post concussion - outlook on life
 

Hi

I had a significant concussion in end March this year - car accident. For 8 weeks or so I couldn't go to work - slow speech, slow cognitive function, no energy, lots of headaches - the usual . Now working part time and slowly getting back to full time. BUT - I have a job which i should love, but i can't get into it - couldn't care less in a way.
I am happy in all other ways - just reevaluating my work - thinking is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Have taken an interest in a whole new field of work - I am at a middle / senior management level where I am now and have studied hard to get to where i am now.

I guess - have others found post concussion you have reevaluated your life, or your likes have changed. I am not making any drastic career changes at the moment, but keeping an eye on how I am feeling. I am aware it could be part of recovery and maybe I will get my old drive / ambition in my field back - but at the moment I have a real desire to pursue a new career path ( along with returning to study)

hmmmm - sorry for the confused post - i guess I am getting better, but am not quite my old self.

looking forward to seeing how the rest of the group is managing and if you have changed as a result of your concussion.

thanks
Chloe

Chloe,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

PCS can cause a change in personality. This can impact career issues. One part of the change in personality can be flat affect where it can be difficult to sense pleasure or fulfillment.

Before making a change, you might seek some professional help. An occupational psychologist or neuropsychologist may be helpful.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark

I am seeing a neuropsychologist - I will discuss this with him. This is the only area in my life where I am feeling flat. Maybe I am not coping with the return to work as well as it appears? Flat is a good way of describing it - my excitement has gone re my work. It is a challenging high pressure job and I just am not into it?

Others experiences are helpful - does my old self come back in this regard? I know that everone is different - but it is valuable to hear what others in the same situation are feeling/going through.

Chloe,

Join the club...I loved my work prior to my injury.

Some days I don't even care if the door never opened again at my own business. Highly atypical of me. I am pretty sure it is depression speaking at times.

Bud

A change in direction
 

Pre tbi I worked in air traffic control. With the memory issues, visual issue and word finding difficulty there was no way I could go back to this job. I had a medical and my licence was revoked. I was retired.i also lost my driving licence.
When I was deemed ready to go back to work I did an hour a day at a primary school breakfast club. It wiped me out to start with.
When a position came up for primary school asst the head asked me to apply.
I got the job and did a gradual increase in hours over 2 years till I was working 25 hours.
I've been there 3 years, I love it! I get regular holidays and its a structured day with breaks.
I would never have seen myself working with children ever.
The best thing that ever happened to me was being given an opportunity to see how I wouls manage and it was a paid job.
If you find yourself in a position where you feel nothing is working out, maybe consider a change of direction.

Blairzo,

In Dont know how you atc folk do it. It gets confusing in busy airspace just directing your own plane much less the responsibility of a bunch of us.

I Have a crop dusting business and haven't flown since 3/27/14...I hope I miss it again someday.

I jumped on a swing yesterday with a granddaughter and had a surprising dizzy reaction...had to get off. I did not expect that.

Glad you found a new lease on life.

Bud

I have found that I can't do swings slides roundabouts fairground rides etc etc
I struggle walking on cobble stones or patterned floors too. Large crowds of people in shopping centres make me feel sea sick!
It's soooo annoying but I'll kepp trying things out!

Blairzo,

Interesting...I just never realized what all the head did....sort of thought that beyond thinking all the other stuff just magically happened. What a rude awakening to the heads silently busy world!

Bud