Abilify - Memory and Concentration

[righthere344]

I have had memory and concentration problems since last July/August when I took Abilify for one month.  I was also taking Klonopin at the time.  Before this I was taking Geodon 120 mg.
The memory was so bad that I did not understand anything after reading a page in a book.  The memory and concentration has become much better but still quite bad.  I believe this has a lot to do with decreasing my dose of Geodon over a few months to 10mg.
I have had an MRI scan and EEG which both came out negative.  I have also had a neuropsychological exam by a doctor in Columbia University Hospital in New York.  The neuropsychologist said that what I had were mainly concentration
What do you think that this may be, and how do I get it treated or better yet, cured?
Is there a memory specialist I can go to?  Are there any special tests I can get?

[Karen0829]

I am on abilify and I am having trouble concentrating, is this normal?  Should I contact my psych doctor?  Or do you think it will get better as time goes?  I have been on Abilify for about 3 weeks.

[tracy111111]

hi i suffer bad withdepresion and GAD so have realy bad moemory long and short term also bad consertration and focus but when i try to concertrate on something i get tence and burning in my head and just fustrated i also find this very hard to make decisions... im sire my tablets not working because when my old ones did all the above got better alot so my guess is chanage the meds to find the right ones..    tracy... let me know how u get on.. p.s have u had any bad negative reactions to any meds.?

[righthere344]

Thanks for the reply.  I was taking this medication last August and still have the memory and concentration problems as of now.  The problems have not gone away much, I would say only 50% better and it is still bad.

I went to an Emory psychiatrist but they have just put me on Seroquel as of yesterday. I have stopped taking that today and while I was on it I felt very numb and could not feel emotions and I was very drowsy.  

I would like to know if Depakote would be a good choice to help my memory problems because the Emory psychiatrist said it may help.

I am considering coming off my 10mg of Geodon because it has helped in the past but I also came off too fast.

Regards.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

These concentration and memory problems may be a side effect of the drugs that you are taking, since these drugs manipulate certain chemicals in the brain, which though they really help control your symptoms, they can cause unwanted side effects such as cognitive problems (memory, concentration, and even comprehension).

It is best to ask your doctor on how to maintain a good balance with the medications to have this side effect minimized or even totally avoided.

Regards.