Recurring problem - Open windows disappear on layer clicks

Ok, this is a problem that some people been having and still I haven't seen a real solution.

Before I start, a few things:

I'm on a Mac (Sierra), using a Mac Pro (New version) with an AMD Fire GPU.

This is something that happened a LOT in Photoshop CC 2017 and NOW, fresh install, also happens in CC 2018, latest update.

I'm a heavy user from since PS 3 in the eighties and also have a history of computer tech for Apple, so we can disconsider "wrong clicks" here .

All that said, this is what happened in 2017 and now in 2018 version:
One or more pictures (projects) open (i like floating windows, hate tabs in Photoshop). Go over to the Layer list over in the Palette and CLICK on one (any) and BAM! - ALL open windows DISAPPEAR from the screen. All I see is Photoshop's interface, as if I just opened the program. In Photoshop 2017 I used to HIDE photoshop and switch BACK and then all windows would show up again and I could get back to work. But now in 2018 that DOESN'T solve it.

I've been testing a lot of options here:
If I use Control + ` I can switch between open windows and they DO show up when I first do this switching. But they disappear as soon as I click on any layer name over in the Palette again.

I tried turning OFF the "Use Graphic Processor" over in the Performance settings in Preferences. Problem persists.

Sometimes Photoshop is KIND with me and stops causing this bug and I can finish my work. But then, out of nowhere, problem comes back. Very annoying.

I'm considering erasing the preferences, since I *DID* use the ones from previous installs (brushes, actions etc), but that is clearly going to be a hassle since I'd have to rearrange/install all my brushes/actions/configs from scratch. That will be my LAST resort, if the problem becomes unbearable.

So, let's keep this open for Adobe to check out this, since there ARE many people with this problem.
Hope they come up with some answer.

Thanks all!

EDIT: Testing, I just noticed the windows disappear whenever I click ANYWHERE IN THE UI (any panel, any tool, any menu option). It's as if the windows all went BEHIND the dark grey background - something Photoshop only added in the CC versions, before which the background was transparent, all windows floating over whatever was showing on the desktop.

EDIT 2: More testing, I set preferences back to TABS just to see what happens: the disappearing stopped. But, as I said before, I *hate* tabs in Photoshop. Many times I work with several open files and NEED to see them at once for on reason or another. Staying in tab mode is out of the question. --- So, went back to Floating Windows and the problem stopped. As soon as I closed the images and opened them again, problem came back. Bah!