Restoring Cognitive Function

[TruthSeeker]

Thank you so much for writing in depth about the different memories functions.
I have TBI also and wonder at times if it is PTSd, accumulated stressors from previous days....etc.

My pain doc told me to play or do something i like so i doodled before leaving the clinic.

At the DBT doc the other day i cried and disociated mega after she had me ice (T.I.P section of distress tolerance module). I was so fogged out cognitively her words didnt make sense and i tried hard to follow. it was like as if i was behind a plastic curtain.
I felt really dumb.

@shatter eyes Mine told me I could bring popsicles to therapy.

 

[One step at a time]

Thanks to all for your responses, short and long. It makes a really big difference to know other people are asking these questions too.

 

[TruthSeeker]

While this response doesn't apply to everyone, I went to neurologist office a couple weeks ago. The lady from the Epilepsy Foundation
wanted to know if I'd be interested in any of their services. Services, what kind? I asked. She said that they were rolling out a memory course....8 weeks, and if I was interested, I'd be sent a book and I'd get an hour phone call 8 times to review the material, and talk about the memory issues I dealt with. The reason that they didn't meet as a group was because of the transportation issues. I was really pleased that they are finding a way to help....and dealing with transportation issues, too. I asked her if the Epilepsy Foundation worked with both diagnosed epileptics and individuals with psychogenic seizures, because there are memory impairments with both. She replied, yes but the issues between the two groups were different and that she'd work with them herself (because she personally understood the dynamics and feelings associated with that type of seizure). She also went on to report that statistics show that 20% of people diagnosed with epilepsy, will go on to have one or more psychogenic seizure in their life. That sounds like such a high percentage, but believable. I know that people with trauma/PTSD have a higher incident of seizures. I just thought that I'd pass that on in the event this applies to you and your memory and you are looking for resources (free) and accessible.

 

[shatter eyes]

For me i get confused because i have seen six neurologist in the last 4 years. Seems like they all have their own opines and still to this day i have no concrete understanding of what happens when i fog out.

Mutually all say trauma psychological stressors and TBI... was suspected for complex focal seizures from epilepsy..ruled out.. narcolepsy ruled out... epilepsy.. ruled out. I dont get much from seeing neuro anymore. Usually leave feeling i am a broken mystery.

Recently saw neuroPSych and he said my cog and memory issues is caused from TBI aquired adhd and sensory overload cuz i cant maintain attention to filter information like background noises..movements...light glare.. which to me is scatter brain... to him it is brain does not encode information because it does not focus long enough to send to processing for memory.

I take supplements to help and i noticed clean proteins do help. Sadly i often struggle with desire to eat so getting clean fuel for brain is not consistent.

I think my memory is buggy but neuropsych says memory centre of brain is fine... its accessing thats the problem. He said he will refer me to a free clinic at the rehab dept.

Also asked him about brain games and programs like BrainFX and CogMed..... his answer way they dont work. They show improvement in task specific testing not real life. I think Elevate and BrainHq helped me...but doc says it is time that heals not apps.

Godspeed to us all

 

[TruthSeeker]

TBI, trauma, and seizures (for some, not all) are interwoven....I believe. Triggers for epileptic seizures are the same as for nonepileptic seizures. So that all goes to lifestyle: eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, and work on state of mind by reducing stress, stay organized to ward off stress (from disorganization)-and for diagnosed epilepsy-take meds exactly as prescribed. I can only tell you this is basic advice I get from all doctors and mental health practitioners.....as each thing does impact the brain's chemistry and my ability to heal emotionally.

Time (date and time of day) and grounding are two things I work on each day. I put up 3 months of White board calendars that I got from Walmart with things I have to get done that day (appts, exercise class, art class, medical/dental/vision appts, etc.) is like my cornerstone for getting through each day. I have trouble making appointments on the computer or by phone and keeping up with them. I used to keep them in Outlook, and still forget....When I started the whiteboards, it was with the commitment to do them before bedtime, when I was winding down the day, and thinking about the next day. This white board method helps me to keep up with schedule changes, so I always update changes in the evening. I do have computer reminders for meds, exercise class-but those reminders aren't nearly as powerful as having a daily calendar routine at the same time each day-because I rarely miss something on the calendar.

