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.

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Being Ignored

meep76
meep76
Does anyone else get ignored by your own family? What I mean by this, is that tonight I'm literally standing in my living room talking to my grandmother who I live with of course and I start telling her about something immensely important that happened today so she acknowledges me for one split second and then she goes and turns the tv on and then ...looks around me as I'm continuing to talk like I'm not even there. Like are you freaking kidding me!

And this happens all the time. And sometimes she'll just sit there in silence just looking at the tv without the sound and not even look at me like she'd rather be watching it than talk to me. So I'll say something to try and get a response from her and what do I get...absolutely nothing...it's like talking to a freaking wall. God I'm so frustrated. After the day I've had I just don't need this crap right now.

I'm just so hurt right now it's not even funny.
deleted_user
deleted_user
1. Does your grandmother act like this with other people? If not then ask her directly why she does this with you (or get someone else to). If she just doesn't want to talk to you then give up on her and do your own thing. Her behaviour is a reflection on her, not you. NB: there is no rule that says you have to get on with relatives any better than other people- if they are rude then that is their personality. Friends are the family you choose for yourself.
2. If your grandmother is like this often, have you considered that she may have one of the many types of dementia problems that occur? In which case she may not even know you are there or even remember what she has just seen on tv. In which case she needs help and tons of understanding.

Does the rest of your family treat you like this. Is it possible for you to live somewhere else?
ElanieLanie
ElanieLanie
I have to confess that I've done this to my husband...pre-TBI. I know this probably doesn't help, but I'm sure it wasn't anything about you. She's just in her own zone, for whatever reason.

Is this unusual behavior for her or the norm?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't think people realise what they are doing and to be honest if they have never been seriously sick they never will. I know it hurts like wen people who always said they were good friends who then get mad at you for wanting to talk about your problems. Sorry to say it but I don't think you can change her. you will just have to accept her for who she is. Is there anyone else you have to talk too. you know you can always talk on here. We'll listen
Aust
Aust
Just maybe she needs help too. And may not be aware of it herself. If she was would probably be so upset she had hurt you. Can you ask her Dr if he thinks there is any posibility of a problem? I understand this doesnt lesson your hurt, but may be worth finding out, because you love her.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My parents treat me like I don't exsist when my sister and her husband and kids are around, and the only people that notice me are the kids. I don't know, I guess I'm still "the white elephant" in the room. the one that they don't want to deal with or acknowledge. My folks still feel guilty about the accident that caused my brain injury because I think it was after midnight or late at night because we were hit by a drunk driver. My mom still says to me the brain is scrambled and still treats me that way [I feel that she does]. I always feel invisible when any of my family is gathered together.