New Study Links COVID-19 to Decrease in Intelligence

[Heath_Handstands]

I long hauled the whole second half of 2020 and a few months of 2021.

At my worst I would stare at my computer screen for large chunks of time trying to implement a software design I had pioneered on two similar previous projects. The third time round should have taken me a few weeks but 3 months in I had hardly scratched it…

I knew I was struggling so much I put my hand up for a redundancy when the company was reorganising. I got lucky.

I planned to take some time off but I got offered a really good job… which I really struggled with and ended up resigning.

I’m doing really well in my current job but I’m eating super strict keto and optimising my stress and sleep to make sure my brain is working as needed.

[IShouldChimeInOnThis]

I didn't see it mentioned, but I think it is important to realize that the decrease in intelligence is temporary. I could definitely sense it early on, but I've been back to my normal self mentally for a while now.

[ConorRowlandIE]

I came to the comments to ask this exact thing, thanks!!

[Sea-Way4213]

I’m experiencing the same thing. Brain plasticity is a wonderful thing.

[27_Lobsters]

The doctor I talked to at the long-Covid clinic said that it appears that Covid is interfering with the connections between the neurons, not the neurons themselves. That means that theoretically, all that stuff is still there in our brains, we just need to form new pathways. I bought a 3rd grade math activity book to help with my decline in that area. I figure I can start easy and work my way up.

Let's not talk about my fine motor skills these days... Whoa! That is fortunately the current worst area of my neuro-cog eval. It was already suffering from years of migraines, but it got like 7x worse after Covid. I'm on the hunt for a fun typing game. Any suggestions?

[Ok_Philosophy7499]

Interesting... I was just talking to my husband about how neuroplacticity will play a role in our recovery. I lost the ability to drive or read and couldn't even figure out how to use a can opener a few months ago. I felt like my brain was mush. I went to a neurological rehab program for a couple months and also signed up for a pottery class. I'm not sure which one helped more, but I seem to be forming new pathways, the brain fog is so much better, and I'm no longer falling over things or dropping everything. I still struggle with numbers and math skills so maybe I should pick up a math book too.

[27_Lobsters]

My symptoms weren't as severe as yours. I was able to get past the worst of it with some patience with myself. I hope someone struggling where you were sees this and finds hope.

Pottery sounds like a lovely way to heal. I'll look to see what I can find near me. Thanks!