Concerns Regarding Cognitive Functioning
As an 18-year-old woman, I have encountered various cognitive challenges for several years. My background includes diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and anxiety. Recently, during a consultation with a speech-language pathologist, she suggested that my difficulties stemmed from my existing conditions combined with anxiety. I, however, feel compelled to disagree with her assessment. Here’s a summary of my experiences. Approximately three years back, I began to notice intermittent challenges with word retrieval. Over time, these difficulties have intensified. I often find myself struggling to recall the spelling of straightforward terms and, more troublingly, I sometimes cannot tell if a word is spelled correctly. Lately, my speech appears to be muddled; words occasionally merge together with the next word I intend to say. I frequently experience situations where I struggle to pronounce a word appropriately, leading me to experiment with various iterations of that word until I either finally recall it or consult a dictionary. Moreover, my reading comprehension has also suffered; I often misread words and need to revisit them multiple times before I can acknowledge my mistakes. I have observed that heightened anxiety exacerbates these symptoms. Nevertheless, I also experience these challenges during calmer moments. When confronted with a word that eludes me, I resort to naming related items in hopes of triggering the correct word from my memory. Some specific instances illustrate my situation: A few months ago, I found myself unable to spell the word "nine." Recently, I struggled to verbalize "alphabetize," which led to a frustrating few minutes of trial and error before I ultimately decided to look it up. On another occasion, I misread "amphitheater," having to reread it twice before realizing I was mistaken. Just a few days ago, I misspelled "dough" as "dougg." I have also noticed a pattern where my spelling aligns more closely with phonetic renditions rather than conventional spelling. While I do not believe my issues are indicative of brain atrophy—given my regular reading habits of at least two hours daily and frequent interactions with others—I am seeking insight into whether the speech pathologist's assessment holds merit or if my concerns warrant further investigation. Thank you for your guidance.
Answers (1)
2/7/2026, 2:00:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel concerned about your cognitive functioning, especially given your background and the challenges you've outlined. Your description suggests a combination of word retrieval issues, spelling difficulties, and reading comprehension challenges, exacerbated by anxiety but also occurring in calmer moments. Let's explore your situation and clarify actionable next steps.
Main Points:
- Your cognitive challenges may be influenced by existing conditions such as ADHD, autism, and anxiety.
- It's essential to consider additional factors that could be affecting your cognitive functioning.
- Understanding your symptoms and observing patterns are important for addressing your concerns.
Explanation:
Cognitive difficulties, including problems with word retrieval, spelling, and reading comprehension, can sometimes be linked to conditions like ADHD and anxiety. ADHD can affect working memory and attention, while anxiety may further complicate these issues by creating additional stress during tasks that require cognitive effort. Importantly, these symptoms can sometimes occur independently of anxiety, suggesting that there may be other underlying factors at play.
Your experience with word retrieval difficulties, including challenges in spelling and reading comprehension, is not uncommon, particularly among individuals with ADHD or related cognitive conditions. However, since you have expressed doubt about the assessment of the speech-language pathologist, it's crucial to further investigate your concerns.
Next Steps:
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Keep a Cognitive Diary: Track specific instances when you face challenges with word retrieval, spelling, or reading comprehension. Note the context in which they happen—whether alone or in groups, during stress, or at calm moments. This may help identify patterns and triggers.
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Explore Self-Help Techniques:
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practice mindfulness or relaxation exercises (like deep breathing or meditation) to help manage anxiety, which may, in turn, ease cognitive pressure.
- Word Games and Puzzles: Engage in activities that challenge your vocabulary and cognitive processing in a fun way, such as crossword puzzles or word search games.
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Consider a Comprehensive Evaluation: If your challenges continue or worsen, seek a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation from a psychologist or a qualified specialist who can provide a thorough assessment of cognitive functioning beyond what a speech-language pathologist may focus on. This evaluation may help distinguish between different contributing factors.
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Stay Engaged: Continue your regular reading habits, and maybe explore reading aloud or discussing what you've read with others. This interaction may help reinforce language skills and boost confidence.
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Follow Up: Reassess symptoms regularly and decide when to seek additional help based on changes in your experiences.
Your concerns are valid, and seeking clarity is an important step. You are not alone in facing these challenges, and there are many resources and strategies to help you navigate them. Let me know if you need more specific strategies or information on any part of this.
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