You got 100% on every math test in school? You don't remember a single mistake in solving an equation before age 38? That's either an excellent example of good math skills or poor memory skills. I can't think of anything I've done so perfectly, no matter how I'd narrow it down to my strong points.
Fairly close. I did say that it was a case of solving equations. There are other aspects to a maths exam that are challenging. Arithmetic for example. In my university exam on matrices, the check did not work. I had finished the exam with 45 mins to spare and came back to the question. It took me a long time to realize that I had multiplied -2 and -2 to get get +2.
Another reason I did not get 100% (but often close) was that I did not attend lectures, was disruptive in school classes, and did not do homework. I memorized the textbook theory the night before in a way I understood it. Having not done any examples, there were some "tricks" I had not learned. All I cared about was getting a passing grade. Excelling meant nothing to me.
A side note. At about 24 I tried smoking some pot. About 5 times or so. For days afterward, I had trouble solving equations because I made "silly" mistakes.
It is a two-edged sword. There are disadvantages - many would not choose to live my life.
Just ignore if this seems too personal, but I'm curious how old you are, because i get a sense you're younger than me or not much older. I'm 56, plus just restarted daily morphine and, up until January, had 20+ untreated tumors in my brain. And I haven't noticed any particular cognitive decline. Still have a lousy memory for where the car keys are and a good memory for where I read that historical citation last week. My wife and doctors haven't noticed any change either, and they're on the lookout.
Do you think your decline is due to natural aging, or did you have an injury or disease? Again, don't mean to pry, just ignore if it's too personal. But I'm curious why or if you feel such a steep decline is normal and at what age it occurs.
No problem with personal. I will be 68 in a few months.
In my late thirties my then wife complained that I was passive aggressive and manic-depressive. This was not so, although I did have the occasional anxiety attack. I was not happy in the marriage but wanted to make it work. I went to a psychiatrist and asked for medication. I did not need therapy. He agreed to experiment.
He gave me lithium. I stopped after a week because of side effects. One effect was a "popping" sensation in my brain. Sparkles, and a weird sense of "tripping". I cannot be sure but I think the way lithium works is to degrade the brain functioning.
Alternatively it may be simple aging decline. When I got tested and mentioned my concerns they said that I functioned at such a high level that unless they had previous tests of mine they could not give an opinion.
At 50 years I nevertheless excelled at an IQ test of sorts.
In November 2010 I got systemic histoplasmosis and had it for about 10 months before treatment. The fungus attacks all organs including the nervous system. It caused a lot of problems, one being central nervous sleep apnea.
The lack of oxygen at night had a very bad effect. I have now re-progammed myself not to stop breathing, but cannot reverse the degradation. Mainly short-term memory (keys, places, people) and dyslexia when typing. My analytic function and cognition still seems okay, but I struggle to focus..
The rate of decline from 38 to about 60 was steady but not too fast. It was nevertheless a concern for me. Now it has accelerated and I wonder how long before it affects my life.
One advantage is that I see life from a more normal? average? perspective. Earlier in my life I could not understand people talking about their perceptions of life when mine did not match theirs.
There are trade-offs I feel. The brain adapts and I have acquired more social skills.
I am sorry to hear about your brain issues. Certainly you do well on this site, and are well-reasoned. I wish you well.
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