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Member
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: England
Posts: 302
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: England
Posts: 302
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For me part of getting over that 'final hurdle' was a gradual return to activity.
Having learned so much about the need for cognitive rest, I was very reluctant to stop resting even when I started to improve. But my neuropsychologist suggested I start trying things slowly, without pressure, and this worked really well.
Neuroscience suggests that there is a 'use it or lose it' aspect to neurological functioning, and that as well as being impaired by an injury, neurological function can be impaired by 'learned non-use' (think of it as being 'out of practice'). So I think it is important to challenge your brain and start to go back into cognitively challenging activities gradually and only in a way that does not worsen your symptoms - if your symptoms get worse, then you've done too much.
Basically, do what you can, and as you get better start to gradually do more. This will be good for your mood and stress/anxiety levels too.
I certainly feel that my recovery came in two main stages: a stage of as total a rest as I could manage given life circumstances (including no TV, reading etc) followed by a stage of deliberately but gradually challenging my brain to start functioning normally again. I believe that it was this second stage that got me over that final hurdle.
Be prepared that it does take quite a while for those last few symptoms to disappear though.
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mTBI March 2011, spent around a year recovering.
Since recovery I have achieved a Master's degree with distinction in Neurological Occupational Therapy
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