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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kshort49 03/11/2013

Has anyone had a problem with this after their TBI? I was always one to wait until the last minute to do things, but I've found that after my mTBI, I seem to put off doing stuff all the time. I am perfectly happy being on my computer-mostly catching up on news or medical sites, as well as keeping in touch with my family, who live far from me. Once I get going on a project or chore or whatever, I'm ok for a while. But if I stop, then I have to fight myself to get back to work. I understand all the things that a brain injury can do, physical and mental, such as dizziness, fatigue, memory problems, getting words wrong, or even the problems I have with my eyes, but I don't understand how a TBI can affect whether you want to vacuum, go to the store, or make some phone calls. I just feel like I'm putting off stuff too often. I know that I'm doing this and it's not right, but I still keep doing it. Anyone experience anything like this? Thanks!

(Right now I have to go work on cleaning out a closet-I better start before I decide not to--it might take a couple days to talk myself into doing it again!!)

ElanieLanie 03/11/2013

I think you just described exactly what I deal with now.

I was a total type-A - always things done in advance - always timely - always on top of things.

Now....mehhhhh....

I've been trying to improve on this with creating a daily to-do list to get myself focused on getting things accomplished.

drambuie62 03/11/2013

I was too young, when i had my accident, to remember the before picture, but yes, i have always struggled with motivation and procrastination. I think it has to do with 'executive functions', or as i put it, ego. The ego is what 'drives' us in life, but is also the part of us that isn't actually part of us, so it's hard to see how it is affected by BI. Because the ego is so rooted in emotion, procrastination ties in with the long term emotional allergies that we acquired from our BIs.

I find that sometimes being 'moved to act' becomes an overwhelming 'trigger' for my fog, while at other times, i move into the 'zone' and work away quite effortlessly (of course, being in the zone implies a lack of ego involvement...ie working from the heart instead of the head)

I find most of the 'activitites' humans engage in are very ego driven, so when I compare myself to the 'average' person, i look like a bit of a snail, but when i get lost in the zone while creating my art (or riding my bike, or making love to a woman), I experience the joy of complete presence (which can be a hell of a lot more fulfilling than egocentric happiness).

deleted_user 03/12/2013

I am 7 1/2 years out from my TBI, and I continue to have difficulty with procrastination. I put off doing the most simple things. Then after I do accomplish them, I wonder why it took me so long to do that. I think to myself... that was pretty simple. But it seems to me that I think in my mind that everything is going to be so difficult.

I still struggle with this everyday. And I wait until the very last minute to do everything. :(

natbackagain 03/12/2013

Yes as the others have stated it is a problem becaause of your tbi.
They really mess us up right.
Perhaps as like Elaine said and does make a list and if you have somehing nice to look forward to do make a deal with yourself that you won't do that until you are finished.
I know its hard, Its just so easy to take it easy and do the things you enjoy doing first.
It is all about retraining the brain to get used to doing things again when they need to be done. You can do it but it takes time.
Good luck and wishing you all the best

hollygrove 03/12/2013

I tend to procrastinate when it comes to "the usual" stuff.. If another person calls me and asks for help of any kind I"m always there. However, My kitchen housework can always wait. I find, however, that when I engage my brain and say "At least get one shelf cleared off", I do more than that. It's that first move.

The following quote ( concerning motivation) describes me completely:

"There are some things we should not pray about; moods for instance. Moods never go by praying, they go by kicking....we have to take ourselves by the scruff of the neck and shake ourselves, and we will find we can do what we thought we could not" .

Convincing myself to take the first step and "do the next thing" ( another quote from this author ) is the hardest. As I said, I"ll gladly make 50 bookmarks for the senior citizens at church, but when it comes to clearing off and cleaning my own bookshelves, it's another story. I know this stems from 29 years of multiple tbis , but I have to take responsibility too, and use some discipline.
That's easier said than done at times , although I have started my diet and exercise program the doctor put me on Three Weeks Ago. A little late, but I think I'm finally "in the groove" . Ask me again in a month . :) -H

hmyers512 03/17/2013

I have trouble keeping my focus and memory and plannign things. It seems that i focus with tunnel vision on the few things i can handle and everything else slips by the wayside. It's been very costly in many ways. I've tried to-do lists but i always forget to use them. lol. probably the most help is using google calendar, i seem to be able to keep that up, and I can set a reminder to pop up multiple times if need be.

deleted_user 03/17/2013

As with the replies... this also happens to me everyday. It is so frustrating... I to try to use a list to keep me on track. It helps a little... but there are days I know I am supposed to get lots done and just don't. Know you are not alone! Hang in there... :)

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