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Old 11-14-2009, 07:55 PM
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
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Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,418
15 yr Member
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No, I have not noticed any aggression. I tend to over-react before the testosterone so I would expect to need to maintain the same levels of efforts to avoid aggression triggers.

I found to really helped to have someone else observe my behavior so that I could have assistance in getting reigned in. After a while of accepting my wife's observations and help, I became more apt to notice when my trigger was being pulled. Now, I am more in tune to exit the situation before an outburst.

I carry a slip of paper in my wallet for the time when I must negotiate a probable trigger. The noise and shouting at the TSA checkpoint at the airport can be a trigger.

My wallet note says,
Please be patient. I suffer from a brain injury that causes me to over-react when confronted with shouting or someone barking orders. I respond by getting loud. Any assistance to help limit excessive auditory stimulation is helpful.

I have learned that it is best to hand this note to the person. That way, they will actually read it. If I show it to them, they do not read completely.

I have been denied boarding once and almost denied two other times. An overly aggressive TSA agent got a bit too aggressive and 'personal' with a body pat down and my negative response got me denied boarding. Now, I refuse body pat downs. Instead I offer to go behind the privacy screen and disrobe and let them check my pants and shirt.

This almost got me denied boarding until a police officer decided to take me up on my offer. He took me behind the privacy screen and everything checked out OK. He has to overrule the TSA agent who still wanted to deny me boarding. My composure behind the privacy screen convinced him of my cooperation.

Another time, I was being shouted at by two different TSA agents at the same time. I responded loudly, "What do you want." The cop that showed up got very belligerent until I quietly said, "If you are trying to calm things down, you might try lowering your voice."

I am hoping to discuss these issues with a police chief who is concerned about his officers over-reacting to the many local veterans who have suffered brain injuries in Iraq. One vet almost got shot by over-reacting cops. Only his well honed skills at avoiding fire saved his life.

Maybe this should be a specific thread. I know of too many PCS/mTBI's who have had difficulties with police.

The common problem as I understand it is called "adrenal cortical hyperfunction." It is common to PCS/mTBI. We kick into 'fight or flight' very easily.

This same police interaction/over-reaction got too many PCS/mTBI's and vets killed in San Jose, where I used to live.
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Mark in Idaho

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"Thanks for this!" says:
Hockey (11-15-2009)