Personality changes with PCS
 

So I know that it is not unusual but I have had some major personality issues since my head injury. I am just curious if others have had the same experience and what you have done about it.

The main things I notice other than the daily symptoms are:

#1 I am very self absorbed I think of me first. And while people might not think this is completely horrible it is not like me at all.

#2 The major thing is my anger issues. I was always the type of person that when I got angry I would cry. Now I get mad so mad that I think that I could hurt someone. And it happens over stupid things.

I have been on a large variety of medications some of which has helped a little with the anger and others that do nothing. Does anyone have any suggestions.

The self-absorbed can be a protective mechanism of your PCS symptoms. It is not uncommon for PCS sufferers to exhibit schizoid personality traits (detaching from relationships with others). Others see these as self-absorbed behaviors. Those who understand the mind of PCS will think it may just be a withdrawing from others.

Your explosions with anger are very common. This is likely due to malfunctions in the adrenal gland. The medical term is adrenal cortical hyperfunction.

It is an over-expression of the fight or flight response system.

You may want to seek out a behavioral psychiatrist for help. He/she may be able to review your meds to help you, too.

Are you more irritable during different phases of the month? Your hormones can also be way out of balance. Again, not uncommon for PCS.

Many of us have had to quickly learn to turn and walk away without any explanation. You can always explain later, when you have regained your composure. Trying to excuse yourself or explain that you are about to explode usually just makes matters worse. Try to walk away.

Hope this helps. These are tough issues to deal with.

My best to you.

Kelley,

I can so relate to your post. Before my accident I cared about everyone first and me second. I went out of my way to help people. Now it seems I cant tolerate people like I used to. If I see a whining kid who is making a scene it cuts right into me. That too is unlike me. I used to work in Pediatrics and saw this numerous time a day.

My anger is scaring me and affecting my marriage. I'm just so full of it I dont know what to do.

My Nuero is in the process of psychiatric intervention because of the level of anxiety, depression and anger.

I am hoping in seeing someone they can help me deal with everything that is going on.

I wish they had recommended that when I was hurt instead of making me suffer for four months. I cant undo time. I will keep you updated on my progress. Please post your progress. We can all learn alot from each other.

I understand what you mean with affecting your marriage. My husband told me that it wouldn't be so bad but I go from me to very nasty with rage/anger in just seconds. He is trying to be understanding but I hate that both he and my kids (1 and 3) have to deal with it.

I have been seeing a psychiatrist and been on a variety of medication so I will tell you what seems to help me the most is the seroquel in addition to my other medication. It just stinks because the doses only work for so long and then I need to be increased. I miss my life without medication. I am thinking about going back to a psychologist but everything is just so expensive! Sometimes I feel like I just need to escape from my life. :)

I'm experiencing all that you have said in your posts - minus the spouse thing. I'm noticing it more and more and found ways to cope with it even though my coping mechanism has been lacking recently.

Whenever I feel that rage building up, I just stop. I shut up and don't say anything and take a timeout.

I have yet to visit a neuropsychologist because she hasn't returned my call for an appointment yet. I also told the person who assessed me briefly, a neurologist, that I would be against taking any medication as I'm very sensitive to it. Behaviour modification would be the way to go and "treatment" in my eyes would be staying.

Kelley-
I've always been pretty patient but can def tell a difference now. I don't get angry-I get enraged. I want to punch people in the throat and run their cars into a brick wall. It's getting better...I've now decided that I'll line the walls with pillows...

Totally with you on these symptoms.

The frustrating thing about the self-absorption is that I feel as if things would be better if I could shift my focus off my problems and onto something more worthy.

But if I don't focus on my problems I "sink" rather quickly. I find that a huge amount of self-absorption is required just to make it through each day without any major mishaps.

Both of these symptoms improve with time, though. (Don't you just hate that phrase - improve with time?!)