At night, I look at my calendar, and I make a list on my phone in Notes of the things that have to get done the next day (which reduces worry about planning my next day and I get to sleep faster). In the morning, I wake up and look at the digital universal clock (above the whiteboards) to check time, date, and temperature inside and out-that helps with getting dressed and grounding me on time. All of this planning and follow-through reduces my stress load, increases my feeling of success in life, reduces self-criticism (because I'm not forgetting), and in turn......reduces the amount of fog I deal with-less stress for me= less dissociation. So, this is just my opinion, breaking the "my life is shit...I can't get grounded" can improve with the belief it will improve, action to make life more consistent, a real effort to stop doing the things that get my inner critic to beat me up, and break the "I am a failure" cycle. DO I get foggy now? Yes, but only over really big things that usually are a trigger from my past......not over the things I can control or my inner critic beating me up over my memory. My memory started improving when I changed my lifestyle, reduce my cognitive load (do one thing at a time to it's end) (forget multitasking-nothing gets done if I do that) scheduling so life is more predictable, and get rid of drama in my life (a huge step to improving memory), and decluttering-being more organized around the house. I dumped all my drama, as I equate drama to being a huge part of my memory issues....(I loop and dissociate) so I try real hard to live drama free in the real world, and walk away from gossipers, persons who don't walk their talk, people who are inconsistent, etc. so that my life stays as predictable and I stay as grounded as possible. I also don't watch news, drama, violent shows, or anything that irritates me. Good luck.

 

[shatter eyes]

TBI, trauma, and seizures (for some, not all) are interwoven....I believe. Triggers for epileptic seizures are the same as for nonepileptic seizures. So that all goes to lifestyle: eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, and work on state of mind by reducing stress, stay organized to ward off stress (from disorganization)-and for diagnosed epilepsy-take meds exactly as prescribed. I can only tell you this is basic advice I get from all doctors and mental healthactitioners.....as each thing does impact the brain's chemistry and my ability to heal emotionally.

Time (date and time of day) and grounding are two things I work on each day. I put up 3 months of White board calendars that I got from Walmart with things I have to get done that day (appts, exercise class, art class, medical/dental/vision appts, etc.) is like my cornerstone for getting through each day. I have trouble making appointments on the computer or by phone and keeping up with them. I used to keep them in Outlook, and still forget....When I started the whiteboards, it was with the commitment to do them before bedtime, when I was winding down the day, and thinking about the next day. This white board method helps me to keep up with schedule changes, so I always update changes in the evening. I do have computer reminders for meds, exercise class-but those reminders aren't nearly as powerful as having a daily calendar routine at the same time each day-because I rarely miss something on the calendar.

At night, I look at my calendar, and I make a list on my phone in Notes of the things that have to get done the next day (which reduces worry about planning my next day and I get to sleep faster). In the morning, I wake up and look at the digital universal clock (above the whiteboards) to check time, date, and temperature inside and out-that helps with getting dressed and grounding me on time. All of this planning and follow-through reduces my stress load, increases my feeling of success in life, reduces self-criticism (because I'm not forgetting), and in turn......reduces the amount of fog I deal with-less stress for me= less dissociation. So, this is just my opinion, breaking the "my life is shit...I can't get grounded" can improve with the belief it will improve, action to make life more consistent, a real effort to stop doing the things that get my inner critic to beat me up, and break the "I am a failure" cycle. DO I get foggy now? Yes, but only over really big things that usually are a trigger from my past......not over the things I can control or my inner critic beating me up over my memory. My memory started improving when I changed my lifestyle, reduce my cognitive load (do one thing at a time to it's end) (forget multitasking-nothing gets done if I do that) scheduling so life is more predictable, and get rid of drama in my life (a huge step to improving memory), and decluttering-being more organized around the house. I dumped all my drama, as I equate drama to being a huge part of my memory issues....(I loop and dissociate) so I try real hard to live drama free in the real world, and walk away from gossipers, persons who don't walk their talk, people who are inconsistent, etc. so that my life stays as predictable and I stay as grounded as possible. I also don't watch news, drama, violent shows, or anything that irritates me. Good luck.

