Can years of social isolation and antidepressants ...

[hippiechild]

It certainly can simulate stupidity and make learning ridiculously difficult...

bad times, don't do it if you can avoid it

 

[Social_Monstrosity]

I can relate to this. Having graduated from HS last year and not going to school since, I feel dimwitted compared to others my age. Maybe my self esteem is just at an all-time low lately >_>

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

There is plenty of literature out there that supports the conclusion that social isolation can lead to stunted growth of cognitive processes. I don't know how important social interaction is though after neuronal growth and connections have plateaued.

Absolutely true. I could be a test subject if they wanted.
What I know is, almost complete isolation for 5 years now has really slowed my thinking process. I'm probably more intelligent (debatable), but cognitive ability is extremely low. (I just had to look that word up to be sure I knew what it meant)
I'm slower at thinking, I can't spell words I used to, I don't even try anymore to complete a thought when talking out loud.
I can still think perfectly fine. But getting thoughts out into the open is almost impossible. I'm not quick for a witty comeback, and I will think of it until 10 minutes later when I have something good. (and probably dwell on it for another 10)
It's sort of like, I can think of something good on my own. But when it comes time to remember, or write it down, or be in the moment, my brain losses focus on what it was and sort of shuts down. At that point almost any words, completely off subject could come out.

At this point, I have to really think about what to write next. It will take me a good 2-3 minutes to really figure out what to put next.
When going out in the world, I realize how very different things are. Cars are going by, people talking, you have to really watch all the time what's going on, and for me it's a slow process.
I almost got hit by a car just because I'm not used to being outside. My mind is slow at interpreting all of the things going on around me. At the same time, I'm doing nothing but paying attention. It's more like a frightened state of awareness, shelled up.

In the end, isolation is never good. Especially when paranoia sets in like it has with me. It's not that you're any dumber, it's just that our minds are lazy I think, and adapted to the comfort of the house.

 

[missjesss]

I discussed my "slow wittiness" with my therapist and she said its rubbish and the reason why ppl with s.a or panic disorder might be slow at responding to other ppl is bcoz when we are in flight or fight mode our amygdala takes over which is the part of the brain which is responsible for our anxiety and we are not able to think straight or concentrate so it's not that we are slow witted at all its the fact that we are in panic mode and thats what happens to anyone when they are faced with a dangerous situation so what we need to do is retrain our brains which is what the road to recovery is all about ;-)

 

[missjesss]

Do not isolate yourselves

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

I discussed my "slow wittiness" with my therapist and she said its rubbish and the reason why ppl with s.a or panic disorder might be slow at responding to other ppl is bcoz when we are in flight or fight mode our amygdala takes over which is the part of the brain which is responsible for our anxiety and we are not able to think straight or concentrate so it's not that we are slow witted at all its the fact that we are in panic mode and thats what happens to anyone when they are faced with a dangerous situation so what we need to do is retrain our brains which is what the road to recovery is all about ;-)

Well I guess that makes sense.
But even if I wasn't afraid, I still wouldn't have much to say. I'd just ask everyone if they'd like to be my friend

 

[Falkor]

@MissJess: But how can we get out of the Fight-mode
We should know that.. to overcome SA.
It sure must be effective to your concentration if you are in Fight-mode all the time (anxious,nervous,afraid....)
I wish we knew how...

and being isolated makes it even worse.. It will make you escape from the real society and you have to learn it all over again.. Socialize, interaction, Make friends, talk..

Tell me alll about it..

but i gotta keep trying.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

"It will make you escape from the real society"

Good riddance I say. I despise society for shunning me away. People never treated me well, why would I go back to that world.
Screw society, their rules, and their government. I don't like getting pushed around.
Society has blinded people into thinking good job=respect. If you don't have a job, you're worthless because you aren't feeding into the system.
Screw all that crap.