[vvector0000]

Is this the best forum to discuss this or is there a more specific one? I can't find anything else appropriate.. since TBI has given me about 6 comorbid psychiatric conditions, I can't possibly keep up with that.

[jeremiahgirl]

Hi! Vector
I don't see any problem with posting here. What is it that concerns you? The other psych conditions are they due to the TBI? Here we chat and just share our own struggles with mental illnesses. So please join in we can support your concerns and help you a long the way.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shezbut]

I do believe that this forum is the most appropriate, when discussing TBI's. Unless you're wanting to discuss specific emotional results: such as depression, anger management, relationship issues, etc. Then, it's probably easier to break things down.

There is a support group which discusses the whole picture though. You may want to check it out sometime. http://forums.psychcentral.com/brain...nal-disorders/
I suffer both TBI effects as well as several emotional disorders myself, and felt as though a separate support group on PC would be very helpful to myself and others. So, I started the group above.

[vvector0000]

Thanks guys.

The thing about it is that it's just a huge ongoing continuum of crap, and there's no way to just solve on issue at a time. I am just wondering if it's the same with other people.. my sheet has major depression, panic disorder, GAD, SAD, ADHD, dysexecutive, neuropathy, previous substance abuse, bleh bleh bleh.

I'm fortunate to have one of the best psychiatrists in town, happens to have a PhD in neurology as well as psychiatry.. I just get tired of having it all go on at once and trying to manage it by myself. I'm not looking for support, I can handle that myself - but you know it's good to get it out.

Ah well.. don't feel too bad today, but sometimes the whole thing is just unreasonable. Glad I could put it out there in case others wander in.

[vvector0000]

Thanks for the link btw, didn't know that one was there.

[shezbut]

Life can be very challenging, no doubt about it.

I have battled emotional troubles ever since I was a little girl, so these aren't exactly "new" to me. What they are is significantly more intense. Doctors like to say "enhanced". Depression, self-hate, anxiety, BPD, PTSD, DD-NOS are my emotional struggles. Physically, I deal with epilepsy (Temporal Lobe Epilepsy) and post-TBI challenges.

I am very lucky in that I have amazing doctors helping me regularly, as well as a nurse that visits my apartment weekly. (She sets up my medicines, as I take many, and offers her wisdom if I need it.) I also have a helper that comes over weekly as well. (She helps me focus on what needs to be done ~ filling out papers, going to doctor appointments, listening & reminds me of issues to bring up in my appointments, etc.)

As time has passed, things have begun to get more manageable for me. I have noticed that recently. So, about 5 years after my TBI, I started to see myself adjusting to changes more easily. As you know, changes always create a bunch of chaos for us. We need repetition. That's what we thrive upon.

I have had a job for over a year, which is going pretty well. I don't work very much, but I realized (a couple of years into my recovery) that I have limits. My limitations are lower than the average Joe's, yes. But, I work 3-4 evenings per week. 3 1/2 hour shifts. SSI and government kicks in the difference so I can afford to pay rent, phone, water, etc. in a HUD apartment building. LOTS and lots of changes have been made in my world, but I've also slowly grown to accept that fact in my life.

I hope that this didn't overwhelm you. I just wanted to give you a better understanding of who I am, and where I am coming from. Best wishes sent your way.

[avlady]

That's great to hear you feel some difference in your life. i wish i could have a job soo bad, i feel useless, unfunctionable after my accidents TBI. What is your job? I can relate with who you are and where you're coming from. I am proud of you and your success. keep up the good work!!!!

[wyldewun]

Originally Posted by vvector0000

Thanks guys.

The thing about it is that it's just a huge ongoing continuum of crap, and there's no way to just solve on issue at a time. I am just wondering if it's the same with other people.. my sheet has major depression, panic disorder, GAD, SAD, ADHD, dysexecutive, neuropathy, previous substance abuse, bleh bleh bleh.

I'm fortunate to have one of the best psychiatrists in town, happens to have a PhD in neurology as well as psychiatry.. I just get tired of having it all go on at once and trying to manage it by myself. I'm not looking for support, I can handle that myself - but you know it's good to get it out.

Ah well.. don't feel too bad today, but sometimes the whole thing is just unreasonable. Glad I could put it out there in case others wander in.

Hi, I also had a TBI in my accident which effected my short term memory. Before my accident I also had substance abuse/alcohol issues. I also have neuropathy from my SCI. Sounds like we're both in the right place!

[(JD)]

Goodness. to all of you or better yet:

It's been 30 years now... since my accident and my supposed "minimal" brain damage... of course my spine and jaw and yadda yadda yadda were injured too...

BUT I'm still working hard at making my brain work again on the level it used to! For example, I used to speak Spanish fluently, but haven't been able to recall the words to speak it on my own...yet I can read and listen with good accuracy. I've tried many other languages over the years, all ones I had had a good bit of exposure (French, Cherokee, Greek...) and only part of ASL is useful for me---the visual signing not the language spelling part. Three years ago I ventured onto Hebrew... mind you, all in trying to retrain the brain so it could build the synapses to where my other language was stored ( do countless brain games on my computer and iPhone too) ... and voila! It's working! This 4th year of study has actually caused (???) some better access to the Spanish. Of course, I've used 3 different courses pretty much at the same time in Hebrew...but it appears to be working.

I haven't worked since the industrial accident and thinking about that and how much I would LOVE to be working makes me feel too sad to allow it...

I often have huge waves of feeling worthless, useless, and wondering how really old people find a reason to live... but I pull out of that (realizing if I all could do is worship God, that would be okay with Him?) and continue...

When I was first injured I could barely talk...for 8 months. I would have fleeting thoughts that often I would forget before getting to the end of the sentence. As that improved, I was cutting people off in their talking (how rude) because I knew my thought would never be expressed if I didn't say it right then. I still have some trouble with this, but find much of what I have to say doesn't matter to others anyway (don't take myself too seriously) and if I can write it down instead (though I lose track of the conversation) THEN if it's still relevant I can add it later.

I feel for you all...and hope you have others (SOMEONE) in your life who can support and encourage you. I'm all alone.

[seamare68]

Before my head injury I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I use to get fibro fog. But since my injury I am finding that I have inappropriate reactions to situations, a lack of embarrasment and patience. While the family understands I just dont think they get it.

[seamare68]

I as well suffered a TBI - but mine was brought on by an accident during sinus surgery. I hope you feel better!

[lavendersage]

Hopefully somebody with TBI knowledge/experience sees this and answers!

A dear friend of mine suffered a TBI when he was 8/9. He's in his late 40's now. He also was slipped a "hit" of LSD in a beer when he was 17/18. The trip that took him on landed him in-patient for a few days.

He's gainfully employed and in a profession that requires attention to detail in terms of mechanical workings of things.

But he definitely has cognitive issues; I've witnessed them first-hand repeatedly. It's not just simply "forgetting". He literally cannot follow conversations unless they are extremely simplistic. And, if they deviate even the slightest from a linear telling, he is completely lost and has absolutely no idea how to find his way back. He also misses subtle changes in conversational context i.e. if you say something a little sarcastic (but not have it come out sounding sarcastic), he will think you are being 100% serious.

I may not be describing this at all well . I've experienced this stuff about him for 18 months and have grown so concerned that I urged him to please get some cognitive testing done. I worry about him terribly. With age one's mental faculties don't typically sharpen.

Can anybody recommend any websites to look at about the various types of cognitive issues post-TBI? I'd like to write a letter that he can bring to a therapist that he's seeing next week (the same one that saw him after his inpatient experience) and I want to describe as best I can as many of the things that I see about him that are a bit "off" as possible.

Thank you!