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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sar on March 30, 2001, at 20:09:20
Hey all,
What does "TRD" stand for?And what is meant by "loss of cognition" due to severe depression? I've had a very difficult time reading at length since the onset of a severe depressive episode last summer...does that qualify as loss of cognition?
Thanks yall...
irie,
sar
Posted by JahL on March 30, 2001, at 20:21:11
In reply to terminology questions, posted by sar on March 30, 2001, at 20:09:20
> >What does "TRD" stand for?Treatment Resistant Depression.
> > And what is meant by "loss of cognition" due to severe depression?'Cognition' is the mental process by which knowledge is aquired (ie yr ability to 'take in' info). So loss of this ability.
> >I've had a very difficult time reading at length since the onset of a severe depressive episode last summer...does that qualify as loss of cognition?
Absolutely!! (see above)
Cognitive difficulties (a curse I share with you) are a very common symptom of depression.
Jah.
Posted by elten on April 1, 2001, at 7:53:39
In reply to Re: terminology answers » sar, posted by JahL on March 30, 2001, at 20:21:11
> Hi Just found this site and I too am having questions about terminology. I've been having trouble with reading for quite some time now. Are you a normally fast reader or slow? If I have to read more that a couple of sentences. It's as if my eyes skim through the letters really fast but it just doesn't sink it. How long have you had the "TRD".
> > >What does "TRD" stand for?
>
> Treatment Resistant Depression.
>
> > > And what is meant by "loss of cognition" due to severe depression?
>
> 'Cognition' is the mental process by which knowledge is aquired (ie yr ability to 'take in' info). So loss of this ability.
>
> > >I've had a very difficult time reading at length since the onset of a severe depressive episode last summer...does that qualify as loss of cognition?
>
> Absolutely!! (see above)
>
> Cognitive difficulties (a curse I share with you) are a very common symptom of depression.
>
> Jah.
Posted by JahL on April 1, 2001, at 10:01:05
In reply to Re: terminology answers, posted by elten on April 1, 2001, at 7:53:39
> > Hi Just found this site and I too am having questions about terminology. I've been having trouble with reading for quite some time now. Are you a normally fast reader or slow?
I'm 'normally' a fast, capable reader.
> > If I have to read more that a couple of sentences. It's as if my eyes skim through the letters really fast but it just doesn't sink it.
Same. Sometimes I can read a page 10 times w/o having a clue what it's on about. I skim-read most of the time these days (picking out salient points); I just don't have the focus or attn for long tracts of text. This is v. frustrating since reading is one of the few activities even severely depressed people can theoretically still participate in.
> > How long have you had the "TRD".
Since a kid.
J.
Posted by elten on April 1, 2001, at 15:00:06
In reply to Re: terminology answers » elten, posted by JahL on April 1, 2001, at 10:01:05
> > > Hi Just found this site and I too am having questions about terminology. I've been having trouble with reading for quite some time now. Are you a normally fast reader or slow?
>
> I'm 'normally' a fast, capable reader.
>
> > > If I have to read more that a couple of sentences. It's as if my eyes skim through the letters really fast but it just doesn't sink it.
>
> Same. Sometimes I can read a page 10 times w/o having a clue what it's on about. I skim-read most of the time these days (picking out salient points); I just don't have the focus or attn for long tracts of text. This is v. frustrating since reading is one of the few activities even severely depressed people can theoretically still participate in.
>
> > > How long have you had the "TRD".
>
> Since a kid.
> J.J,
Me too , about being a fast reader anyway. It almost feels like i'm too impatient and feel like I HAVE to hurry and skim over and over and over.
My family truly believes I'm a speed reader and are pretty impressed how fast I can go through a book. lol Unfortunately only about 10% really sticks They have no idea how frustrating it is.
Do you have any trouble with writing? I kind of do. Like I know what I want to say but can't make up my mind which words I want to use. Very weird.
elten
Posted by JahL on April 1, 2001, at 18:04:01
In reply to Re: terminology answers » JahL, posted by elten on April 1, 2001, at 15:00:06
> > Do you have any trouble with writing?Very much so. It is a talent of mine but with my brain being the state it is, I can barely string a sentence together these days. Maintaining a train of thought beyond a couple of sentences is a tall order. Diction & syntax are knackered.
> > I kind of do. Like I know what I want to say but can't make up my mind which words I want to use. Very weird.
Sounds like impairment of 'word-finding' ability, something I can definitely relate to (& a common complaint amongst depressives). It's like trying to read a dictionary in the dark.
I find this translates into my speech & gives the impression I'm a little slow & hesitant, when in fact I'm struggling desperately to find the right words!
J.
Posted by sar on April 2, 2001, at 2:57:07
In reply to terminology questions, posted by sar on March 30, 2001, at 20:09:20
...I think the three of us have a lot in common, unfortunately. If either/any of you find ways to improve, please let me know...i've found that wine and bud are most successful at slowing my reading down (and making it sink in) but...lol...mayve not the best treatment? Who knows...
irie,
sar
Posted by JahL on April 2, 2001, at 12:34:48
In reply to thanks, you two..., posted by sar on April 2, 2001, at 2:57:07
> > ...I think the three of us have a lot in common, unfortunately. If either/any of you find ways to improve, please let me know...i've found that wine and bud are most successful at slowing my reading down (and making it sink in) but...lol...mayve not the best treatment? Who knows...
Maybe not the best treatment but all-day-long bud (& I'm not talking the bottled variety!) relaxes me enough to read @ length. Couldn't do w/o it.
FWIW, I recently started Lamotrigine (now 75mg/day) & have noticed a discernable improvement in cognition, to the point where I can actually post here & get through a coupla of newspapers a day. I am hoping a higher dose (150-200mg) will finish the job.
J.
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