A few weeks ago, I asked you, what if we didn’t call it “Mild” Cognitive Impairment?
After all, MCI is a lot of things, but it definitely is not is mild.
At the end of that video, I asked you, my viewers, what do you think? What do you call it? How do you talk about it?
Instead of calling it mild cognitive impairment, what if we called it “My Cognitive Impairment”?
And one answer was so brilliant, so perfect, I just had to share it with you today.
Hi, I’m Tony Dearing, of GoCogno.com, the website for people with mild cognitive impairment and author of the book, “I Want My Mind Back.”
When I put that video out, I got responses, and the one that stood out to me was this very clever suggestion from a reader who said instead of calling it mild cognitive impairment, what if we called it “My Cognitive Impairment”?
How perfect is that?
It captures one of the single most important points about MCI, which is how unique MCI is to each person who has it.
This is something I talk about in my book, “I Want My Mind Back: The Go Cogno Approach to Halt or Reverse MCI.” In the very first chapter, when I discuss the ways people are able to slow, halt or reverse cognitive decline, one of the most important things is to “own your version of MCI because you are the only person who has it.”
Now yes, there are certain things that are recommended for everyone with cognitive loss: exercise, diet, stress management, sleep, brain training.
There are people who regularly exercise and still get MCI, because for them, it’s caused by something else.
But there are people who regularly exercise and still get MCI. There are people who eat vegan or meditate or do brain puzzles like crazy and still get MCI, because for them, it’s caused by something else. And when you and your doctor figure out what that something else is, that’s when you’ve got genuine chance of doing better.
There was a time not that long ago, when it was not even possible to say that cognitive impairment could be slowed or halted or reversed. These days, innovative doctors are not only saying it, they are doing it.
A number of them have been guests on my past videos. And there’s one thing they all have in common. They all emphasize a highly individualized, precision treatment plan designed specifically for each patient.
I hope you’re getting that kind of treatment, but I also hope you understand that I have seen people successfully halt or reverse their cognitive impairment mostly by figuring it out on their own. They identified two or three things that they were particularly vulnerable for and they went to work on those things, and they ended up getting a better result than they even hoped for.
So I like to give you that reminder every now and then. Mild cognitive impairment? You’re welcome to call it whatever you want to call it. But when you own it, and what you own is your version of it, that’s when you give yourself a real chance.
Thanks for joining me today. See you again soon. Until then, as always, be kind to your mind.
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Dear Tony,
Call it anything you want!
I know I can trust you on this!
Best Wishes,
Zvi Dagan, Jerusalem
Thanks, Zvi. For the most part, I just refer to it as cognitive impairment, and leave the “mild” off.
What do you call MCI after you test positive for Alzheimer’s? …..Chapter 1?
There is a specific diagnosis called “MCI due to Alzheimer’s.” Many people don’t know what the cause of their MCI is, or their MCI is caused by something other than Alzheimer’s. But if a person is able to get the spinal tap or PET scan that is used specifically to identify Alzheimer’s as the underlying cause, then that diagnosis applies. It’s important to remember that at the MCI stage, it still remains possible through a treatment plan and health behaviors to slow the progression. I often share the quote of Harvard neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas, who told the Harvard Health Letter that he’s seen plenty of patients “stay in the MCI stage for many years, even when we presume it was a neurodegenerative disease.” He went on to observe that: “The people who spend the most time cognitively stable are often the ones who stick to lifestyle recommendations.”
I’ve been saying “cognitive impairment”, or “brain issues”, depending on who I’m talking to. I feel comfortable telling someone I have a brain impairment when I’m obviously not interacting as well as I could be. In person or on the phone. Same thing with using “brain issues.” It’s friendly and is received well. I haven’t had anyone get weirded out. I only use it when the explanation can clear up what’s going on – or not going on.
People have always been helpful.
That’s a good way to handle it, Pam. Thanks for sharing.