yep and i don't know what treatments have helped, but i can warn that in my experience high levels of trazadone (which is often prescribed to help beepers sleep) makes cognitive impairment worse. mainly i try to keep to a regimented schedule, use reminder cards, program things into my phone, make lists (i lave LOTS of lists), and generally use methods outside my brain to store and retrieve information. i read a good deal to keep my mind functioning and familiarise or refamilarise myself with words and their meanings.

what meds are you on?

I am REALLLLY struggling with this. In fact I just posted on the same thing last night!!!!

Acuriosfish I am taking
Lamotrigine

ok, I'm on that too and while I experienced some slowing down probably overall I function cognitively better.

So did this start when you went on the medication or is this something that has come on earlier?

Yes word retrieval and memory are a big problem for me at times.... Big hug....xo

acuriosfish, this is something I struggled with prior to taking the medication. The impairment is starting to interfere with my job and I'm afraid if I don't find a solution, I will be looking for a new one. :-(

Also, when I am hypomanic I have absolutely no trouble with this. I am super sharp and can express myself and sound very intelligent.

You need to discuss this with your doctor I think. If you had it before you went on meds and you don't feel impaired when you are hypomanic and this is your "normal state" (ie it's not confined to when you are depressed) then it sounds as if it's something other than bipolar.

It only happens during my depression episode. I never have a normal state. I'm either depressed or hypomanic.

I was also on lamotrgine and I went crazy,the side affects were so bad I had a manic episode and felt so high and like i wasn't even in my body and I cut all my hair off because i had no idea what I was doing. Then I experienced a huge low and got extremely suicidal I had to leave work that wad 5 months ago I'm not in anything anymore I think that medicine made it worse

I always experience memory problems my minds always clouded it seems like. I feel it really happens before i get my period. I'm taking multi vitamins and omega 3s that's seeming to help me somewhat but not enough

kelasha1594 I am so sorry to hear this. I don't experience spikes that extreme. I hope you are able to find peace and the appropriate medication for you. I am seeing my doctor today and am asking to be put on lithium. I'm hoping this will do the trick. I did read that lithium could mess with your thyroid and cause weight gain, so I hope that is not the case with me. Thank you all for your posts. It's nice to know I am not alone in my struggles :-)