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.
While I've had quite a bit of improvement in a number of areas since my TBI happened, I still have glitches with writing.
My overall writing sounds fine - but I have what feels like a short circuit in my brain. I will think one thing, but I write other words than I intended. Some are words that sound the same but are spelled differently (i.e. they're, their, there) but others are just random words that will appear in my writing.
I was talking with a woman that I've met in an in-person support group, and she said it seems the writing is the last thing to get better.
So I am curious, how many of you have problems with writing? And, what are those problems like? And, how long are you post-TBI/ABI?
Also - do you have difficulty reading or have you found that you've changed your reading habits since your brain injury?
My overall writing sounds fine - but I have what feels like a short circuit in my brain. I will think one thing, but I write other words than I intended. Some are words that sound the same but are spelled differently (i.e. they're, their, there) but others are just random words that will appear in my writing.
I was talking with a woman that I've met in an in-person support group, and she said it seems the writing is the last thing to get better.
So I am curious, how many of you have problems with writing? And, what are those problems like? And, how long are you post-TBI/ABI?
Also - do you have difficulty reading or have you found that you've changed your reading habits since your brain injury?
I had some problems with spelling but it has improved a lot. The biggest one is reading. Yes, it has changed a great deal.
I used to get lost in books...can't or wouldn't put them down. Now...I can't pick them up. Once I do...they are easier to put down than I remember. I'm 3 years post TBI
As far as writing this has gotten better for me with time. What you describe, however, sounds a lot like my general word problems. What some call word salad. You think one thing and the brain replaces it with something else. I would say you have damaged part of the word or language center of your brain. which is VERY commom. Left side. What you are expeiriencing sounds like a classic form of language aphasia called fluent aphasia. I only know about this because I wanted to know what was wrong with me. It is very disconcerting. Aphasia, if you are unfamiliar, is the loss of ablity or impairment to the part of the brain commanding language. There is a huge spectrum of types. Most common in stroke and TBI. Fluent aphasia is where ones speach or language patterns seem normal, come across as fluently, but words are intergected improperly. And lots of the time, the affected is not even aware that what they are saying is incorrect. The language side of the brain is divided into multiple sections. SO it is possible that your somehow mostly affected in written word. but it is still language. So interesting, yes?
There is also expressive aphasia, thats when you blank, know what you want to say but cant for the life of you think of the word or phrase you need. MAN to I got that one!!
Some of aphasia can effect your ability to READ language as well too . . but i'm til trying to understand it all . . .
3 years out from my last major TBI, writing and reading comprehension were my best skills in college, but are no longer due to poor spelling, searching for words, and trying to find the right words to convey my true intent, Fortunately, on the internet, I have the time to hunt for my words (google if I have to kickstart my memory) and revise my text which covers the majority of my shorting comings in communication. For me, trying to converse on the fly is still quite a chore and often embarrasing.
As far as my reading, it has suffered to the point that I really only do audio books... not that I retain more, but listening is less confusing than trying to read.
Having said that, I've had three unique and different types of head injuries over the past 20 years; so I am definitely not a good gauge for anyone, but that's okay... I've always enjoyed being unique :)
I know it's extremely frustrating not to be able to do things as well as you could before, but hang in there, remain positive, and keep exercising your mind. Lastly, be careful to whom you listen to in the medical field. A "sorry you were right, I was wrong" from your physician is small consolation after a long period of misdiagnosis. Second/Third opinions & changing up rehabilitators is always good if you keep like your progress has stalled.
I've just sent a prayer & positive thoughts your way!
Used to read a lot. Seldom do past years, and cant remember what I have just read anyway mostly. Been no improvement, and second tbi didnt help in either area about 18 months ago. My signature has changed too slightly since second one. Anyone else had that happen?
Oh, yes, it was very scary, ONEIDHRN, when I first became aware of my writing problems. But, now, of course, I am used to it enough that it no longer shocks me.
I did also have speaking problems after the accident, which I think many people have. It was as if there were thoughts in my head but I couldn't get them out of my head through my mouth. And, additionally I did have my words out of order sometimes when I would speak. Same thing when I would write.
I had the double whammy of vision problems too, so I would see words and numbers scrambled in addition to writing and speaking mixed up. The vision problems were treated with vision therapy & I can now read words & numbers correctly.
But I find I mostly just enjoy reading short things these days - ie magazine articles & things on the web. I was an avid reader (mostly fiction - mystery) pre-TBI, but now I find it difficult to get through an entire book.
I can relate to what you are saying JOEYWAN, because I too have to revise what I write. I am working on trying to always check over what I write before sending it out. I still forget sometimes - especially with e-mail.
It's hard when you've been one way your whole life, and then suddenly you can't do what you've always done.
Aust and ljy26 - your comments about changes in signature and handwriting are very interesting. I studied handwriting analysis years ago as a hobby. Since personality changes often come with TBI/ABI, it doesn't surprise me that there would be a change in handwriting as well.