Table 4.

Additional Cognitive Functioning Concepts Identified in Study 2

Concept	# Interviews Coded	Definition	Example Quotes
Ability to read	17	Ability to read, including the ability to comprehend what one is reading	If I’m reading from a book, usually it’s okay, because it’s not a screen. But after I read for a couple of minutes, I start seeing lines merging. It takes me twice as long to read a sentence between the throbbing and the visual problems, and then I’m not able to process it because so much of my brain is focused on the pain itself.
Math/money management	11	Ability to do math or conduct financial transactions	During an attack, I can’t do basic things like count money, so I always make sure I have a debit card.
Ability to write	10	Ability to write by hand or using a keyboard	I just flat out write down the wrong words or wrong letters.
Impulse and behavior management	9	Ability to control impulses and reactions	I’ll just, out of the blue, my language turns bluer than ultraviolet. I mean, it’s flaming blue. I’m dropping [curse words] and all kinds of other crazy language for no good reason. I’m not angry at anything, but all of a sudden, I’m dropping all kinds of ultraviolet, flaming blue language.
Problem solving	6	Ability to identify/recognize problems and engage in problem solving behaviors	Well, if I’m having a migraine, I’m not able to really look at two or three moves ahead. I’m doing good to be looking at one move ahead…And you go back and you look at it and you say, dumb. What’d you do? Why’d you do this? Why didn’t you catch that?