Amazing thank you. I am curious as how did you learn so much about your symptoms and how to manage them? All that you wrote is very helpful and well explained.

I still try to multitask because when i focus on one task i lose focus and forget what needs to be done, when i multitask things seems more productive but rarely do things get finished.

Same with flaky people that cant walk their talk... really drains my brain juice too.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Amazing thank you. I am curious as how did you learn so much about your symptoms and how to manage them? All that you wrote is very helpful and well explained.

@shatter eyes I have always been fascinated with the brain, and how when traumatized, it has the capability to rewire and heal wounded parts. When I had my TBI many years ago, I was fortunate to be introduced to the concept of neuroplasticity by one of the best trauma physicians in the country. Understanding that the brain can make new connections, and develop new neural bundles, and new ways to communicate, was an eye opener-and I could apply this in my life how? Through learning new things....new learning=new neurons and new bundles. Also new learning comes with it a different feeling.....one that builds confidence and interest in life outside the bedroom. While learning to play an instrument for examples, is a highly specified skill, and does not translate to reading better. It does translate into math, and more importantly is connected to feeling. Art, and learning different ways to express art....the same thing-connects to feeling. I look forward to learning....I'm wired for learning....even though there are times in my life where reading comprehension has been in the pits....that's PTSD/traum interferring-not my intellect. I've learned not to look at it as I'm dumb, but instead-in this moment, I'm having difficulty accessing info. Photography for some is just taking a picture and being happy....but I strive to learn how to get the best picture for the situation. I am not happy just snapping. So my curiosity about life, how things work, and desire to understand is a real need....I guess it is a motivation.

I also have spent a lifetime teaching children with trauma, and seen so much ADHD misdiagnosis (which was really trauma based dissociation) and watching/helping them gave me insight into learning new ways to cope.....to help myself. I had to teach them how to organize daily, and now I use those similar techniques on me. In dealing with others with trauma has impacted my world view about trauma and the brain. I spent a lot of time reading, and talking to others with seizures, learning about the different seizure types-and the connectedness of epileptic seizures to trauma based seizures. I talked to folks at the the Epilepsy Foundation, and talked to others in the field of trauma-oh, and listening to a lot of books on tape about the brain while in the car, learning, retraining, memory, trauma types, PTSD/CPTSD, TBI and seizure disorders. There is an abundance of interesting information about music and memory-fascinating information. I have a real interest in how pliable the brain is, and I just came to my own conclusions based on what I've learned and experienced-and I am more self-aware as a result I think.

 

[shatter eyes]

@shatter eyes I have always been fascinated with the brain, and how when traumatized, it has the capability to rewire and heal wounded parts. When I had my TBI many years ago, I was fortunate to be introduced to the concept of neuroplasticity by one of the best trauma physicians in the country. Understanding that the brain can make new connections, and develop new neural bundles, and new ways to communicate, was an eye opener-and I could apply this in my life how? Through learning new things....new learning=new neurons and new bundles. Also new learning comes with it a different feeling.....one that builds confidence and interest in life outside the bedroom. While learning to play an instrument for examples, is a highly specified skill, and does not translate to reading better. It does translate into math, and more importantly is connected to feeling. Art, and learning different ways to express art....the same thing-connects to feeling. I look forward to learning....I'm wired for learning....even though there are times in my life where reading comprehension has been in the pits....that's PTSD/traum interferring-not my intellect. I've learned not to look at it as I'm dumb, but instead-in this moment, I'm having difficulty accessing info. Photography for some is just taking a picture and being happy....but I strive to learn how to get the best picture for the situation. I am not happy just snapping. So my curiosity about life, how things work, and desire to understand is a real need....I guess it is a motivation.

