I have lots of trouble communicating with people and reading bc of the sz. It wasn’t always like this, I used to be able to do things I can’t seem to do anymore. I have trouble following conversations. I have trouble reading. I have trouble understanding concepts. The list goes on.
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I just kept working on problems, studied physics for ages, before that i went back to university for economics and before that i stopped using all substances except cigarettes (stopped alcohol too)
Practice makes perfect as they say
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I used psychoactive substances for a long time before the onset of schizophrenia and for some time afterward, which is why my cognitive impairment is very noticeable: problems with concentration, memory, and reaction time. Now I only vape and don’t drink anything else, including alcohol. I try to work, and I get various jobs, but everything wears off quickly and there’s almost no change. I can say I’ve ruined my cognitive function, and now I’m really struggling. I read that a drug called Tazbentetol is in its final stages of testing for cognitive restoration; maybe it will help.
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I’ve been on powerful psychotropic meds for decades which contributed to my cognitive decline today.
I can write fairly well but in terms of communicating by speaking I’m at a loss.
My memory has declined as well.
Sometimes I feel as I’m progressing into dementia.
Dementia runs in my family
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I am very forgetful and I struggle to concentrate on things at times. Writing is much easier than speaking.
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I have great trouble with conversation, concentration and memory. I’m also very slow. I should not work with power tools or do hand labour cause my cognitive functioning is so slow. It makes me a danger to myself and others
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I really get you guys. I try to keep up with my hobbies but my motivation is awful and cognitively I’m just not where I used to be. Not by a long shot. My wife won’t let me drive the car anymore.
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I have memory issues in which it feels as if time does not advance at all and long term memories do not form properly. The other issue is really negatives, anhedonia and avolition mostly, pretty disabling symptoms overall. I have other issues too, but thankfully I am not too aware of them in my day to day life.
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Re cognition. RTSD is a better guide.
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@kali I’m sorry you deal with all that. I actually do to o. So I get it.
@firemonkey can you explain it in a few sentences?
A plain English explanation.
Simple Reaction Time and CognitionSimple reaction time (RT) is the speed it takes for your brain and body to respond to a single, predictable signal. For example, when a traffic light turns red and you press the brake, the time from seeing the light to moving your foot is your simple reaction time. In healthy adults, this typically averages between 200 and 300 milliseconds.This basic test reveals a lot about cognition — the mental processes of perceiving, processing, deciding, and acting. Even a “simple” reaction involves several steps: your senses detect the signal, nerves rush it to the brain, the brain identifies it, chooses a response, and sends commands to your muscles.
Delays anywhere in this chain reflect how efficiently your cognitive system is working.
Another important measure is RTSD (Reaction Time Standard Deviation). While average RT shows overall speed, RTSD measures the variability or spread in your reaction times across many trials. A low RTSD means consistent, reliable performance. A high RTSD indicates inconsistency — some responses are fast, others much slower. This variability often signals lapses in attention, fluctuating alertness, or reduced cognitive control.RTSD is especially useful because it can reveal problems that average speed alone misses.
Higher RTSD is linked to aging, fatigue, sleep deprivation, stress, ADHD, concussion recovery, and early neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or mild cognitive impairment.
It reflects the stability of your brain’s attention networks more sensitively than simple speed.Together, average reaction time and RTSD provide a practical window into cognitive health. Faster, more consistent responses usually indicate better attention, processing speed, and neural efficiency. Everyday activities like driving, sports, or avoiding accidents all depend on them. With practice through games, exercise, or focused training, many people can modestly improve both their speed and consistency.Understanding simple reaction time and RTSD helps us appreciate how quickly and reliably our minds turn sensory input into action.
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My antipsychotics slow my mind down. I have trouble with conversation because my thoughts come out too slowly. I’m also unable to do my music because my mind is not functioning that way with APs. That’s coming from a champion of a North American piano competition ( US and Canada). Seriously. I can’t do it anymore. My dr said it’s caused by my APs. But I need them so I take them. It’s just that I can’t think as sharply or quickly anymore. It’s very frustrating
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Cognition naturally declines as we get older. The downward slope being less steep in those with high intelligence. Professional IQ scores are always age adjusted.
As for cognitive weaknesses
Non verbal memory
Very poor visual memory
visual spatial(mental rotation)
Planning
Organising
@firemonkey thank you I understood that a little better
When I took the official IQ tests in school to qualify for the gifted program it clocked in at about 145… I didn’t notice cognitive decline at first… Plus I’ve also had ADHD for as long as I can remember so for me clouds the picture a bit
my cognition improved by taking these drugs:
low dose amisulpride
memantine
atomoxetine
lamotrigine
aripiprazole(main antipsychotic)
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What antipsychotics are you taking? From my observation, some meds are better than others in terms of cognitive impairment. A lot of my Chinese Sz friends are on Abilify and they seem to have decent cognitive abilities so that they are able to hold on a job such as school teachers. Also Olanzapine and latuda seemed good for cognition. A Sz friend of mine has been on Olazapine and she is able to work as an English techer to high school students. She works 8-10 hours a day. She only complained about memory loss for which she keeps writing notes.
I had ever tried Risperidol, Amisulpride and Olanzapine. I found Olanzapine suits me better. I take Vitamin D and B , fish oils, and lecithins daily to help with my brain function.
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