I'd like to learn more about how the brain functions. Any suggestions - starting places. The deep research - where I've tried to start is too much for my injured brain.

For example why can I do something one minute and not the next.

For example I sat down this morning and typed out a letter fairly quickly and easily to a doctor. Printed it and then sat down to fill out some forms for another doctor and just could not do it. I just could not put the words on paper. How can I think clearly one minute and stare blankly at a form to fill out the next - literally could not fill it out. Everytime my husband even moved I'd lose it.

Was it the difference between typing and writing? Those are some things I'd like to research and explore - I like learning about those types of things. I have a PHD in education and a severely dyslexic but profoundly gifted son so I've always had an interest in those types of brain differences / abilities.

Any suggestions?

The various issues are quite broad. It might be easier to just ask questions in this thread. Over time, you will start to notice similar issues in different situations. I have experience with this specific issue. Let me explain.

The two tasks you tried to do are quite different.

When you type a letter, you are working on a blank page with only what you have already typed on the screen. This is a relatively ordered sense of information that is easy or easier to visually process.

When you try to fill out a form, your brain sees a page full of questions. Every field needs an answer and your brain thinks it needs to answer them all at once. Your injured brain struggles to filter out the empty fields even though you are not focused on those fields. This filtering failure is the problem.

A way to test this is to use blank pieces of paper to cover the areas you are not working on. As a teacher, you may have learned about this blocking or shielding technique that is used in some special ed situations.

The most common problem with PCS is this issue of filtering stimulation. A healthy brain spends a great amount of subconscious processing power filtering out extraneous or distracting stimuli. When this processing power is not available, the excess stimulation overwhelms the conscious needs.

This triggers a fight, flight, or freeze response. When you husband adds a tiny bit of stimulation, it pushes you over the edge.

From what I have observed, the sensory processing issue has some similarities to some in the autism spectrum.

I struggle with this over-stimulation and have for almost 20 years. I also have a problem with the opposite. Lack of stimulation is a struggle and can trigger a reaction. I need to find the proper level of stimulation so my brain can be settled.

I used to be able to produce reams of documents in MS Word. MS Word for Windows to MS Word 6/2003 was easy for me to use. Then, Microsoft changed the GUI (graphical user interface) to the Office 2007 Ribbons format. When I have to use MS Word 2007, I freeze. There is too much visual stimulation to process.

When people use emojis or colored text or other 'in your face' formatting, I have the same freeze struggle.

Some of us believe this concept of excessive stimulation is a part of the rise in ADHD in the classroom. Back in the days of 'all desks facing forward in the classroom,' teachers did not have near the amount of visual stimulation at the front of the classroom. There was a big green (sometimes black) chalk board with some pull down maps, charts and such. Green is soothing to the eyes and mind. Black is second best.

Now, classrooms are often a plethora of visual stimulation. White boards that reflect a full spectrum of light. Some stimulation has educational focus. Some just a personal or seasonal expression of the teacher. With less visual stimulation, many are better able to focus. My daughter was one of these students who struggled with the excessive visual stimulation.

There are a lot of special ed concepts that cross over into PCS.

What was the focus of your graduate work?

Graduate work was in Early Childhood education - preschool and kindergarten to be specific - but some coursework was more general - like statistics -

I did ask for a piece of paper during the neuropsych exam. and I used my fingers to keep track of things - I do that in SLP as well.


Anger issues are also becoming more explosive in my opinion - I have a psych appointment today so will discuss with him.

It sounds like you may be a multi-sensory learner. I think this can be problematic with PCS for some.

What is SLP? Is that Speech Therapy.

The anger issues are common. I can get loud. It helps to learn the early signs of over-stimulation so you can remove yourself from the environment.

Yes, SLP is Speech and Language Pathology Therapy.