Emotions after TBI?
 

I came on here after sustaining a concussion last month on 10/8. I was recently cleared after seeing five doctors, two of whom are concussion specialists last Friday on 11/8 to resume normal activities. Physically I am doing okay other than some residual tiredness.

Because of my concussion, my entire world has been turned upside down. I am a graduate student and was forced to withdraw this semester. My university refused to allow me to have incompletes or extensions in my required courses. I am a straight A student. The concussion was sustained in a required class, I ended up getting a full refund but not without a huge fight between me, the university, and getting my parents involved because my specialist did not want me to get more angry thus delaying my recovery.

I graduate now in July for what was supposed to be in April, I have to take four classes completely over and this will hurt my entrance into my career as I am in a graduate program to become a teacher. I can pretty much throw away my dreams of having my own classroom next year and relocating to a new city. Emotionally, I do not feel like myself at all. Due to all of these changes, I am really depressed. I tried to get out of the house last night to go to a concert and had to leave an hour into it because it was too stimulating; it was even a light concert that wasn't overcrowded or all that loud. I am feeling isolated from my friends and find myself lashing out at everyone and wanting to scream at the person who did this to me. I just feel as if no one understands or even is attempting to understand and that I should just get over it. I am literally stuck staring at the wall besides working out every single day. Is this normal to still feel emotionally distraught and what can I do to feel better. Sorry this is so long; I just am so lost.

I have brain fog/cloudiness all day, everyday, and it has been like this for months. Yes, this is obviously normal as your symptoms happen with me everyday. My self esteem has taken a huge hit as I am a lot 'stupider' than before and it is so challenging to find the correct words.

School and thinking
 

Oh boy, you are in early days for your brain injury healing. I hope you can delay your classes or find a way to take time off to really let your brain heal.

You probably don't want to hear this. I didn't want to hear it or believe it either when I got my concussion and PCS either, but I had to leave work and put full time into healing in order to give myself the best chance of recovering.

You are in the uncharted waters of brain healing and no one can tell you how long it will take, but it does take time, and there is nothing you can do to hurry it along. Being in school and thinking and trying to read won't let your brain heal.

Can you talk to your counseling department at your school to find out some options? Can your doctor or neurologist write something to let the school know about the limitations you have now and that you need brain healing?

I am just trying to give some ideas here.

I hope you find a way to get some peace and quiet in your life.

Sincerely,

pm

Exercise
 

OK I have this horrible way of not reading things fully -- my issues with PCS too. I just reread your post and read more fully.

I reread the part about trying to go to a concert -- right now that is way to much for your brain to handle too which you are finding out. If you can really brain rest, then eventually you will be able to do some of those fun things again. But it might be awhile. I am in month 9 and mostly recovered and have not yet gone to the movies. If I do go, I have to be prepared to leave.

As for exercise, be really careful here. Don't do anything that really pumps your brain and heart -- like you maybe used to do. That just aggravates your brain healing too. I can't tell you medically why, but I know it's true. Don't work out for now.

You can do some gentle things like walking (not power walking) and yoga that doesn't involve head snapping moves. Gentle exercise is good.

Read the stickie about vitamins and nutrition.

Basically, find ways to reduce the stress in your life. Meditation helps me. Learning to be really still and silent.

I know it's upsetting and there is a mourning process with all of this. But if you give yourself the months of low stress and gently learn to add back some stimulation, you can get better.

Let us know how you are and others will also weigh in.

Here's wishing you some peace!

pm

The thing is, physically I am okay. I no longer have the headaches, the vertigo, feeling "slow", or any other concussion symptoms. My specialist cleared me last week.I am released to do all normal activities including exercising, reading, school work, and teaching. Emotionally, I am just really distraught, but physically I am doing well.

Hang in there!
 

OK so glad you are cleared for exercise.

PCS has a lot in it. Yes, emotions and there is the range from feeling overwhelmed, anxious, angry....and impusivity (which I still have)

No one can tell you for sure how to get better other than you and your symptoms. Just learn to listen to your body and do what you can.

Here's wishing you all the best.

pm

runnergirl,

I think you need to slow down. The doctors are only clearing your physical condition. They have no idea about your ability to tolerate stress. You need to slowly build up your ability to function in more stimulating environments.

I suggest you focus on finding opportunities to tutor or work in small group settings. All of the voices in a classroom will be quite a strain.

Only you can know what is happening inside your head so only you can make informed decisions.

I understand your struggles and feeling of isolation. Been there, done that, doing that now after a recent relapse due to trauma and chaos.

My best to you..

I was cleared by doctors after three months passed since my concussion. What a mistake that was, after getting back into activities I had a very bad relapse, worse than it was originally, and it's almost a year now since the concussion and I'm still not back to normal.

Hi there,

Great advice above. You really cannot over do it even though some days you may feel just fine.

Your concussion was not long ago at all, emotions are all over the place, my concussion was almost 8 months ago and I'm still having problems.

Read the vitamins sticky, so invaluable.

Take it slow, I learned the hard way to do that, I went in to a suicidal depression, you've got to watch out for stress, trauma etc.

Good luck, look after yourself.:grouphug:

Gads, yes.

Mark and others have hit it. Rest, Slow it down, Rest more. Follow those links.

I'm 3+ years past injury and still with the fog, the Headaches, the meds; maybe due more to my age, but still...........

All in due time......... and time is what we have to deal with now......