought, and I'm wondering if it has to do with my depression making me like this or just something else.

it definitely makes me dumber … but then when i realize how much dumb i am … well .. this makes me more depressed …

 

[ctoan]

they are scientifical studies on this

your brain starts to shrink...no joke..i think you can even see on mrt

 

[Lra888]

Does depression make you dumber? I've read articles on it before but never experienced it myself up until recently (after having depression for about 5 years), I find myself not knowing the right phrases/responses to say, misspelling alot of words, not coming up with coherent thought, and I'm wondering if it has to do with my depression making me like this or just something else.

Depression and anxiety make me introspective to the point where a lot of what goes on around me doesn't really register properly. It becomes hard to focus for example when reading my mind drifts and I don't retain the information sufficiently, difficulty interacting conversationally etc.

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

Brain fog, sluggishness, incoherent thought, inability to concentrate and impaired memory can all be caused by depression. This shit is the story of my life. In addition to anxiety, OCD, PTSD and dissociative symptoms of course. If you're gonna be mentally ill, you may as well go big, that's what I always say.

 

[agreement]

todally ... I mean abzolutely ... ok , nevermint ...

 

[Trashcan]

Yes. I used to be a good student before I had depression.

 

[Life sucks]

No. Because there are many aspects and not all of them will be affected negatively. On the contrary, some will be more positive while others will remain neutral.

Just look at many of what depressed people write on the internet and reddit for example. The deep analysis of life and finding real faults isn't something "dumb" will do. Actually, the non-depressed might not realize the truths a depressed one can find.

My depression enhanced my mentality and rational thinking, it gave me a very big boost. I could be "dumber" without it.

But if it means social interaction, taking decisions and many other sides then yea maybe I'm worse.


I know everyone is different, but for me, despite everything, I would thank my depression for being a big part the played a role in exposing life.

 

[Virgo]

No. Because there are many aspects and not all of them will be affected negatively. On the contrary, some will be more positive while others will remain neutral.

Just look at many of what depressed people write on the internet and reddit for example. The deep analysis of life and finding real faults isn't something "dumb" will do. Actually, the non-depressed might not realize the truths a depressed one can find.

My depression enhanced my mentality and rational thinking, it gave me a very big boost. I could be "dumber" without it.

But if it means social interaction, taking decisions and many other sides then yea maybe I'm worse.


I know everyone is different, but for me, despite everything, I would thank my depression for being a big part the played a role in exposing life.

Saved me the effort of having to post something similar. :)

 

[Dean]

To be honest I disagree with this. Some of histories smartest people struggled with depression. Sylvia Plath for example wrote most of her poems during her depressive episodes and she truly is a genius. Virginia Woolf as well. I think depression makes you lazy and takes away motivation which is why some people struggle in school/everyday life. Many studies suggest that depressed people are more intelligent and they can see things more objectively than others... just my two cents.

 

[Pointlessabyss]

Honest answer is I think it's down to the individual.

I feel as if these days I don't retain information unless it something that peaks my interest so naturally I don't think I absorb information that well but somehow seem to regurgitate it under pressure.
My ex suffered with depression and was a trainee doctor one of the smartest women I have had the privilege of knowing, way smarter than me and could retain information after readiging it.

So I would say no and it's down to the individual

 

[Virgo]

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/depressions-evolutionary/

 

[Final Escape]

Yes, everyone already covered it. It seems to make it difficult to make decisions, communicate. I think the low social contact makes you become awkward if you don't have people to interact with fairly regularly.

I had a breakdown/major depression at age 20 and lost 20lbs in a month, suddenly I was oversleeping severely, lost appetite, could barely make it to work, the people at the bar told me to lay off the nose candy but I had not yet been prescribed Adderall at that point yet.

What was interesting is that I was living with my family at this time still and nobody noticed anything but did mention to me that I was beginning to look a little thin. They were there as I was practically catatonic not even bothering to ask if I'm alright.

I did have family who pretty much abandoned me so I shouldn't be surprised but still. It just shows you how severe the neglect or disinterest in you can be by people who see you regularly and are supposed to give a shit.

At the time a boyfriend convinced me to move to Las Vegas with him and I felt like I had nothing going on so I went with him. While down there the depression lifted suddenly and it was really noticeable to me. I'm assuming it was because the sun is so strong and consistent, also I got away from the environment that was depressing me temporarily.

 

[ctoan]

https://www.medicaldaily.com/depres...ists-have-found-protein-responsible-it-278352

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

Does depression make you dumber? I've read articles on it before but never experienced it myself up until recently (after having depression for about 5 years), I find myself not knowing the right phrases/responses to say, misspelling alot of words, not coming up with coherent thought, and I'm wondering if it has to do with my depression making me like this or just something else.

I don't know but I'm depressed because I'm dumb. :(

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

they are scientifical studies on this

your brain starts to shrink...no joke..i think you can even see on mrt

Now I'm even more depressed. :(

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

Brain fog, sluggishness, incoherent thought, inability to concentrate and impaired memory can all be caused by depression. This shit is the story of my life. In addition to anxiety, OCD, PTSD and dissociative symptoms of course. If you're gonna be mentally ill, you may as well go big, that's what I always say.

Brain Fog - Check
Sluggishness - Check
Incoherent Thought - Check
Inability To Concentrate - Check
Impaired Memory - Check
OCD - Check
Anxiety - Check
Dissociative Symptoms - Check

I'm so screwed !!!

 

[Walilamdzi]

I feel that I'm not as sharp as I was a few years ago.

 

[vaulthunter]

I find myself not knowing the right phrases/responses to say, misspelling alot of words, not coming up with coherent thought, and I'm wondering if it has to do with my depression making me like this or just something else.

since my depression got really severe i've noticed this too—constantly stumbling over my sentences, making no sense and getting flustered when speaking. its crazy how far gone from yourself you really get

 

[housecat]

I can get more confused, which can make expressing myself harder. And I pay less attention to things, either to minimise stress or because I don't care. But less intelligent? No.

 

[Youthanasia]

I actually believe that as long as you don't dwell in comfortable thoughts such as suicide in your depression, it actually can make you smarter.

I dont think it's reasonable to say I have depression even though I'm suicidal. I've had a legit period of depression on my teenage days and therapy gave me some of the tools I used to kick it out of my life.

And in my happiest days, I was actually glad I went through that because as a wise asian maniac said once, what doesn't kill you make you more strong. And that is still noticeable to me.

 

[Roberto]

I red we have 30% less IQ when depressive.

 

[Xaphous]

Yes but isolation does more

 

[Divine Trinity]

I think depression is either neutral or positively associated with certain brain processes, but the person is susceptible to harmful activities that negate or surpass those benefits.

All in all, it's complicated.

 

[TAW122]

I don't think it necessarily makes me dumber, but it does hamper my productivity and functioning in daily life. In other words, I become less efficient and less functional, thus not getting much things done, or moving slower than usual on many tasks.

 

[Roberto]

I think I've been born retarded. But thanks to depression, now I'm idiot.

 

[uiop]

Depression and anxiety rots your mind with negative thoughts, which become increasingly intrusive. When these bad thoughts become more severe, you will lose cognition in favor for intuitive thinking.

 

[Anjellnight]

En mi experiencia personal...yo creo que si...realmente me cuesta más prestar atención...realmente siento que se me dificulta todo...hasta respirar...