Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
Hello, i am just starting on my search for support/understanding. I was injured at the age of 9 months but grew up unaware, in a family of denialists (yes, i made up the word). My injury was severe and I was in hospital, from what i can gather (workin up the will to go after my records), for 2 weeks. My entire life has been one long grueling anxiety attack and desperate fatigue. I have spent most of what i have ever been able to earn on 'psychotherapy' and drug treatments....with no relief (actually, the drugs always took away what little pleasure i did get from life).
I learned of the 'tbi' symptoms from a woman i met on a dating site a few months ago. She had suffered one in a car accident and having been a senior nurse prior, was able to give me a detailed description of what the 'physical' symptoms are, and also helped me figure out which symptoms are the psychological results of living within ignorance.
I managed to achieve a fairly high level intellect/education through the profuse tears/anxieties of dealing with 'social' school environments....but floundered severely in 'life' due to the inabilities created by the injury. Before i learned of my 'injury', i held on tight to 'hope' that i could work through my many issues but after learning about the injury, i have to say.... I lost hope completely....(but i did find some peace because I stopped judging myself).
I can really use some advice/compassion right now. My family is almost completely non supportive, save 'giving' me the odd job to do so that i can 'earn' my most meager survival (they are quite wealthy but still refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of my struggle). I can't keep going. I am feeling absolutely and completely alone....and incredibly frightened.
Beyond all the anxiety, fatigue, and memory issues, i have found a silver lining, and am curious how many other ppl experience it. I find that i am extremely empathetic (bordering on psychic). In fact, i read people's inner emotional state so well, it freaks them out (and myself as well). I have found that when I experience any emotion (mine or not) i go into a 'fog' where my connection with the physical world is almost lost completely (I end up quite speechless and virtually unconscious) but my connection to the spiritual/universal world is strongly enhanced. It is quite a trip, i have to admit, but unfortunately, it goes completely misunderstood by 'society' so I end up 'stuck' there until i can find a 'safe' place to recover (hard to do....trust me).
I guess i've gone on long enough for an intro. Peace to one and all.
I learned of the 'tbi' symptoms from a woman i met on a dating site a few months ago. She had suffered one in a car accident and having been a senior nurse prior, was able to give me a detailed description of what the 'physical' symptoms are, and also helped me figure out which symptoms are the psychological results of living within ignorance.
I managed to achieve a fairly high level intellect/education through the profuse tears/anxieties of dealing with 'social' school environments....but floundered severely in 'life' due to the inabilities created by the injury. Before i learned of my 'injury', i held on tight to 'hope' that i could work through my many issues but after learning about the injury, i have to say.... I lost hope completely....(but i did find some peace because I stopped judging myself).
I can really use some advice/compassion right now. My family is almost completely non supportive, save 'giving' me the odd job to do so that i can 'earn' my most meager survival (they are quite wealthy but still refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of my struggle). I can't keep going. I am feeling absolutely and completely alone....and incredibly frightened.
Beyond all the anxiety, fatigue, and memory issues, i have found a silver lining, and am curious how many other ppl experience it. I find that i am extremely empathetic (bordering on psychic). In fact, i read people's inner emotional state so well, it freaks them out (and myself as well). I have found that when I experience any emotion (mine or not) i go into a 'fog' where my connection with the physical world is almost lost completely (I end up quite speechless and virtually unconscious) but my connection to the spiritual/universal world is strongly enhanced. It is quite a trip, i have to admit, but unfortunately, it goes completely misunderstood by 'society' so I end up 'stuck' there until i can find a 'safe' place to recover (hard to do....trust me).
I guess i've gone on long enough for an intro. Peace to one and all.
I am sorry also your family is not supportive. All we really have in this world is our family. Stay strong, know you are not crazy and keep posting.
Here to listen if you need someone!
I have to say, the most damaging part to my life was, in fact, the ignorance of it's effects. The 'knowing' has made life far less painful overall but no less debilitating.
It's funny...50 years of work...and i am feeling like i am just starting.
I don't know why, but this sentence made me smile :). Knowledge is golden! I'm glad you were able to figure this out for yourself. It seems that's the only way to find anything out for me.
I have been through all the medications, and treatments along the way. And I never felt like any of the drugs were doing me any good. I'm doing the best I've tried yet, being medication free. But the knowledge I've been gifted with, sometimes I wish I could give that back...
All I know is that life goes on!
Take care!
SSE
Knowledge that is hard fought (or well earned) always has a certain sweetness to it. Finding out about my tbi recently, brought a dramatic shift to my inner world. My struggle with the outside world actually got somewhat worse, but my inner struggle is virtually gone. It's a peace i have never known, and i am finally realizing the meaning of "don't sweat the small stuff....and it's all small stuff"
I am slowly working toward engaging the 'system' and having an assessment done. I spoke with a friend who has been through it here in Canada. She has given me a lot of useful tips and is going to do some preliminary work for me. I would like to get into a research program of some sort. if possible. Like you said....It would be nice to give some of the knowledge back.
Yeah, it's all small stuff in comparison now.
That's great you have support!
Good luck to you!
Take care!
SSE
I would say to keep working toward peace and balance in all aspects of your inner world. Seek neither happiness nor sadness (neither can exist without the other, and they are both virtually the same as far as the brain is concerned). We end up appearing rather 'stoic' sorts (when compared to non tbi people), but as any Buddhist monk can attest, it is the path to enlightenment/heaven/eden.
I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable with, in terms of medical care.
I will say, that there is a big difference between Dr's who understand Brain Injuries versus Dr's who don't. Sadly, it sounds like you've been treated, your whole life, by Doctor's who were unaware of your brain injury.
The right knowledgeable, compassionate Doctor could be a good support for you.
And you will definitely find support here.