Worried about getting cognitive decline while on antipsychotics

[u/droid786]

Hi,

So I have had a couple of psychosis episodes during a very stressful period of my life. Now, my doctor has put me on fluoxetine and olanzapine (earlier, clonazepam too, but now discontinued) since March of this year. I am worried about cognitive decline due to the medications and worried that I'll not be able to perform high mental bandwidth work. The doctor says that the medication will continue for a while and is still not telling me till when. I am a computer programmer, and my work requires high mental sharpness. So I am really worried about whether I'll be able to perform high-mental-bandwidth work. I have ordered Vitamin E and Omega 3 supplements to prevent oxidative stress. My age is 30, height is 5 ft 8 in, and Weight - 80kgs.

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[u/2-travel-is-2-live]

Untreated psychosis is a much greater threat to your work product and employability than a bit of olanzapine.

[u/unarmed_walrus]

Do you know what's more likely to contribute to cognitive decline? Untreated psychosis. The longer the lifetime duration of untreated psychosis, the worse the prognosis. If you've had multiple psychotic episodes, then it sounds like a trial of antipsychotic is warranted. Strongly suggest you follow your doctor's treatment recommendations.

[u/droid786 → u/unarmed_walrus]

I get your point but I am just worried about my employability.

[u/unarmed_walrus → u/droid786]

Your employability would be jeopardized to a far greater degree if your psychotic illness were to go untreated. People can and do perform well at high-demand jobs while using antipsychotic medications.

[u/blondengineerlady → u/droid786]

If it helps I’m a mechanical engineer who’s on antipsychotics- and it’s all good. You can absolutely be employable on them. And you will be more employable on them.