Hello:
About 1.5 years ago my boyfriend suffered a traumatic brain injury. Since that time we have been trying to work through it. However there is one problem that seems to confound even his neurologist. He has frequent episodes we call "blackouts". Usually these happen when he is under stress, but not always. He can fully function during them, however he will often have a very major headaches, and several hours later or when he comes out of it will not know what happened or what occurred during the time he was "out" for, and that memory of whatever event triggered it will never come back. The neurologist seems to think that they may be mini seizures that are happening only within the brain, however we have never been able to document one. Has anyone else out there had this happen??? Can you help us????

thanks!!!

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I wonder if our Traumatic Brain Injury forum might be able to help you?

Here is their link:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

I would also consult a psychologist who has experience with head injury and/or dissociative behaviors. Some PTSD counseling may help too.

MrsD is right. Get over to the TBI and concussion forum.

It sounds like a seizure like event. Since they do not manifest like any of the garden variety seizures, the neuro is in the dark.

I have had similar episodes. Sometimes, I am just confused while full functional from a motor control perspective. With me they manifest at two extremes. One is like an anxiety attack. Everything is just too chaotic and I can't focus on any of it. The other extreme is when I feel like a zombie and nothing is 'clicking.'

It will help for you to figure out how to recognize when they happen. He probably has a lost look in his eyes. Sometimes, my wife will notice me staring with a clenched jaw.

If you can recognize them, try to note what is happening just before. Maybe a noisy environment, maybe visual chaos, maybe bright or flashing lights or an emotional shock.

I can get triggered by fabric patterns, especially checkerboard patterns or patterns that have an optical illusion style (fade from one look to another)

Sometimes, fast motion will trigger a space-out, like riding in the car with a picket fence on the side of the road.

Hope this helps.

Come join us on the TBI/Concussion forum.