Recognising Functional Cognition Overwhelm in Capable Clients
So, we've talked about what functional cognition is, the behaviours we might observe, and the things our clients might say that hint at underlying challenges. Now, I wanted to touch on something that can be a bit trickier: recognising these struggles in clients who, on the surface, seem to be doing okay.
You know those clients – they're articulate, they engage well in therapy, they might even hold down demanding jobs. But sometimes, despite all that, you get this sense that they're constantly paddling furiously beneath the waterline just to keep their head above it all. That's often where subtle functional cognition overload can be at play.
With these clients, the more obvious signs we've discussed might be less pronounced. They might have developed really effective coping mechanisms or learned to mask their difficulties. But the impact is still very real, often manifesting as this pervasive feeling of overwhelm, exhaustion, and a constant battle to keep all the balls in the air.
What might this look like in our conversations? They might:
Talk about feeling constantly "drained" or "burnt out," even if they seem to be achieving a lot. It's like their cognitive battery is constantly running low.
Mention a rigid reliance on routines and become significantly distressed by unexpected changes. This can be a sign that their cognitive resources are already stretched thin, and any deviation throws them off balance.
Express frustration with seemingly simple tasks taking up a disproportionate amount of their time and energy. They might say things like, "I spent hours just trying to sort out that one email."
Hint at feeling like they're constantly "faking it" or worried about things falling apart. This can be linked to the cognitive effort of maintaining their seemingly high level of functioning.
Describe a sense of "brain fog" or difficulty concentrating, particularly at the end of a busy day or week. This highlights the cumulative impact of cognitive demands.
Minimise their struggles or attribute them solely to stress or anxiety, without recognising the underlying cognitive contributions. It’s like their internal gauge of what's "normal" cognitive effort has shifted.
The thing is, because these clients often appear capable, it can be easy to miss the subtle signs of functional cognition overload. But if we really listen, if we pay attention to those recurring themes of exhaustion, overwhelm, and the need for rigid structure, we can start to see the bigger picture.
Recognising these nuances is so important because these clients might not even realise that functional cognition is playing a role in their struggles. They might just think they're not "trying hard enough" or that they're simply more prone to stress.
I truly believe we as all humans, can learn the impacts of functional cognition and interplay it in to our own lives.
By tuning into these more subtle cues, we can start to explore these areas with them, perhaps gently introducing the concept of cognitive load and how it might be impacting their daily lives. It opens up a whole new avenue for understanding their challenges and developing strategies that truly support their functional independence and well-being.
So, as you're chatting with your clients, especially those high-achievers who still seem to be struggling beneath the surface, keep these more subtle signs in mind. It can make all the difference in how we understand and support them.
Take care, and thanks for diving into this series with me.
– Imogen
