Cognitive Imparement

I have always had cognitive imparements in the areas of processing speed, multitasking, long term memory and processing instructions. I have a capital L attached to the centre of my head.
Is this common for people with bipolar to have such conditions?

y'know.. I've wondered that, too.. and for a LONG time before I was diagnosed.. I even got checked out for a varietyof dementias. Mainly MY prob, tho', is with instructions and THAT seems to be a short-term memory thing
BUT as for general applicabitly.. can't really offer much except to say damn, it kinda sucks. I think that all of us "present" different "symtoms"to varied degrees nearly all the time. I'd be very surprised to find another bipolar who noted the same stuff I do .. more likely, commonalities are going to be pharmacological.

I do have some cognitive impairments in long term memory, short term memory, processing verbal instruction and following linear progression but I have no problems with multitasking or a definitive drop in my processing speed as compared to my peers. These impairments have been worsening as I grow older. (I'm 45.) However the medications I am on do not seem to have a marked effect on any of them with the exception of the processing speed. When taking Pristiq my processing speed was markedly impaired. Enough so that I stopped using it.
As for the L on your forehead, I think you should give your fingers a break. Sure you have challenges but you are no loser. You are a fighter and BP is a heavy weight. Just the fact that you stay in the ring means a lot.

This has been one of the most upsetting issues in my life. (cognitive impairment).

I can follow simple, linear progression of a very basic idea or concept.

However, when the idea or concept begins to get more intricate, complex, and layered, my brain seems to freeze, shut down, panic, and I lose the entire thing.

I can't tell you the frustration, self-loathing, and sadness this has caused in my life. My thoughts race in all directions, and my thought life is disorganized and upsetting. I used to love to read and would devour books -- in the last 3 years I have not been able to finish a book. I can start and read a chapter or two, then I become confused and frustrated to the point of tears.

I have done cognitive therapy over the years with some good results. However, these last few years have been awful and nothing seems to help.

I've almost given up hope of this ever improving.

CTrout - I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Bipolar can cause brain damage, particularly if untreated. The good news is that mood stabilizers (lithium and depakote have been tested) regenerate areas of the brain damaged by bipolar.

yorkielove does have it right.

I haven't noticed any cognitive impairment. I just sometimes have problems focusing and forgetting simple things. I also got lost in a Target right before I got diagnosed. I literally went in there to buy one or two things and I spent 45 minutes running back and forth because I couldn't remember what I was doing. Looking back I wonder if it was confusion or if my body wanted a shopping binge but lacked the means to do it.

However, over the past 3 weeks everything has been better. My concentration is back. Which is good.