BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 1

Transcription

1 The Brain Function Assessment Form (BFAF) will help you see which symptoms relate to specific areas of your brain. I suggest printing out a few copies so you can take the test several times as you go along on your protocol. The first test will serve as your baseline. As you go through the program you ll retake the test several times to see whether you are experiencing change in any of these areas. Level 0 means the symptoms are barely an issue, while level 3 means it s a strong issue. Section One covers brain endurance. If you have many brain endurance symptoms, make sure you proceed gently with the upcoming brain rehab exercises so as not to over fatigue your brain and crash. You ll need to build up your brain endurance gradually and gently. Section Two covers parkinsonism symptoms. You can t diagnose parkinsonism with this form. However, it s important to be aware of the symptoms. Section Three screens for early signs of dementia. If you see lots of twos and threes in Section Two and Three, you should see a health care professional to rule out a neurodegenerative disease. In Section Four we can see some overlap between temporal lobe symptoms and dementia because this is the area of the brain where degeneration starts. Section Five is related to the occipital lobe at the back of the brain related to vision. Section Six is related to the frontal cortex and fine motor movements, planning, motivation, drive, and impulse control. Section Seven is associated with parietal lobe, where we perceive sensation from the opposite side of the body and recognize shapes and images. Section Eight is related to the brainstem, which is involved in autonomic (ie: involuntary) function such as breathing and digestion. Sections Nine and Ten are involved with the basal ganglia, an area of the brain involved with helping you move at a normal speed and keeping the mind and your movements calm. Section Eleven covers symptoms associated with the cerebellum, which is involved with balance. BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 1

2 Brain Function Assessment Form (BFAF) Name: Age: Sex: Date: Please circle the appropriate number on all questions below. 0 as the least/never to 3 as the most/always. SECTION 1 A decrease in attention span Mental fatigue Difficulty learning new things Difficulty staying focused and concentrating for extended periods of time Experiencing fatigue when reading sooner than in the past Experiencing fatigue when driving sooner than in the past Need for caffeine to stay mentally alert Overall brain function impairs your daily life SECTION 2 (Brain Endurance) (Early Parkinsonism Symptoms) Twitching or tremor in your hands and legs when resting Handwriting has gotten smaller and more crowded together A loss of smell to foods Difficulty sleeping or fitful sleep Stiffness in shoulders and hips that goes away when you start to move Constipation Voice has become softer Facial expression that is serious or angry Episodes of dizziness or light-headedness upon standing A hunched over posture when getting up and walking SECTION 4 (Temporal Lobe) Reduced function in overall hearing Difficulty understanding language with background or scatter noise Ringing or buzzing in the ear Difficulty comprehending language without perfect pronunciation Difficulty recognizing familiar faces Changes in comprehending the meaning of sentences, written or spoken Difficulty with verbal memory and finding words Difficulty remembering events Difficulty recalling previously learned facts and names Inability to comprehend familiar words when read Difficulty spelling familiar words Monotone, unemotional speech Difficulty understanding the emotions of others when they speak (nonverbal cues) Disinterest in music and a lack of appreciation for melodies Difficulty with long-term memory Memory impairment when doing the basic activities of daily living Difficulty with directions and visual memory Noticeable differences in energy levels throughout the day SECTION 3 (Early Dementia Symptoms) Memory loss that impacts daily activities or working with numbers Confusion about dates, the passage of time, or place relationships (addresses and locations) Misplacement of things and inability to retrace steps Poor judgment and bad decisions Disinterest in hobbies, social activities, or work Personality or mood changes SECTION 5 (Occipital Lobe) Difficulty coordinating visual inputs and hand movements, resulting in an inability to efficiently reach for objects Difficulty comprehending written text Floaters or halos in your visual field Dullness of colors in your visual field during different times of the day Difficulty discriminating similar shades of color BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 2

3 Brain Function Assessment Form (BFAF) SECTION 6 (Frontal Cortex) Difficulty with detailed hand coordination Difficulty with making decisions Difficulty with suppressing socially inappropriate thoughts Socially inappropriate behavior Decisions made based on desires, regardless of the consequences Difficulty planning and organizing daily events Difficulty motivating yourself to start and finish tasks A loss of attention and concentration SECTION 9 (Basal Ganglia Direct Pathway) A decrease in movement speed Difficulty initiating movement Stiffness in your muscles (not joints) A stooped posture when walking Cramping of your hand when writing SECTION 7 (Parietal Lobe) Hypersensitivities to touch or pain laying back in a chair, or leaning against a wall Frequently bumping into the wall or objects Handwriting has become sloppier or verbal communication SECTION 10 (Basal Ganglia Indirect Pathway) Abnormal body movements (such as twitching legs) or perform some type of movement Constant nervousness and a restless mind Compulsive behaviors SECTION 8 (Brainstem) or large bites of food Bowel motility and movements slow Bloating after meals Dry eyes or dry mouth A racing heart Bowel or bladder incontinence, resulting in staining your underwear SECTION 11 (Cerebellum) noticeably worse on one side A need to hold the handrail or watch each step carefully when going down stairs Episodes of dizziness Nausea, car sickness, or seasickness A quick impact after consuming alcohol A slight hand shake when reaching for something Back muscles that tire quickly when standing or walking Chronic neck or back muscle tightness BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 3

4 Brain Function Assessment Form (BFAF) - Exercise Key BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 4

5 Brain Function Assessment Form (BFAF) - Exercise Key 2013 Datis Kharrazian. All Rights Reserved. SMGEBFAFEXKEY38(112113) Symptom groups listed on this form are intended to be usedkharrazian as a diagnosis of any disease or condition. by elephant press Page 5 BANISH BR AIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright not 2016 by datis published

6 Notes: DrKNews.com BrainFog.DrKNews.com BANISH BRAIN FOG: Chapter 5 workbook Copyright 2016 by datis kharrazian published by elephant press Page 6