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JD · 03-12-2010, 05:17 PM

After years of denying my TBI (with helps from the system and negligent lawyers) I find that this explains so much more and better than I have been able to ... and I think it helps others allow for me, knowing TBI isn't a mental disorder! But how do you convey your basics of TBI issues to others? Such as:

Problems vary depending on the location and severity of the injury to the brain and may include the following:

* Trouble concentrating when there are distractions (e.g., carrying on a conversation in a noisy restaurant or working on a few tasks at once).
* Slower processing or "taking in" of new information. Longer messages may have to be "chunked," or broken down into smaller pieces. The person may have to repeat/rehearse messages to make sure he or she has processed the crucial information. Communication partners may have to slow down their rate of speech.
* Problems with recent memory. New learning can be difficult. Long-term memory for events and things that occurred before the injury, however, is generally unaffected (e.g., the person will remember names of friends and family).
* Executive functioning problems. The person may have trouble starting tasks and setting goals to complete them. Planning and organizing a task is an effort, and it is difficult to self-evaluate work. Individuals often seem disorganized and need the assistance of families and friends. They also may have difficulty solving problems, and they may react impulsively (without thinking first) to situations.

and

The person may have trouble with social communication, including:

* taking turns in conversation
* maintaining a topic of conversation
* using an appropriate tone of voice
* interpreting the subtleties of conversation (e.g., the difference between sarcasm and a serious statement)
* responding to facial expressions and body language
* keeping up with others in a fast-paced conversation