My son is complaining about a lack of concentration at school - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

mom2bpson · 09-10-2007, 09:11 PM

Does anyone have any experience with a lack of concentration, compared to before the BP dg, that they can share? My 19 year old recently dg son is experieincing a lack of an ability to concentrate at college and has dropped the more complex classes for the time being. He attributes the problem to his meds (depakote and abilify) but the pdoc attributes it to the bp and recovery process. My son had his first manic event july 20 resulting in an in patient 10 day hospital stay to evaluate and medicate. I do not know what to think, and figured I would go to all of you. Thanks for your wisdom. Mom

tsohl · 09-10-2007, 09:28 PM

Hi Mom,

I don't have an answer for you. It is difficult to say what is going on as your son is so new to the meds. Many of the meds used in the treatment for BP make it more difficult to concentrate, effect memory or ability to make calculations. My son is in a field that uses a lot of mathematics and he has noticed a big difference in his ability to make calculations. He can still do it at the same level as before; it just takes longer than prior to medication.

I don't believe your pdoc is right, if I understand correctly what he told you. I am under the impression that it is well-known and documented that some meds affect memory, ability to concentrate, etc. Topomax is nicknamed "dopamax" due to this effect. I am taking neurontin for my back issues and I have noticed a change in my thinking abilities.

I think you can find some information on the website of the National Institute of Mental Health ([url]www.nimh.org)[/url].

I do believe these symptoms will lessen as his body gets used to the meds. At one point my son was given provigil which is technically an anti-narcolepsy medication, but seems to work well on improving concentration, too.

How is your son doing otherwise??

xxTsohl

goody2shuz · 09-10-2007, 09:36 PM

Hi, Mom. Has your son been diagnosed with BP alone or does he have a comorbid diagnosis of ADD as well??? My 16 year old daughter is diagnosed with both and does have some concentration problems with the ADD but since her grades are good the pdoc feels that medicating her ADD may interfere with her overall stability which we just recently attained.

As far as my 18 year old who is in college and just diagnosed with ADD/mood disorder, she has complained of concentration problems more than anything. But they have again chosen to treat the mood problems with Lamictal and see how she does once at a therapeutic level and then if she still has concentration problems go on to treat the ADD with a Daytrana patch. She too gets great grades and is able to keep up with the work so we are holding off on the stimulant meds since that could induce mania.

Also....some kids do experience cognitive dulling with some of the meds. I believe Tsohl's son experienced this and was either put on Provigil or Articept to help out with that while studying for his GRE's. I am sure that she will pop in here to help you out further if she hasn't already done so.

YOur son has been through alot just having been recently diagnosed. It is good that he is taking some of the load off of himself. The meds do take a while to stabilize the BP and it takes sometimes up to a year or two to find the right combo. And...it takes the body a few months to get use to the meds as well.

I hope that he continues to do well....I am in the same boat worrying about my older daughter being away and just having started meds a few weeks ago. I spoke with her roommate who has BP who promises to keep an eye on her and call me if there is a problem.

Hang in there and keep on coming here if you need some encouragement and support.

Love ~ Goody

Lor60 · 09-10-2007, 09:52 PM

Hi Mom,

My 13 year old son is complaining of the same thing as well as problems with his memory. He has been on a low dose of abilify for almost a year and has been on a therapeutic dose of lamictal since late spring. Our pdoc suspects a comorbid ADD but I am not so sure.

mom2bpson · 09-10-2007, 09:53 PM

My son has not been dg ADD and did not have any real concentration problems before his manic event in July. He is doing well on all scores, but does complain about this concentration issue and has put on a few pounds, which also bothers him. We are still trying to connect with a pdoc at his college town, and his local pdoc is helping us on that score. My son also met with the dean of students today at his college to open the lines of communication in case he needs to drop a class or other academic assistance due to his bp. She called me and was very supportive. I have been reading many books and web sites on this and have found conflicting positions. The pdoc has advised about the possible side effects of all the meds and cautioned that time is what this will take, but of course my son wants to feel like he did before July and he wants that now. The pdoc has not really attributed the lack of concentration to the meds as much as the bp and recovery from the manic event and stabilizing. Thanks for the help fellow moms. Mom