Depression-related pseudodementia
 

Hi,

I'm interested in the potential impact clinical depression could have on a subject's cognitive abilities - particularly one's memory.

I've become increasingly aware and distressed of significant memory problems over the past 2-3 years. For the purpose of this discussion I'll refrain from posting my potentially-related symptoms and focus on the fact that I've suffered from clinical depression all of my adult life. I'm 28 years old.

From a personal perspective my memory has become poor enough to significantly hamper nearly every aspect of existence. Most conversations are frustrating and limited as I often forget what I've said, what the other party has said, or what we're talking about entirely. Frequently I'll trail off into a kind of lost silence. I will repeat the same remarks/stories - this may happen as soon as the same minute and as far removed as several months later, with the recipient pointing out that I've already said as much.

Learning is even worse. Recollection of details is a struggle to the extreme.

Frighteningly I will forget my SS#, cell phone, and PIN numbers. Long-term passwords are forgotten, and I've even struggled to spell my first name on occasion. Sometimes I'll forget where I'm going or why I'm going there, whether it's a walk to the next room or driving miles down the road from where I live. Etcetera.

My neurologist administered a battery of exams that reveal much of my cognitive function remains intact, scoring above average as long as it had nothing to do with memory. The Wechsler intelligence testing placed me at an average score of 122. The memory equivalent showed significant deficits, with scores ranging from high 70s to mid 80s - well below average.

Their final diagnosis was pseudo-dementia due to chronic depression.

Knowing that psychological disorders are often accompanied by some degree of cognitive dysfunction, is it likely that this degree of impairment is entirely attributed to depression? It seems severe to me, and I don't remember it ever being this bad earlier in life.

What are your thoughts on the subject of cognitive impairment from depression? Personal experience and clinical input welcome.

Hi IQDeclined

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I have lived with Major Depressive Disorder for years. It is now well-managed thanks to a combination of medication and learning CBT and mindfulness/meditation methods. When it was poorly-managed I did have some cognitive problems but no longer.

I am not a clinician but my partner is (a clinical psychologist). Her comment was that your neurologist probably gave you a standard series of psychometric tests. She was not impressed with the diagnosis of pseudo-dementia.

She suggested that you get your neurologist to arrange for some physical examinations (maybe MRI or fMRI). It is possible that your cognitive issues have nothing to do with your clinical depression. The results of those examinations might help in this context.

All the best.

Hi IQDeclined

Welcome to Neurotalk (NT). I hope you're able to find some support and answers to your queries about cognitive issues with depression. Kiwi has given you some good advice about seeking further physical evaluation.

I would like to add, from my experience, depression can add to cognitive dysfunction - however at this stage in medical progress it is very hard for clinicians to accurately match the symptoms with the direct cause - there being so many overlapping scenarios.

Your question prompted me to do some further research and I came across this recent interesting article (so thanks for getting me started). I hope it can explain for you a little of what might be going on. It has certainly helped me re-evaluate my own autoimmune endocrine disease (low cortisol) related depression.

All About Depression: Causes

All the best getting your diagnosis sorted and please come back here anytime for support or further questions.