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.

698 Members

2,745 Posts

1 Online

madoak 04/10/2013

Currently struggling with lack of self awareness (my own) and thinking I can do much more than I really can. I think I'm still finding it hard to accept I've got a brain injury and then I'm shocked when things go wrong.
Today I went to sell my car and buy a little camper van (a nice thing to do and was looking forward to it as it means I can go off and find quiet in the countryside when I need time out). After trying out the van (an ordeal in itself), I started to negotiate on a price. Well, I don't know about you guys but I can't count any more. I was getting into a terrible muddle and then got my hundreds and thousands mixed up. The dealer was a bit shocked when I suggested dropping the price to practically zero. Then I really started to bottom out when he asked me questions about my car that I wanted to sell to him - realised I'd made no sense at all and had to re-respond to everything I'd just said. Finally we got into the dealership office and I couldn't understand anything he was saying at all (complete brain crash). Told him I had a brain injury and, oh my word, he was so nice and helpful after that. Retrieved husband who was chasing my autistic son, who wouldn't settle, round and round the yard, and we finally closed the deal. It would have all looked funny if it wasn't so awful.
So, on our way home, I could have sobbed, realising that I didn't really know anything about my future and what I could realistically cope with workwise.I think I've been kidding myself that things will eventually come right as they were before. Does anyone else have this problem of not realising limitations before they do too much and crash? Tonight I'm exhausted and in pain -brain feels muted (almost short-circuited). Trying not to worry too much about the future - but it's hard.

Aust 04/10/2013

I would never have gone to start about car in the first place, you were brave there. I handed my driving licence back because of problems from first tbi. Do miss it, but was the right thing for me to do. still is. I have trouble following directions, get confused, may not remember. That applies to where I am going, or sometimes what i am doing on a project. Been many years now, I dont work anymore, other reasons too. It isnt easy to suddenly realize how your life has changed. And worry how your going to cope with it all. Give yourself time, one day at a time, no pressure on yourself, make time to find the new you.

deleted_user 04/11/2013

Madoak,

Yes, I have experienced exactly what you described multiple times.

I'm a bit bull headed or stubborn, (gosh, did I just admit that?)

I fought it every time. It has gotten better with time. I'm almost 4 years into recovery and if it happens again...I still fight it...I always will.

Rest will set you straight again.

drambuie62 04/11/2013

Hello Madoak, You were in the realm of an emotional manipulator (not a judgement, it's just his job). It seems fairly common that the tbi 'brain fog' is triggered by emotion and he is trained in using your emotions toward his profit. It is obvious in how you write that you are an intelligent person, but when you got triggered, you couldn't 'process' information any more. It sounds like when you admitted your condition he reacted quite honorably and became more emotionally gentle. I am 50 years out and, sorry to say, still have this problem. It does get less painful when you become aware of how it is triggered. I can deal with 'salesman' fairly well, but then again, i never expect to get much of a 'deal'. I also don't care enough about money to try any more.

I have found it necessary to maintain a very 'even keel' in life. On the up side, it offers increased intellect (emotion often blocks even a non tbi mind from learning), but on the down side, it makes life quite flat. Having someone around (like your husband) that understands your dilemma will allow you to 'pass off' to him when situations get too emotionally charged.

Enjoy your camper.... sounds like a blast.

madoak 04/11/2013

I think the even-keel idea sounds good if I can do it - I suppose I will just have to limit the more pressurised situations. I don't mind a bit of 'flatness' in order to function in a less traumatic way. I also agree about the resting because I've been told time and time again to stop being so busy and it always ends in disaster. It is hard to change the pattern of a lifetime though where I was the busy mum working full time. My O.T. has just recommended just told me that she will refer me to a place for people who have had brain injury where they can try out working in a therapeutic environment to see how it goes and also pick up new skills. Might be worth a try. ...And if it doesn't work out, then there are no consequences I guess. Thanks for your replies.

Join the Conversation