anti-depressants and memory loss

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
anti-depressants and memory loss
3
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 11:19pm
I have been taking anti-depressants for several years now.I have been on Welbutrin for over 2 years and have felt very even in mood for the most part. I have noticed, however, that my memory is just awful.It keeps getting worse. I am only 32 years old. I do have a 5 year old and some people joke that it's just something that happens after you have kids but it's really bothering me. I used to be so sharp and could remember in such detail. Now I can barely remember a person's name 2 seconds after they say it. Could this be from the medications? When I was on Zoloft it caused a speech stutter and when I stopped taking the med. it ceased. I am starting to think that since the meds. obviously have an effect on one's brain chemicals that maybe memory is effected as well. I am leary about stopping the meds. I have fought depression my entire life and have accepted that I shouldn't put up such a fight about treating it and having to take something for it. Any thoughts on this???....Hopefully, I will remember to check back on the board! ( I am not kidding. I have posted on other boards before and forgotten to see what anyone wrote)

Hope

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2004
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 6:49am

((((Hope)))) What was your post about? (just kidding)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2006
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 10:41pm
I was wondering also if there was a connection between anti-depressants and memory loss. I am not currently on anti-depressants but I was twice in the past- stopped them early 2002. I used to have a good memory but not anymore.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 8:02pm
It's possible. I've been on Effexor XR (75 mg) for about two and a half months. When I first went on the Effexor, I felt mentally foggy for about three weeks. Then my memory returned to normal. I hope I don't have problems again. In fact, on my last visit, my psychiatrist asked me if I'd had memory problems, and I told him what I just told you.

So it's possible, but as some other posters said, maybe there's another cause.

Good luck. I hope your memory improves.