Cognitive Rehabilitation for smart people :)

[SeemaMH]

Have you found anywhere that offers cognitive rehab for your issues?

I have suffered cognitive loss for a long time, but because I'm highly functioning I was always dismissed. My first blow came after a massive brain tumor at 19. I did not recieve any therapy, but I know I lost a lot. I taught myself to learn again and had a successful career. Fast forward, more than 20 years - I have had several bleeds in my brain, second brain surgery and a concussion. I finally received cognitive testing which showed an original very high IQ. Now test normal, but you and I know how much has been lost despite our outward appearance. I'm desperate for targeted rehabilitation. Love your thoughts and thanks for your work!

[frassergrantt]

I can only think that brain games/tests might re-boot your brain assuming it is not completely damaged and beyond repair. I am a qualified lawyer on paper but it s worthless now as my brain is not fit for such activity and memory up the river.

[swedishblue]

We need to redefine what "smart" is after a brain injury. Have watched this TED talk earlier and I think it might be useful/relevant to your quest; youtube.com/watch?v=08HkZgT...(Not working as expected?)

[sospan]

I had a high IQ before my injury and had so many academic and business qualifications and with 35 years of industry experience, very high paid work was plentiful.

Now post injury numeracy and literacy is a problem, coupled with memory, fatigue and mobility problems, the world is a different place.

Rehab for me was non existent, so was seeing any medical professional whom could offer any treatment. So I have muddled along by myself for the last 6 years.

As someone on this forum pointed out a few years ago. If you compare your brain to an engine, and if that engine was tractor engine and was not running right it could still probably plod along doing its job without too much of a problem. Now if high performance sports car engine wasn't running right, it may be able to take you to the shops but nothing near its full potential

[blackperil in reply to sospan]

I am in the same position. To some degree I have adapted with new strategies. The other suggestions I have had are brain training games and just accept it.

[sospan in reply to blackperil]

One of the most infuriating responses was from my GP, when I mentioned that I was having problems with numeracy, his response was "a lot of people have problems doing sums!"

Having a masters degree in computing and maths and having actually worked for an Astro Physics and rocket propulsion company - I nearly demonstrated my other problems with mood swings .................

A huge gulf between what I could do previously and now working out coins to pay in a shop

[SeemaMH in reply to sospan]

I agree. I despise that response. Maybe people say it to normalize with the intent to make us feel better, but as you know it actually dismisses our real concern and is incredibly frustrating . Let's keep looking for ways to improve our brain.

[fredikins]

I write the answers to crosswords in backwards, this has become a habit and is surprising how quick I have become, writing in the usual way is now considered cheating, even a 3 letter word! this I feel has kept my brain in reasonably good fettle, my memory is the best of any one I know, but I would gladly swap some memory for mobility.

[SillyPhil]

Your Post made me smile. I'm afraid that cognitive rehabilitation is the same even for people who reckon that they are 'smart'. But I too get dismissed as I can hold a decent conversation and appear ok. It certainly can be a hidden disability. Good luck.