Cognitive Dysfunction


They were all staring at me, every last one of them. My coworkers and I sat around on the table at the meeting, and they were waiting for me to speak. And I was waiting for the words to be filtered down from my brain. But they never came. It was like I had been wiped clean, a blank slate. I knew the information was there, somewhere, why wasn’t it where I needed it to be? I searched my brain again. Nothing. The only thought that eventually came was

‘Isn’t this what nightmares are made of?

 

Approximately half of all people who have MS will have cognitive dysfunction, or possibly more, if it goes unreported. Cognitive dysfunction is felt differently by each individual, what one person finds as a mild impairment, might render another unable to work. Cognitive issues can include trouble with memory and recall, attention, concentration, information processing and word recall among others as well. It is often listed as a “mild” to “moderate” impairment, however it doesn’t feel that way. Lets look closer at some of these specifics.

Short Term Memory and Recall

This is one of the most frequently reported cognitive issues in the MS community. Issues with short term memory often looks like walking into a room and forgetting why you went in there in the first place. Not remembering if you took your morning pills or not (one I struggle with often). Some times you may even repeat stories, or sentences, thinking you haven’t mentioned it, but in reality, you told it several times (another personal struggle).

Recall of information can also be inhibited. There have been several studies that have suggested that individuals with MS are capable of learning and storing of information just fine but have trouble recalling the information when needed (like duh). However, one article I read gave another answer to this issue. This article states that individuals with MS need a longer time to learn the new information from the start. When given adequate time to learn the information, recall of the information is the same as individuals without MS. This suggests that the issue lies in learning, not recall. Perhaps instead of memory and recall being our number one cognitive issue, it is really attention and processing! A new area of study, for sure!

Attention and Concentration

As I noted above, attention is something that people with MS struggle with greatly, probably more than we think as well. Staying on task can be difficult at times for non-MSers, but for us, it is a struggle all the time for sure. Staying on task at work, during conversations or while trying to follow directions (cooking anyone?) can be tough. Add in background noise or multiple conversations going on at once, and forget about it! And multi-tasking? Yikes! That is something of days gone by. I used be able to carry on a conversation while I “mindlessly” did another task. Not anymore.

Slower Speed of Information Processing

This includes all of the symptoms I listed above, but it also means that our brains struggle to take in and prioritize the information that we are receiving. This can show up as issues with processing spoken language, sensory and spatial information or abstract ideas such as social cues. In one study I read about, individuals with MS were able to preform well on cognitive tests, they just did so at much slower speeds as compared to their non-MS peers.

Verbal Fluency- Word Recall

Verbal fluency, or otherwise called issues with word recall, in my opinion, are one of the most frustrating cognitive symptoms. This is defined as the “tip-of-your-tongue” phenomenon. When the word you’re trying to think of is in your vocabulary, but it has escaped you for a moment. It can happen at a moments notice and can bring a sentence to a dead halt. You can even be looking at the object you’re trying to say the name of! And still nothing.

Why does Cognitive Dysfunction Happen?

Cognitive issues are generally caused by damage in the brain. Studies have shown that lesions in the cerebral hemisphere and damage within the gray matter are most significant when measuring cognitive dysfunction. It also seems that cognitive dysfunction is more prevalent in primary progressive MS then relapsing remitting MS, however anyone at any time in their disease can experience cognitive symptoms. Cognitive symptoms can also be temporarily made worse during other times such as during a pseudo-exacerbation, when in the heat, when fatigued or during a depressive state.

Ways to Manage Cognitive Dysfunction

There are many ways to manage cognitive problems. First and foremost, give yourself some grace and compassion. Dealing with MS in general is not easy, then beating yourself up about forgetting something at the store, or forgetting a task around the house, is not going to help. Symptoms thrive on stress, so making sure we are being as kind to ourselves as possible is important.

Second, (I give this advice often) start to be aware of yourself and your symptoms. Learn what specifically makes your cognitive issues better or worse. Maybe working with music on once was doable, but now not so much? Or you were once an auditory learner, but now you need more support? Really take some time and figure it out for yourself, it’s worth it.

Third, there are ways to “exercise your brain” and improve your cognitive abilities and these include memory and attention games. There are also other things you can do including improving organizational systems, alarms, planning and taking the time to really learn subjects. Doing the most demanding tasks when you are most awake is also a good idea.

My Experience

I’ve struggled with cognitive issues for many years. Although I would categorize them as “mild”, I still think they have a rather large impact on my life, and my quality of life. The main things I struggle with are memory, recall and word recall. One of my biggest strategies to help myself are lists, I have lists everywhere! At this point, I need to write everything down. If I don’t write it down, it will be gone forever. I’ve found this is frustrating for others a lot of the time too. Someone will tell me something or ask me to do something, and literally 30 seconds later it has evaporated from my brain. Which leaves me feeling terrible! But I know that I can’t take that on. All I can do is apologize and try better next time. Word recall is another symptom that I struggle with on a daily basis. I can be looking at the kitchen table, but for the life of me can’t remember the word table! Frustrating to say the least. But I know that the more I work on my difficulties, the better they’ll get. I think of it as Physical Therapy for my brain.

 

I scanned the room, looking from face to face, none of them sympathetic, until I looked at my boss. She knew my story, she could tell what happened, she was sympathetic. My eyes must have conveyed sheer panic, she seamlessly picked up where I left off, and picked me up where I had fallen.

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself 
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are. 

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
...

20 5
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
...

26 4
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. 
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: 

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

13 0
Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
...

31 3
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ 

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

33 15
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!
...

32 2
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
...

22 0
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
...

38 2
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

16 1
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
...

32 9
Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶 

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?
...

60 8

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