Do Antidepressants Impact IQ?

[Hobin]

So what does everyone think about the lose of 'critical' thinking? Is it one person's bad reaction? I would think its kind of hard to tell with paintings, they can be subjective. Painter, did you previously have problems critiquing, or worry that you would?

I think it's a misguided idea that you really lose your ability to think critically. Let's say you're obsessing over little things about yourself before taking an SSRI. Now, when you're using an SSRI that works for you, it's quite possible that you'll stop doing that, because quite simply, you feel better. This does not mean you have lost any skills in critical thinking, but that you are no longer as emotionally involved with the thoughts you previously obsessed about. You can still think about these issues, if you want, it just won't bother you as much. In fact, I think it's likely that when you think about what you previously obsessed about, you see things in a much more rational light.

What I think is that it's possible that some (doses of) SSRIs are too effective for some people, so to speak, so they stop being emotionally involved in things they want to be involved in, and this can give the impression of losing your critical thinking skills. In reality, it might be more of a concentration problem. It sucks to concentrate on things you don't care about as much as before.

Another good point was brought up: SSRIs fight off obsessive, OCD like thinking. I would have just thought because your mood is enhanced you are less likely to constantly worry over and over. But, does it somehow affect all obsessive thoughts, like the ability to obsess over problem until you can solve it?

It depends. Some obsessive thoughts are caused by a lack of self-esteem which, in turn, can be caused by a brain disorder such as depression or bipolar. Medication has helped me deal with such obsessions: it made me feel better about myself, so I no longer needed to obsess about such things; I no longer cared as much. However, unless you have a similar emotional connection to your homework, it shouldn't make much of a difference in that regard.

On the other hand, it can become a problem if you overdose on an SSRI or if an SSRI is particularly effective for you. Like I mentioned earlier, this may affect how much you care about things like your homework, which in turn will affect your ability to do it. With practice, you may be able to 'override' such emotions with your intellect so you can still do it, but a. it's still harder if you don't feel like doing it, and b. if you haven't tried different doses or a differrent antidepressant yet, do so now.

Another possibility is that you're experiencing apathy, which can be a serious side-effect of SSRIs. If that is the case, I repeat my advice of trying a different antidepressant. Apathy is not something you should take for granted when using an antidepressant.

 

[painterperson]

I didn't lose my ability to think critically - but I do feel to some extent that I have to work harder at it - like there is a something there softening the edges of criticality.

I rather feel like my creative side (right brain if you like to think of it that way) is more free - so I can tap into that. Some think that when people discuss right/brain left/brain that painters think that they are ONLY thinking with the right side of the brain. I don't think that at all. But I do think that there are left brain types of thinking - the ones more likely to get all OCD about things - and esp. negative things which is the type of thing that (many) meds control.

I can still obsess about things when I want to :)

Also - different meds have different effects on motivation and all sorts of other things. The ideal is to be calm enough to work on what you want/need to do - but not so calm that you don't care.

There is a wide variety of meds out there. Some work on some things more than others and it is perfectly possible that some work more on anxiety and don't do anything at all that affect critical type of thinking.

I hope that my comments might help you when you discuss with your doctor who will hopefully be aware of these things and can guide you to the best one for you. :)