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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Cognitive Impairment?

Hello! I have been a very hard working and intelligent student for so many years until I started Uni in 2011. On getting to Uni, i realised that the level of my intelligence has dropped significantly. I lack confidence, forget very easily (find it very difficult to remember things that happened even very recently) and feel really depressed all the time. I was just surfing the internet when I decided to google loss of intelligence and something came up known as cognitive impairment . I want to believe that is the general term referring to my current situation. I would please like to know if this problem is curable and if yes then how? Thanks!
Thu, 22 May 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi,

I read your query and can understand your distress regarding your condition. From what you have mentioned, it seems that you might be suffering from depressive episode. The symptoms of feeling depressed, lack of confidence and lack of attention and concentration are part of depressive episode.

The decline in academic performance can be due to the same reason. Cognitive impairment is a term used to describe impairment in memory, attention, concentration, intelligence judgement, etc. It can be due to multiple reasons. In your case, the problem is depression because of which you are not able to concentrate, which is manifesting as academic decline.

Your condition is highly amenable to treatment. I would suggest that you seek a psychiatric consultation. Treatment with anti-depressant medications like sertraline, escitalopram is safe and effective. I addition, you can also start exercising daily which will help in your condition. Avoid any drugs or alcohol as well.

Hope this information was helpful. Best wishes.
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What Causes Cognitive Impairment?

Hi, I read your query and can understand your distress regarding your condition. From what you have mentioned, it seems that you might be suffering from depressive episode. The symptoms of feeling depressed, lack of confidence and lack of attention and concentration are part of depressive episode. The decline in academic performance can be due to the same reason. Cognitive impairment is a term used to describe impairment in memory, attention, concentration, intelligence judgement, etc. It can be due to multiple reasons. In your case, the problem is depression because of which you are not able to concentrate, which is manifesting as academic decline. Your condition is highly amenable to treatment. I would suggest that you seek a psychiatric consultation. Treatment with anti-depressant medications like sertraline, escitalopram is safe and effective. I addition, you can also start exercising daily which will help in your condition. Avoid any drugs or alcohol as well. Hope this information was helpful. Best wishes.