08whitea,
Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles. Sounds like you are fortunate to be as recovered as your are. Your brain took quite a hit.
<The problems I face today are hard to understand, and family members outside of my parents just say, "Oh he's just being Alex." but they are not around me as much as my mom is. Dad, well let's just say he brought things to attention a day ago. If he notices something irregular, it has to be a problem.>
Even at 7 years post-injury, it is not uncommon for some of the roller coaster rides to continue. There are many factors that can cause this. The various stressors in your life and changes in eating habits, etc. can all trigger ups and downs. If you have not already noticed, many of us had good results with nutritional supplement regimens. The injured brain has special needs. A brain healthy diet limits caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, high sugar content foods, especially high fructose corn sweetener, processed soy and a few other things I cannot remember.
Adding vitamin B-12, a B-50 or B-100 complex, D, E, folic acid, Omega 3's, and all of the anti-oxidants and mineral will help the brain cleanse itself of the build-up of toxins. They will also help it strengthen its ability to function properly.
< He's noticed to that I have a hard time focusing attention. Going to college I suffered greatly from it. Sometimes my parents will tell me to do something, and almost instantly I lose track of what I was doing. >
This is very common. Poor short and immediate term memory and becoming easily distracted are common symptoms of PCS.
<My sleep schedules are always sporadic, always waking up at roughly the same time. I could fall asleep, no matter how late I stay up, and still wake in the 6:00-7:00 time range. I've even went to sleep at 4:00 and woke up around 6:00. It's like my head has wired me to wake up at the times I used to for school back in those days.>
This is also a common struggle. An important issue to resolve is whether you are breathing properly when you sleep. Nightmares and stressful dreams are indications of poor sleep.
< No matter how long I sleep, I still feel fatigued throughout the day. >
This fatigue is usually a result of the quality of sleep you had more than the quantity of sleep.
<I've constantly battled depression through the years too.>
Depression is also a common symptoms. have you discussed your depression with a doctor, either a neurologist or psychiatrist?
<I am finding myself almost completely unable to multitask anything. >
Multi-tasking is also a common struggle. You can live a successful life without multi-tasking. It is very fatiguing to the brain, even a healthy brain. It is important to learn some skills at breaking multi-step tasks into single steps. Sometimes, a note pad to list the steps so you can cross them off after finishing each step will work. You need to plan at failing in multi-tasking so you can realistically work out a different way to accomplish these activities.
<I have terrible mood swings that can snap me into an anger rage within seconds. I have drastic mood swings often.>
This is also a common struggle. Many of us have to learn to step away from situations that can cause these outbursts. This is an area where being rude is better than getting mad. At the first sign of an impending outburst, turn and walk away. Explain yourself later. You will need the help of friends and family with this. They need to understand that outbursts are you injury talking, not your normal self.
< I am sensitive to and easily irritated by loud noises.>
Many of us are, even after long recovery periods. We learn to avoid these loud situations. i carry foam ear plus when I am in public places where noise can be a problem. I do not go to the mall except during low traffic times. No mall Christmas shopping trips. Auditoriums are also very difficult. The sounds can be over-powering and have too many echos.
Again, learning to avoid or remove yourself from these environments is best.
<It doesn't help much either that I am completely socially backward and have a distaste for people in general. >
People skills and tolerance for others can decline because the brain loses its ability to understand social cues. Friends and family can help you in this area by understanding that your brain just does not "get it" in social settings. It is possible to learn new social behaviors.
<I can't find a job, well, not since I was in high school, and even then it was hard for me to focus and learn the routine of the job. >
It would probably help if you could get some work experience in quieter environments. Jobs that focus on manual tasks can be helpful. The hands can't operate any faster than an injured brain.
<Pair that with a rush hour of customers and my anxieties shot through the roof. I'm worried these issues might cause problems in the work place, and are worrying me that they are even keeping me from getting a job. >
Jobs with high stress periods need to be avoided. Do you have access to a vocational rehabilitation program where you live? many states have them.
<Everyone has always told me these are normal things. I used to believe so before. Now, I'm not so sure.>
They are correct.
There is a very good resource to help you understand your condition. Go to
www.tbiguide.com and download and print out the TBI Survival Guide. In fact, print out two copies (84 pages) and give a copy to your parents. Read it and highlight the parts that pertain to you.
There are lots of work-arounds and accommodation skills many of us use to live our lives. tell us about your specific situations and struggles and we can offer suggestions for dealing with them. There are plenty of knowledgeable people here.
It will help if you can find and join a Brain Injury Support Group. Tell us where you live and we can suggest was to find a support group. many support groups have groups to help caregivers and family understand the injured person. The support from these groups can be life-changing.
Hang in there. You can learn how to live a full life.
My best to you.