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.
The past few months have been so frustrating! I know the expression is "the word is on the tip of my tongue" , but in my case it seems to be "on the tip of my brain". I just can't seem to get the words I want to come forward.
I noticed this morning that the tree limbs were moving quickly back and forth. I said to my husband "I'd better wear my heavy coat. It's really, um, "blowy" outside". I couldn't think of the word "windy". A few days ago I was parked at a store. I came out to find someone had parked close to my back bumper. I had a hard time backing out. When I later told Mark about this , I couldn't think of the term "back out",, so I said "unpark"! ( I used to belong to a tbi chat room, and we all called this "speaking tbi-ese")
I was warned years ago that , due to my prematurely aging brain, I would see functions slowly go downhill. My neuropsyc kindly said "And the h*ll of it is you're smart enough to know when you're losing something." ( Instead of gracefully declining over age, I'm going to lose cognitive abilities by steps and stairs) . I"m fortunate that my friends will wait a few seconds while I try to think of the word I want ( or make a new word up!). However I feel as though I should be studying the thesaurus to have synonyms available when I can't get the desired word forward.
Does this happen to you?
I noticed this morning that the tree limbs were moving quickly back and forth. I said to my husband "I'd better wear my heavy coat. It's really, um, "blowy" outside". I couldn't think of the word "windy". A few days ago I was parked at a store. I came out to find someone had parked close to my back bumper. I had a hard time backing out. When I later told Mark about this , I couldn't think of the term "back out",, so I said "unpark"! ( I used to belong to a tbi chat room, and we all called this "speaking tbi-ese")
I was warned years ago that , due to my prematurely aging brain, I would see functions slowly go downhill. My neuropsyc kindly said "And the h*ll of it is you're smart enough to know when you're losing something." ( Instead of gracefully declining over age, I'm going to lose cognitive abilities by steps and stairs) . I"m fortunate that my friends will wait a few seconds while I try to think of the word I want ( or make a new word up!). However I feel as though I should be studying the thesaurus to have synonyms available when I can't get the desired word forward.
Does this happen to you?
I have had neuropsyc testing since brain surgery and always tested in the superior or above average levels. After the concussion , I was tested and my "grades" dropped a level in all areas. The neuropsyc wrote "this indeed seems to be the harbinger of prematurely aging brain" . ( I have copies of all the neuropsyc tests I've had) . The firm diagnosis came a few months later. As I mentioned, I'll lose skills over time, but I can stave them off by doing things to strengthen my brain . ( Learning a new language is the # 1 way of strengthening the brain ) . I teach English as a second language to 4 students ( 2 Chinese and 2 from Central America) . This keeps my communication skills at a high level , and I"m forced to learn more Spanish and some Chinese! This is all good for my wee brain. ( And lots of fun) .
So don't assume you're going to get worse from my experiences. We're all different , and I've just had a multitude of "head insults". I"m older than you and things do decline gradually as we age , but not until you're much older. Have you had neuropsyc testing? I"m due for them again soon, and even if they show I"m worse than last time, I want to know. I do know I"m trying my hardest to keep my skills where they are , and I am sure you are too. Hugs ! -H
There is a free memory game called *Flip Out* online that I played alot, and I really feel like it not only helped my memory, but also increased my vocabulary of words I used, so the word finding improved, because it seemed like I opened up some area in my brain where words flowed out easier...I even caught myself using words that seemed new to me, yet they did make sense.....sounds strange maybe, but improvement for me shows up in different ways, and it's hard to predict. As long as I stay away from stress...that's a biggie.
I hope we can keep finding ways to compensate..somehow as we age! I just feel like I have to keep finding new brain exercises to unlock brain areas that aren't being used yet!
At least here you are among very good people that totally get it!!
Look up "Aphasia" It's a condition that I was diagnosed along with my TBI. I was unable to say what I was thinking, or find the right words.
I would say things like, "I.. want.. to go to.. the........ Eating Room!" It was a labored, slow, and frustrating sentence, but in my head it was "let's go to the kitchen". I knew what I said wasn't right, but I couldn't articulate it.
I have since gotten a lot better =) Doctors have explained to me that aphasia (atleast the kind I had) is not permanent. However, I do still have some trouble with words and doing math in my head. It's a whole lot better though.
Are you able to write down what you want to say with more success? I found that I could write what I was thinking on paper, however it still took much too long for me to think of the words for me to be happy with it.
Whether you have aphasia or not, I do find that being creative and working on issues does help. Every evening I played scrabble with my family, I did word searches during the day, and asked everyone not to give me the word I was looking for. I made it a rule for myself not to get hung up on not being able to find the right wording and to do my best. Whenever I figured it out though, I focused on feeling like I've really achieved something. It's all about repetition, consistently working hard (but knowing your limits), and being Positive =)
I hope this helps, at least to know that you are not alone. I hope that maybe you can even find improvements. Good luck!
I know I am much better at writing my thoughts down, unless I'm in a one on one situation. Years ago someone asked why I was so quiet in Bible study , and I didn't know how to answer her. I sat down later and was able to write a thoughtful letter about why I found it hard to speak. In fact I remember writing something to the effect of "I don't know why I can write you and explain, but can't find the words in person".
I am active in a few groups and don't have trouble talking , except for the occasional "unpark" word. As I have said , most people understand that I take time to get the right word sometimes. There is still occasional trouble with strangers; I have to just say I can't think of the word I want. I might receive a curious look from them, but that's the way it is.
I'm so glad we have this room to talk things over. I wish you all a non-blowy day, and hope you don't have trouble unparking your car! Hugs!