Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Jinx,

Thanks for the complement on my ability to post lots of information. If I tried to tell you this same information verbally, I would get all mixed up and confused. I use the keyboard and computer screen to slow the way my brain processes information. With this slower mechanism, I can organize my thoughts.

I also use the computer screen as my immediate and short term memory. I am frequently rereading the prior sentence to get back on track with my thoughts. It is a skill I have developed over the past ten years by doing it over and over.

I can still hit mental road blocks that stop me in my tracks. When that happens, I have to just walk away.

I have been developing/learning work-arounds and other PCS coping skills for 40 years. I can function at very high levels if I can set the pace for the task. If someone else sets the pace, I will try to follow or keep up but soon crash. When I reach that point, I may withdraw completely or explode verbally.

If I could find work where I could set the pace and not have to put up with pressures from others, I could be very successful. As the occupational psychologist said at my SSDI disability hearing, those employment situations do not exist very frequently. My SSDI qualification was not based on my cognitive and memory deficits. It was based on my inability to work in normal work situations.

When I do take on a intense task, it can take me two to three times as long as expected. I need to take breaks when I hit these mental road blocks.

I would love to work with others who have suffered mTBI and such except it requires state licensing. I had to drop out of college where I was studying to get into dental school because of my inability to handle the stress loads.

I know I can get long winded. I break my posts up into short paragraphs to help people read them easier.

It may help if those who found something of interest would print out the post. Then they can read the post at a leisurely pace. I do this from time to time. I even cut and paste posts or articles into MSWord so I can break it into smaller bites.

Yes, the PCS brain can easily become overwhelmed with information. Learning how to handle and manipulate information is an important part of over-coming PCS.

If anybody has specific problems with processing information, Post your struggles and someone will have a way to work through that problem.

btw, After having to deal with many episodes of relapse into severe PCS, I have come to accept that some skills will recover but many will require learning new ways to do things.