Cant keep myself away
 

I know computer usage can really effect TBI recovery but, i just cant seem to keep myself away. I mean i don't necessarily feel like im getting worse but, im not exactly sure that im getting any better. One thing that is for certain is, my anxiety has lightened up.

Now normally you would think "hey my symptoms aren't getting worse so, im not doing anything wrong" but after hearing about Nick's brain shutting down after playing video games all day with no symptoms, it really makes me wonder...

I have been an avid gamer for a good 10 years now, and if i wasn't on a game i was on the computer doing whatever. At first i'd come home from school and do whatever homework i had, then i would spend the rest of my evening on the computer or a video game.

Since i have been forced out of school, i literally have all the time in the world to screw around on a computer. I've been in a long distance relationship for the passed 8 months talking to my girlfriend everyday all day for these 8 months. I've become so accustomed to waking up and chatting with her every day that i cant just get up and walk away from it.

I feel that if i do completely cut my time from the computer till i heal (however long that takes) that our relationship just wont be the same, and im afraid of that because my relationship is better than its ever been.

I am still somewhat convinced that whats left of my symptoms, may just be from anxiety, so i continue with my all day every day computer usage.

On the other hand when im alone, SOMETIMES think that i might have a relapse of some sort and i'll be back to square one and possibly worsen my symptoms..

What should i do? =/

I guess part of the question would be, what are you doing on the computer? If you are doing activities that are graphics-intensive, sound-intensive, and require a lot of mental processing, that could definitely be harmful.

On the other hand, other activities might not be so damaging. And the social/emotional support is definitely an asset that shouldn't be overlooked.

How is your vision? Does reading make your symptoms flare?

PM,

Only you can determine if your computer time is causing you to push your brain too hard. Do you get glassy eyed? Do you start making more mistakes after a period of time on your computer?

To me, it sounds like you still have plenty of anxiety.

I wonder why you need to be on the computer so much to maintain your relationship with your girlfriend. If you are constantly in a texting relationship with her, you are causing yourself additional anxiety.

But, you have to be the judge.

My best to you.

I think it depends on your symptoms and what part of your brain was affected by the TBI. If you get headaches, dizziness or other symptoms consistent with overstimulation I would suggest backing off a bit.

My symptoms were cognitive deficits, poor short term memory, poor executive functioning and problems with recall. For me a couple hours on the computer was helpful, helping me by remembering passwords, through email making connections with past events, and other tasks that improve memory. I'm not a gamer so I didn't initiate activities likely to cause overstimulation. I also felt the need for more social interaction so email was helped.

If you are seeing a neuropsychologist, or speech or occupational therapist I would describe your computer usage to them to get their assessment. All brain injuries are different and what is helpful for someone may be detrimental to another.

Also, keep in mind that once you DO get better, you won't be able to sit around chatting with your girlfriend for hours and hours every day. You will be busy with school or work and other productive things. So maybe it could be helpful to gradually reduce the time you spend chatting with her and introduce other non-computer activities that are helpful for your brain?

Ums and Uhs (Speech)
 

Oops, I meant to post this somewhere else.

I really dont see any difference from using the computer all day from the time i wake up till the time i go to sleep. When i wake up i skype with my girlfriend which is a program that is used to talk to someone over a headset, like talking to someone over the phone. Only thing i really notice is i start getting a small headache which isnt bad at all.

When i was younger i had really bad headaches all the time, everyday i would come home with a headache. Eventually that got better (maybe had something to do with allergies, who knows) but my mother is the same way.

What i have noticed about my vision is, when i try focusing my eyes on a certain object, it doesnt focus on it. I can get it to focus for a second or two then its like my eyes push away like they're tired of staring at it lol.

What do you mean by glassy eyed? and how does it seem like i have plent of anxiety? o.O

I dont think my symptoms get worse as the day progresses...i honestly cant tell

Well, in any case, it sounds to me like you might benefit from some vision therapy (probably you might have needed it even before the concussion). You can find doctors who do can assess your vision and provide vision therapy at http://www.braininjuries.org or http://www.nora.cc

And, long periods of computer use and reading may be prolonging your symptoms if this is the case.