Behavioral Cycles..13 months later Post concussive syndrome
 

I'm awaiting consult with a Neuropsychologist and want to just bounce a few things off of the group to see if anyone else can relate.
I'm noticing a definitive cycle with my "mood swings". Ironically, they typically seem to start with a headache and then I'm off and running. I become agitated, confrontative, very VERY sad, tearful...this lasts for a few days and then I can go for a few days feeling OK (never like "myself") and then it begins all over again. During this "episode", I'm intolerant of excessive noise, can NOT deal with too many people talking at once, concentration is at an all time low and I simply withdraw.
My family has tried to be supportive, but without intervention soon, I really feel like this is going to have devastating effects on everyone around me. :(
I live on the East Coast and as most of you know, just dealt with the Hurricane..the pressure changes absolutely had a detrimental effect on my head!!
How do others deal with these mood changes? My primary tried me on Celexa, but I became a zombie and that's not the life I choose to lead.
I feel really helpless...and very, very lonely....there has to be a solution!!

I completely understand. The minute my headaches come on, my mood changes...i become impulsive, agitated, angry and sometimes say things that i would not normally say. It has lead to numerous friends distancing themselves from me because i have become unpredictable and a debby downer to be around. Thats my biggest complaint....its lonely, very lonely. No one understands. And when you say something that offends someone or catches them offguard, you cant always say "im sorry my brain injury makes me do and say things that are not like me". I choose to spend more time alone because of this which further makes me feel isolated and even more alone. Im also on celexa, but thinking i need to up my dose because im only on 10mg. Hoping with time, it evens out, but who knows how long this behavioral and mood swing period will last. You do have all of us....your TBI and PCS family who understand. And although we dont know each other, its the support we give and receive that helps us keep trying to get through the day.

Julie--

I completely understand!! Previous to my accident, I dealt with minor anxiety issues every once in a while and some bouts with depression. Therefore at the time of the accident, I was on Effexor for that.

Since the accident, I still have anxiety, although it's ampped to a 9/10 most days where I used to have 2/10 most days and maybe an 8/10 day here or there. It's almost constant that I feel like I'm panicking... for this my doctor has upped the effexor AND had to add on ativan and klonopin.

Depression has also gotten way worse, but I don't know that that is organic, but rather that I feel so isolated and alone.

So even medicated, I feel like I ride the rollar coaster as well, 6 months post accident. And I become so agitated that I feel like I could hit something. DBF tries really hard to be understanding when I'm cycling, I snap at him, push him away and feel annoyed by him.... and I HATE THAT. He doesn't deserve it as he has been WONDERFUL through this whole experience. And he'll ask me what is wrong... and I honestly can't give an answer. He feels that if I am that agitated, I should have a reason... but I seriously can't pinpoint anything.

It's awful! That being said, celexa had the same effect on me. However, there are plenty of SSRI's out there and you should really keep trying to find something that works better for you. I did it and has taken me from feeling like this 24/7 to maybe once a day.

You are not alone!! ((hugs))

I can relate with everyone's comments. I am 10 months out and the emotional fallout is still so hard to deal with. The anxiety wears me out and I know it takes a toll on my loved ones. I am sorry you are going through this....your sharing it helps so many of us to not feel as alone and isolated.

Knowing that "we" are not alone really helps. I don't think people realize the isolation we experience...I can't say enough how lonely this whole experience is. I am SO anxious to get some kind of resolution. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. I want this to be a distant memory in the very worst of ways!!!

Thank you so much for sharing...and for the hug :)
The toll that this whole experience has taken on my family members just excacerbates my feelings of anxiety and depression. It's such a vicious cycle. Thank you for your support...I truly appreciate it :)

It's wonderful to be able to find a forum where we can all get the support that we are so deserving of :) I have more posting to do, but these days as summer winds down and the kids are preparing to go back to school, I find myself exhausted. That is frustrating to me. My energy level was doing great, I joined a gym, worked full time and was raising my family feeling fairly well. Then BAM! That's the part that is frustrating. That this process can just slap you down, so quickly out of nowhere. :(