There are different mental illnesses and they affect cognition differently. Furthermore, not every person is affected in the same way. Some people with schizophrenia have more cognitive problems than others. Some people with depression or bipolar disorder have problems in one aspect of cognitive functioning but not another. It is important to understand that a mental illness affects each person somewhat differently. By understanding all the different ways mental illnesses can affect cognition, it is easier to understand how the person you know is affected.
People who have schizophrenia often experience problems in the following aspects of cognition:
▪ Ability to pay attention
▪ Ability to remember and recall information
▪ Ability to process information quickly
▪ Ability to respond to information quickly
▪ Ability to think critically, plan, organize and problem solve.
