Falling IQ scores

[zaftigmama]

Just to echo labesi, I take Lamictal as well and I've definitely noticed that it makes me dopey--it's gotten better since I take it at night. My word recall is terrible sometimes--I struggled and struggled to think of the word "habitat" and, like labesi and many BP people, I was extremely bright before. This all changes--some days are worse than others--and I do take Adderall to help maintain mental alertness.

As far as lithium causing dulling, I've never heard that, but everybody responds differently. Lithium, IME, causes weight gain--like I told my pdoc, I can either be fat(ter) and smart or skinnier and stupid.

[MidwestMom]

Smallmom, I'm sorry about the problems your dear child is having with school.

I think, from my own experience, than any psychiatric med can cause cognitive dulling. My daughter experienced it on depakote. She was a teen and refused to take it, calling it "my stupid pill." My son takes Lamictal and it helps his moodswings a lot, but he has had many not-so-well-known side effects to it. Mood disorders don't cause cognitive dulling, although the effects of them can make learning and concentrating difficult (I know this first hand), but the meds we have to take are not benign.

I hope you can figure out what is happening and resolve it ASAP. It's good to see you here again, however I'm sorry you had to return. Take care.