Yes, I take lithium, and the mandatory reduction of lithium has caused a total interuption of my life, esp cognitive. I thought it was primarily mood stabilizing and after almost twenty years on it, a was totally caught off guard about it's usefulness to cognitive function.
Lithium is a salt and the second element in the periodic table. It is not a heavy hitter as most believe. It is a salt and as such, effects the electrolyte system. Simple.
I also currently take lamictal and serouquel, both indicated for bipolar and help restore some of these difficulties.
My ailment is a chemical imbalance (not a catch phrase).
"She has speech problems, auditory memory problems, motor control problems, sensory problems, and impulse control problems"
Me too, it is all left brain related (cognitive) not right brain stuff (emotion). In trying to make the adjustments to ceasing the lithium, I have all theses problems and she probably has problems with sequencing things, organization, all things communicative, all kinds of memory problems, loss of direction...
http://www.funderstanding.com/right_left_brain.cfm
Right Brain vs. Left Brain
Definition
This theory of the structure and functions of the mind suggests that the two different sides of the brain control two different "modes" of thinking. It also suggests that each of us prefers one mode over the other.
Discussion
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides, or hemispheres, of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:
Left Brain
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts
Right Brain
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective
Looks at wholes
This tells the story for me. again. simple.
Your daughter has a permanent brain injury (?). If so, her situation is much different than mine. My situation has room for manipulation.
If she is left brain impaired, it would be to her advantage to focus on things right brained and she will do well, I'm sure you are way ahead of me on this.
Like soccer mom's daughter, I have recently begun painting, and I love it. Very right brained.
Thanks to you both for the interest. Brain disorders of any kind are totally misunderstood. Can't see it, doesn't exist. Kinda like one year olds!!
ps, I have been assessed to have severe brain desease (not disorder) but I have bipolar disorder. go figure.
Best to both of you and yours...
Maryann
Very interesting. In your description, I would say my daughter is very left brain.
She is very good at math and very organized. When she writes, it is very organized (beginning, middle, end). She's not very flowery in her descriptions. Very straight forward, matter of fact.
She is not artistic. She doesn't get emotions well. She's either very on or very off. There is no in between.
I already have her pegged to be an accountant. She can handle tedious work. It's math oriented, and she doesn't have to talk a lot.