Neuropsychologist - the results

In my previous post I had been sent round the medial block a bit and ended up at a neuropsychologist. He'd asked me how I felt then did a bunch of cognitive tests, IQ tests covering a range of brain functions. Visual, verbal and kinaesthetic tests. short and medium term memory, abstract and associative memory. All very hard work, I had to lie down for half an hour outside the practice the first session. So am I still clever?

I scored an IQ of 125 which puts me in the 95th percentile, I think being in the top 5% of the population counts as clever. This makes me feel very smug. I can be in a coma for three days and still be clever, I must be awesome

Verbal testing was at 130, in the 98th percentile. Perceptive and working memory were similarly high.

Speed of processing was what let me down scoring only an average mark. Seems on the timed tests I was just normal. That's a bit disappointing, but I was never going to be a stand up comedian with a quick witted reply and I don't suppose I'll start reading The Sun any time soon.

So I have no problem learning things or working efficiently. I haven't had to go to bed in the middle of the day for many months now but I need to ensure I pace myself so I don't get fatigue. I need to quit while I'm ahead, if I think I'll get fatigue in half an hour there's not much point working for that half an hour as it'll be very poor quality work. I need to structure my days well with ordered todo lists. All of which I'd mostly worked out anyway but it's nice to have confirmation and reassurance.

[MrPBH]

Well done - I think having one's brain challenged, forcing it to try/extend other 'pathways', can only be good, in many (not all) cases.

[AnthonyMs]

Well done, you scored well on one measure of intelligence! You musn't have damaged those pathways!

[Hidden]

Wow that is so like my husband and the results of his tests - though his were carried out far too early - just 5 weeks after his accident when he was still in neuro rehab.

Do you have any frustrations with how you function now? That might help us? If there is anything we can help you with in return we will be happy to do so.

My hubby gets a little frustrated that he feels he is unable to explain things cohesively when he is put on the spot so having to talk as he thinks - this came naturally before the accident. this makes him shy away from social situations now. Again prior to his accident he was a first class networker. He is tired of friends knowing the old him struggling to recognise the new him.

Do you have any memory issues? He has some though if forced to think through the situation/subject carefully after a while he can recall - but he gets frustrated with the inability for immediate recall.

Finally he can undertake a task with the same intellect as before but if disturbed - his brain cant cope with trying to think of two things at once.

Any of these true for you? Do you have any mechanisms for coping with them?

We have a structure to our days too now - we have a weekly sheet showing each day am, pm and evening and what we intend to do at those times - including leisure time and rest time - but we don't beat ourselves up if we have to be a little flexible at times (well try not to).

I am really pleased to hear of your progress and what sounds like a really positive approach - I hope that you continue to improve.

Thank you for your post - it is always inspiring when we hear of similar symptoms and somebody else coping with them in a positive way.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

agree x

[Hidden]

> Do you have any frustrations with how you function now?

The head trauma has flatlined my emotions somewhat so I wouldn't say frustrated.. just disappointed.

> Do you have any memory issues?

Just now I can't remember where I put a book I bought, it's the sort of thing that happens to everyone but it's much more common and much more effort to work out the answer when it does happen.

I'm not quick at thinking on the spot as I say, I never was super fast but now I'm certainly slower and will tend to take an easy route out of a conversation when I'm having trouble thinking what I want to say if it makes it finish sooner.

> his brain cant cope with trying to think of two things at once

After the accident I couldn't multitask at all. Multitasking is just the ability to context switch quickly between different trains of thought. I'm mostly back up to normal for that but I still need to concentrate a bit more at crowded parties etc.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply - it is so like my hubby.

Just helps to know that he isn't the only one and that progress continues.

Thank you again and good luck

[Hidden]

sorry not,been on here a while,nor answered all my posts.been a bit down,but reading this and all its comments makes me mad.i did well in all part from cognetive processessing.but this test is shit.walk with me out a safe and quiet envioroment,into a shopping center,where there is noise and much movement,take me to supermarket and watch me trying to decide what to buy,sometimes buying everything or nothing because of desicion making process.be with me in the morning when getting ready for appointment,turning up late cos i misplaced glasses,turned flat upside down and found them on my head.lighter half hour search ,gone shop to buy new one was in my hand the whole time,calling out locksmith this morning cos walked out without my keys.these tests are an insult,and prove jack shit,to what we have to cope with,take me somewhere i been going 30 years and watch people say hello and me looking at them blankly,as i do not reconise them,cannot remember the lay of the land...give me the same test in the middle of a high street,which i have to cope with everyday(with movement visual disorders and sound disorders) i would score zero zero zero....the system is shit...with my nerve damage multi tasking is trying to hold a ciggy steady and trying to light it at the same time! no comments about giving up smoking please! at least i am honest.....and i feel with all of you and your loved ones ..i really do xxx