been having trouble with thought processing, writing, and memory problems Should I be neuro screened?

Originally, I thought that all my cognitive problems were related to the lexapro.   Now that a few weeks of college have gone by, I am noticing the problem even more since I am having trouble with thinking, writing/speaking, thought processing.  After only a few weeks of being completely off of it, it seemed that my mental ability was improved and I was mentally getting back to reality  I felt relieved when I thought that the medicine was definetly causing all these cognitive problems, but now the same emptyness has once again returned.  .  Obviously, that was misleading as I am now 4 weeks away from that drug and that only lasted for a week. It seems that wherever I go, it takes me forever to complete a task or understand what someone else is telling me. This is negatively effecting me in the classroom, which makes me even more lost & frustrated cause everything is now a struggle for me.  While trying to come up with a thought to speak about, I instantly lose that thought and it completely escapes me . Its bothersome cause I cant tell whether or not the lexapro causes permanent damage or there is some other unknown cause that hasn't been determined. any advice?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Three possibilities are there.Firstly,it can be a side effect of lexapro,an antidepressant of SSRI type.Some people may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality), whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs.
http://www.****.***

Secondly,it can be due to learning disability.It may cause auditory or visual deficit,problems with memory, oral/verbal expressive language, reasoning or processing
or organization.

Thirdly it can be due to multiple sclerosis,an autoimmune disease effecting nervous system.

I feel that you need an evaluation from both,a neurologist and a psychiatrist to make a confirmatory diagnosis.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doing.

[JaySuper666]

Thank you for your response.  I guess there is a possibility that this can stem from a learning disability.  However, I had add/adhd for all my life, and I never had these cognitive problems that I developed within the last few months.  Like I said, there was around a week period when I thought that I was no longer in the Lexapro induced fog state, but now I believe that there is some recent disorder that I must've developed thats undiagnosed.  I have been seeing a psychiatrist for a long time, and he takes me lightly any time I mention it and tells me that he believes its all anxiety related.   Seems like he is looking at it from the point of a mental disorder rather than a real neurological problem that might be apparent.  

[Spacecowboyy]

Hello,

I've noticed I've had the exact same problem as you. It almost feels as though my mind is being "numbed" and my thoughts are being "short-circuited" so to speak, when on lexapro. When I get off of it it goes away but goes flying in the other direction. I start to think too much and maybe connect thoughts that shouldn't be connect it, which makes me anxiety return. Was wondering what you've found out since you posted this 4 years ago? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.