Opposite of Increased Anxiety
 

Which I guess is decreased anxiety?

I read all the time about everyone having increased anxiety and needing meds etc... has anyone experienced decreased anxiety following concussion?

I would not have said I was high stress before my fall, but since, anytime anything bad happens, I hardly care at all. Not as in, depressed not caring, more like oh well, crap happens, just do whatever needs doing, sort of way.

Like my new truck that I bought last fall, has 23000 km's on it and suddenly needed both front rotors replaced. Warranty on them is to 20000 km's so I am JUST outside that. Normally, I would be very upset and would fight the manufacturer on it, but no, I just took it to my regular mechanic and he's fixing it for me. Will cost like $600 total.

If nothing else, its certainly a personality change. My husband describes it as "eerie".

Though some things that never would've bothered me before get me so unreasonably angry that I end up screaming and kicking inanimate objects.

Its like everything is (almost) reversed.

Am I alone on this?
Starr

Still waiting to hear from the brain injury rehab clinic... but I had my ct scan last week (no results yet, but I don't expect any).

I've noticed something similar.

I think a part of it has to do with suffering from the severe fatigue that this concussion has made me deal with and understanding that I have to choose where to put my energy - I don't even have the energy to deal with more than half the situations that I could deal with before the accident I was in.

Sometimes I don't have the cognitive ability to deal with issues either like I could before the accident. But that's improved a great deal in the last year for me.

I think another part of it is that this injury has really put things into "perspective" for me. Like, that thing that would have bothered me before the accident aren't really a big deal after having to deal with such a horrible ordeal that the car accident I was in made me suffer through.

Personality changes, even extreme changes are not uncommon. This apathy or indifference may be just that.

I used to do the 'kick the inanimate object' response in anger. I destroyed a cooler chest. Boxes make a good target. They are cheap and don't make you feel like such an idiot. Busting up valuable thinks has longer term repercussions.

It takes a group effort to reduce these situations. People need to let you walk away from confrontation. The specific dynamics to your situation need to be kept in context. My success in this area has to do with my family dynamics.

I wish you success with this. I know how upsetting it can be.

My best to you.

You're right Mark they do! :) They make a very satisfying WHUMP noise and break easily without any loss to anything that matters. I also find it therapeutic to tape them back together for "next time". I've been using the same 3 boxes for 13 weeks now and they really hardly resemble boxes anymore. ;)

For me, I think the anger parts are because I have such a hard time expressing myself when really tired or upset. Kinda like a 2 year olds temper tantrum. Can't express it verbally, so out it comes physically.

Its been quite the learning process for my family, especially my husband. He used to follow me around and try to engage me when I was angry and that worked out poorly. Now I try to get something out that sounds like "box time" and off he goes, leaving me to get rid of my frustration. Its not a daily thing, but every couple weeks it seems to be box time.

Though this past weekend, with my parents visiting from out of town, there was a daily dose of box time. Luckily we have a good sized property, so I just took my boxes outside out of view of the house behind the machine shed.

And you might be right EsthersDoll, it might be fatigue that causes me to choose my battles. If it doesn't seem worth it, then shrug and off I go.... at least until I blow!

It seems the apathy / indifference happens more often than the anger, maybe that's a good sign?

I never would've guessed that falling on my head, would knock me on my behind!!
Starr