My doc says I have Drain Bamage
 

She said "we are all born with our given IQ's" mine was above average, after 5 concussions (they are cumulative) my IQ got bumped down 20-30 points. So I can not do what I used to do. I get confused easily. My executive skills have significantly diminished. Spatially, I have the hardest time, putting on gloves, looking at them trying to figure out which on goes on which hand, reading a map. I started an internship at a national park, I have the hardest time explaining to the regular employees that I give them what I can three days per week some days I can't make it 8 hours. My sister is having a baby, I am hosting her shower. Yesterday I went to get things for the shower, I bought things at a store. I forgot that I bought the items and went back to the store and didn't remember I bought them until I was at the register. I went home. Exhausted but I can't sit still, the more exhausted I get. I start losing my phone, repeating things, I have already done. I fall asleep at 1900 and wake up at 0300. I used to fight it, but decide to roll with it. My doc says I am relaxing more and getting more in tune with nature and it is ok as long as it isn't interfering with my life of going to the doctors and my internship which consists of hiking 1500 miles of trails and boundaries at the park-perfect job for me. In summary, I am now more comfortable working in the park maintenance department with my service dog than at the Pentagon being an Aide de Camp for a USMC General Officer, I don't pack that gear. I am petrified of public places; the metro, crowded stores, I am afraid of people I don't know, I have panic attacks in traffic jams. My world is so different than what it was, I am accepting it and starting to like the slower pace. I have been diagnosed with TBI, PTSD, and Cognitive Disorder. I am getting a Medical Discharge from the USMC because I am no longer world wide deployable, or fit to be a leader of Marines. This is the worst blow, I love serving. I feel like I am on par with my 70 year old mother mentally-forgetful, repeating things, lack of recall. I have a psychiatrist, psychologist, neuro feedback, yoga, exercise, and meditation.

That being said how do you deal with Drain Bamage?

When the drain is bamaged, I get my mords wixed up.

Learning the slower pace is good. Learning to Stop to think is good. If you can establish this slower pace on your job, it will make for a good job situation.

I had something else in mind to say by my mind went on a vacation. Now I have head ache.

My best to you.

Hope you are soon feeling much better.
 

Glad that you have your most-recent born darlin' Baby Grand nearby to enjoy, Papa Mark. ;)

Hoping that you are much better soon & headache relieved.

Sincerely,
Theta

Thanks Mark, you always get it. Thanks so much.

Hilary

Hilary,

I doubt your IQ has dropped 20 to 30 points. Your processing speed has likely dropped and your ability to multi-task has also likely dropped due to a serious decline in your digit span. Digit span is the number of concepts the brain can hold and process at the same time. It requires good working memory which is often damaged by a brain injury.

You likely have memory deficits and difficulty focusing. This can make it hard to use your intelligence. Once you learn some memory and focusing skills, hopefully you will rediscover some of your lost intelligence. The most valuable skill is learning to "Stop to think." This is a shutting off of external stimuli and even closing your eyes momentarily to help you think.

There are other skills and work-arounds that help in specific situations.

Just let us know of your specific struggles and we can help you.

My best to you.

One day at a time. I try to give back here as I feel others have given to me.

Semper Fi, thanks for your service to our country.