I also have spent a lifetime teaching children with trauma, and seen so much ADHD misdiagnosis (which was really trauma based dissociation) and watching/helping them gave me insight into learning new ways to cope.....to help myself. I had to teach them how to organize daily, and now I use those similar techniques on me. In dealing with others with trauma has impacted my world view about trauma and the brain. I spent a lot of time reading, and talking to others with seizures, learning about the different seizure types-and the connectedness of epileptic seizures to trauma based seizures. I talked to folks at the the Epilepsy Foundation, and talked to others in the field of trauma-oh, and listening to a lot of books on tape about the brain while in the car, learning, retraining, memory, trauma types, PTSD/CPTSD, TBI and seizure disorders. There is an abundance of interesting information about music and memory-fascinating information. I have a real interest in how pliable the brain is, and I just came to my own conclusions based on what I've learned and experienced-and I am more self-aware as a result I think.

Thank you so much. I think your share will help many explore ways to accept and heal. I like learning and have become more artsy after TBI and PTSd... i too when taking photo try to capture the energy taking the best shot that feels right to me. At times i lose my speech and also reading... then i have times where i can immerse myself into research articles or decipher poems/paintings. Trauma and surviving trauma has expanded my perspective of life. The automatic response to hide or go into fight mode both leads me to isolation and or disociation where i lose time. Was it a seizure? Was it me zoning out and body stressors manifest into physical hit by truck fatigue that feels similar to post seizure fog?
I am at the stage where i am learning not to see myself as dumb or stupid. Practice, retry, reset, rest, repeat. Soldier on...

I did neurofeedback, TMS, gong bath, and found it helpful. Most healing i have found that raises my cognitive function and outlook is being in nature (with no mosquitoes because they distract me from the ground, rocks, trees, grass, water, etc. I noticed some songs also wake up my brain.

Thanks for sharing

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thank you so much. I think your share will help many explore ways to accept and heal. I like learning and have become more artsy after TBI and PTSd... i too when taking photo try to capture the energy taking the best shot that feels right to me. At times i lose my speech and also reading... then i have times where i can immerse myself into research articles or decipher poems/paintings. Trauma and surviving trauma has expanded my perspective of life. The automatic response to hide or go into fight mode both leads me to isolation and or disociation where i lose time. Was it a seizure? Was it me zoning out and body stressors manifest into physical hit by truck fatigue that feels similar to post seizure fog?
I am at the stage where i am learning not to see myself as dumb or stupid. Practice, retry, reset, rest, repeat. Soldier on...

I did neurofeedback, TMS, gong bath, and found it helpful. Most healing i have found that raises my cognitive function and outlook is being in nature (with no mosquitoes because they distract me from the ground, rocks, trees, grass, water, etc. I noticed some songs also wake up my brain.

Thanks for sharing

@shattereyes When I was in flight mode (fight mode is not usually my way.....only when there are no other options), memories, emotions, language and time were not connected-a total loss of connection left me feeling like a loser. As I started to do more positive things, I believe the brain chemistry changed, and positive begets positive. Taking time to communicate inside quells stress, as does exercise, keeping blood sugar even, and planning for a positive week. While some have made fun of my need to plan, I think structure is important to live a balanced life. Thanks for sharing......it's nice to connect positively.

 

[shatter eyes]

@TruthSeeker thank you again.

What you said about emotions thoughts time body being disconnected is that disociating or is it something else?

I am starting to wonder if some of labels docs gave me are misdiagnosed. The reason is because i had a rehab specialist tell me my physical challenges are from arthritis but she refused to send me for imaging. My GP sent me and i did not have any arthritis. Recently my DBT psych has been confusing me and i feel misunderstood because i cant connect with her. When she talks it like a cartoon i am watching with very low volume. She says i disociate. Many other T and P docs have said they see me "glaze" over. I am not a donut but i assume it means spaced out?

 

[Teasel]

too when taking photo try to capture the energy taking the best shot that feels right to me.

Just to chip in that you are ever so good at this!

 

[TruthSeeker]

@shatter eyes Yeah, I call it being disconnected from my feelings and often my body. Not eating-no signals for hunger-not sleeping-body has a signal when it's time to sleep, feeling in a fog-disconnected from the real world, and that gazing thing you speak of....a classic place for me when I'm not feeling safe =dissociation. I use cold to ground, and I send myself the message that I'm safe....also getting more oxygen to the brain is helpful.....breathe in....slow out and I use hand movements (palms up for breathing in and palms down...much more slowly in breathing out, and I distract myself as well. Good luck there.