View Single Post
Old 08-31-2018, 12:25 PM
Laupala Laupala is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 214
8 yr Member
Laupala Laupala is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 214
8 yr Member
Default

Different, but still whole: A young scientist reflects on his journey back from a brain injury | Life | Dallas News

This is my story.

I haven't been on neurotalk in years, because I found it did more harm than good for me in fueling my anxiety. Even after years away I still had a pang of anxiety logging in.

Anyway, I'll be logging off forever after this, but I wanted to share my story, because I think it shows we can improve and rebuild a life.

You can get better too.
__________________
26 year-old PhD student in evolutionary biology, slipped on ice in Feb 2014 while clipping my fingernails and walking to save time (dumbest reason for PCS ever?). Initially just had headaches and didn't feel quite right, but a minor head bump 5 days later started a downward spiral of anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue. Had trouble concentrating on reading/looking at screens

April 2014 - did exertion test, passed, started exercising and doing more, but didn't feel much better.

May 2014 - Went on backpacking trip OK'd by doctor, trip itself went fine, but felt worse a few days after getting back, more difficulty concentrating, worse headaches.

June 2014 - Bumped head on ceiling walking slowly down stairs, no immediate symptoms, but caused worsening headahces, more difficulty concentrating and looking at screens. Have not felt as good as I did before this since this bump.

December 2014 - after feeling relatively better I went xc skiing and fell but didn't hit my head (something my psychologist who specializes in brain injuries told me he hoped would happen so I saw it was OK), felt worse

Feb 2015 - back in grad school, light teaching load and some research, nowhere close to operating at my full capacity. Still have constant headaches, difficulty reading/looking at screens, mild anxiety and depression, and just not feeling like my normal sharp self.

Trying, but struggling, to believe that I'll get back to my old self, or at least get close.
Laupala is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Lara (12-08-2020)