The Neurosparkle Struggle: Being Heard Over Our Words

Nobody likes a Know-It-All...but what happens when you really know what you know?

Recently, I find myself deep in preparation mode for a slew of upcoming doctor’s appointments—not just for my own medical care, but also as a caregiver for my elderly dad. Just last night, I spent hours in a 33,785-word conversation with AI, role-playing as if I were presenting my case to Dr. House and his team of diagnosticians from the TV show House, MD.

The goal?

To refine my thoughts, challenge my premises, and ensure that when I walk into a doctor’s office, I’m bringing clarity, not just a tornado of words.

WHAT IT MEANS:

A Real-Life Example of When "I Just Know" Wasn't Enough

Recently, I took my dad to the ER because something was wrong. There were no obvious symptoms—no fever, no burning, no extra confusion, no pain—just a look in his eyes that told me something wasn’t right. I told the triage nurse and doctor, “I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure it’s either another stroke or another Urinary Tract Infection.”

Their response? Skepticism. 

I could feel their eyes on me, judging, as though I were overreacting or playing doctor Google. But they had to examine him, and sure enough, he had a raging UTI that had progressed to urosepsis - a fatal condition if left untreated. The doctor later admitted, “You really do know your dad.”

Ya think?

It was a relief, of course, but the experience highlighted a recurring problem: As a gestalt thinker and pattern recognizer, I don’t always fit the mold of a typical patient or caregiver. My instinct and ability to “just know” something is wrong often rubs medical professionals the wrong way. And for many people like me, this leads to frustration and communication breakdowns.

The Neurosparkle Mantra in Action

The heart of the problem can be summed up with my favorite mantra:

“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

When I try to explain what I see or feel—especially in high-stakes medical settings—it’s not always easy to translate my internal thought process into something linear and digestible for others. The more I fear being misunderstood, the more words I use to clarify, which ironically makes me harder to follow.

And suddenly all my confidence and carefully rehearsed words become incoherent and I am left a mangled emotional mess.

Why I Played “House”

I have to see a doctor today for my hip but my body awareness and pattern recognition have made me 99% sure that the issue is a complex cascade of seemingly unrelated medical issues.

That’s why I turned to AI and spent an entire night role-playing as if I were presenting my case to Dr. House. I wasn’t looking for validation—I wanted to be proven wrong if my premises or hunches didn’t hold up. I wanted to ensure my thoughts were clear, my assumptions were reasonable, and my conclusions were grounded.

I wanted to get to no. I want to be wrong. I hope it is something simple. I don’t think it is.

What came out of that marathon conversation was a carefully curated letter—a distillation of my thoughts and observations that I can either hand to my doctor or read aloud, depending on how my nerves present that day. I know my anxiety might make me tear up or my voice waver, but this letter ensures that what I need to say doesn’t get lost in translation.

The Challenge of Being a Neurosparkler in the Medical World

As a Neurosparkler, my ability to think in patterns and intuitively connect dots isn’t always seen as a strength in medical settings. Doctors often mistake my detailed explanations or deep research for overthinking, WebMD-style amateurism, or arrogance.

But the truth is:

1. I Know What I Know: I’m not guessing. I’ve already ruled out the obvious and am coming to you with my best, most informed hypothesis.

2. I Want to Be Challenged: I don’t need agreement; I need rigorous critique. Prove me wrong, and I’ll be grateful.

3. I Refuse to Apologize for Being Prepared: I’m not bringing in printouts from the internet. I’m bringing carefully thought-out observations and questions to make the most of the limited time we have.

Why This Matters

For hyper-verbal people like me—extemporaneous thinkers, verbal processors, and deep divers—the way we communicate can sometimes work against us. When we’re verbose, especially under nervous energy, our insistence on clarity can come across as pushy and scattered. Conversely, in moments of heightened anxiety, we may struggle to get the words out, even when our brain knows exactly what we want to convey.

It’s not about ego; it’s about ensuring we’re heard and understood.

For caregivers, the stakes are even higher. It’s not just about being right; it’s about advocating effectively for someone who may not be able to speak for themselves. In my dad’s case, trusting my instinct probably saved his life more than once.

The Takeaway

Whether it’s for myself or my dad, I’ve learned to approach medical situations with both humility and confidence. I lead with curiosity, not conclusions. I frame my insights as starting points for collaboration, not definitive answers.

And most importantly, I remind myself:

• It’s okay to be emotional.

• It’s okay to be detailed.

• And it’s okay to demand to be heard.

When I walk into a doctor’s office, I’ll have my letter ready, my nerves steeled, and my mindset focused on one thing: clarity. After all, knowing what you know—and standing firm in it—isn’t arrogance. It’s advocacy.



Let’s Put it into Action:

Have you ever tried role-playing with AI to prepare for a big conversation?

For me, it’s not just a preparation tool—it’s a lifeline for navigating a world that often struggles to hear us. AI gives me the space to refine my thoughts, challenge my assumptions, and ensure that when I speak, my voice carries the clarity and confidence I need to be truly understood.

But just on the off chance that I lose my words, I have the letter printed and ready to hand to the doctor so I am heard even if I can’t speak.

How do you prepare to be heard when the stakes are high?

If you need help preparing for a conversation of your own, let’s talk about it!

Special thanks to the sponsor of today’s Newsletter!

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