Will I ever get my smarts back?

Without sounding like I am blowing my own horn...

I used to be smart. I am quiet, not particularly good looking, I don't excel in sports or have any interesting hobbies. Being smart was my thing.

But since having children I have become a fog-headed dummy. Simple maths that in the past would have come instantly now requires me to think the question over and over and deliberate over the answer - I have been reduced to using my fingers on occasion!

I took uni courses in quantum mechanics and now I need spell check just to write it.

So is it because I haven't had a full nights sleep in 2.5 years? Or is it a case of 'use it or lose it' and I have just simply lost it? Do you think if I actually ever got some sleep I would regain some clarity or that being a SAHM with zero mental stimulation has zapped my clever?

Hmm, well I would say that given how well you articulated your thoughts just there, and how beautiful your spelling and grammar were, that you still have plenty of 'smarts' up your sleeve. :D
Perhaps you are just so overcome by the happiness that is motherhood, that you are currently tuned in to the more simple, important things in life! :)

Hi there
I'm going through a similar thing at the moment and have just enrolled in some study.
I'm not a SAHM, I work 3 days a week, but I have been doing this job for almost 5 years now, know it inside out and don't really have to think about it, so I need something to keep my mind going.
I think it's a mixture of both the sleep deprevation and also a little "use it or lose it".
Is there a way you can do a little further study to get your mind ticking over?
Sorry I can't be of much more help but I can definitely relate!

Arte - I'm sure that if you found yourself in a stimulating environment free from child-generated distractions, you would reconnect with your intellect in an instance. (Am wishing same for myself, anyway). :)

In the meantime, it might be worth having a check up with your GP - anaemia can cause mental fogginess, as can insulin resistance and I'm sure other deficiencies or dietary imbalances could too. If it's something as simple as swallowing down some fish oil or iron tabs - worth investigating IMO.

Thanks for the replies. I am going to do a uni paper next semester to try to kick start some mental alertness

MD, I was planning on going to the Dr soon about my incredible lack of energy and both iron and diabetes are the top of my list of suspects so you could be on to something there.

Arte my sister was having confusion spells and it was getting so bad, headaches etc she went to the drs scared they were going to say she had a brain tumour...turns out she was anaemic (LMAO at her Dr google episode) but the symptoms were that bad, it was really affecting her functioning. She was veggo for a few years & obv didn't keep an eye on the iron.

ETA you can take fish oil too - the long chain fatty acids can't hurt with the cognitive functioning & good for your health otherwise too.