After years of denying my TBI (with helps from the system and negligent lawyers) I find that this explains so much more and better than I have been able to ... and I think it helps others allow for me, knowing TBI isn't a mental disorder! But how do you convey your basics of TBI issues to others? Such as:


Problems vary depending on the location and severity of the injury to the brain and may include the following:

* Trouble concentrating when there are distractions (e.g., carrying on a conversation in a noisy restaurant or working on a few tasks at once).
* Slower processing or "taking in" of new information. Longer messages may have to be "chunked," or broken down into smaller pieces. The person may have to repeat/rehearse messages to make sure he or she has processed the crucial information. Communication partners may have to slow down their rate of speech.
* Problems with recent memory. New learning can be difficult. Long-term memory for events and things that occurred before the injury, however, is generally unaffected (e.g., the person will remember names of friends and family).
* Executive functioning problems. The person may have trouble starting tasks and setting goals to complete them. Planning and organizing a task is an effort, and it is difficult to self-evaluate work. Individuals often seem disorganized and need the assistance of families and friends. They also may have difficulty solving problems, and they may react impulsively (without thinking first) to situations.

and

The person may have trouble with social communication, including:

* taking turns in conversation
* maintaining a topic of conversation
* using an appropriate tone of voice
* interpreting the subtleties of conversation (e.g., the difference between sarcasm and a serious statement)
* responding to facial expressions and body language
* keeping up with others in a fast-paced conversation

Can you list from your prior cut and paste list of symptoms, the ones that are most problematic for you.

It would also help if you added some personal context as to where and with whom you have these struggles.

The amount of intimacy you might want to share with others will change how you might want to explain these symptoms.

I have developed a number of explanations that helps others understand my symptoms and limitations. Each symptom/limitation has a unique explanation or metaphor.

For example. I have very little visual short or immediate term memory. I explain, "When I still tried to drive, I could stop at a stop sign with uncontrolled traffic coming from both left and right. I would look to the left for the oncoming traffic and notice where it was. I would then look to my right and notice the oncoming traffic coming from the right. But, I had already forgotten anything about the traffic coming from the left. "

I might add that at first I tried looking each way in quick succession but that only made me dizzy or more confused.

I have many more explanations depending on the circumstances.

hi
the effects of tbi varies from case to case apart from most of the above, people with a higher IQ pre injury tend to exhibit more sarcasm as there intellect tries to hold sway in an conversation also a lack of compassion or empathy, persons of a lesser IQ pre injury may tend towards sexual innuendos and or inappropriate behaviors. these behaviors are the most upsetting to other people and by far the most irritating and worrying effect of tbi

FYI

with helps from the system and negligent lawyers

a system that expects complete recovery, eg return to work and every thing in the garden is Rossie, but a world that only wants Results not problems .and down grades pay and status according to the market, lawyers who fail to claim for the long term effects of the above and settle for less, so there balance books reflect success , a system of care that pushes, victims of TBI, into this pit fall with well meaning intentions , to meet there target of the healed and working. but succeeding only passing the problem on to other agencies. EG mental health , the criminal justice system , and welfare

Ring true !!! name no names, but tell us your tale so other may avoid the pit fall,s

Well I was stunned.

It seems that you have described me - add in the sarcasm and it is just about perfect! Funny - I could not have sat down and written that about myself and you have it so right.

You have also described very well the New Zealand system - like 5 sessions of cognitive therapy and you will be back at work full time - AND I believed it at the time!

The other good one from the Psychological Assessment - many people would be happy to have your results - derrrrrrrrr I'm not and never would have been.

I won't carry on about the dangerously stupid people I have had to deal with as I become too emotional.

Lynlee

hi Lynlee not just NZ ACC system which I think was a good concept, that has gone airy , but I find myself in a similar state system , that is fixed and unyielding and expects! that a world class engineer would think himself , fortunate to work in a charity shop , not that the good people who work for such organizations , should feel down graded , but for me its just a twist of the knife and just would remind me of lost ability, not that I am vain, or lazy but to be put through that and to struggle in a simple situation , to just tick the box, of some case worker , who has no understanding of brain injury . HOW DO WE Explain a partial loss of self or cognitive function, that stop you being who you were ?????? I don't understand myself , but know that part of me is just plain missing , like a book shelf collapsed and someone put it back together . but forgot the top shelf and threw out the books, to look at it, its looks like a normal book shelf , unless you knew what books it contained, before it got smashed , and what order they were in . you see brains an,t organized A to Z or top to bottom

well perhaps you guys and gurls know what I am saying

sunny spring day to day. I am thankful I can still appreciate that

Thanks,again, Mark, for your helpful descriptions of experience, for example":
"I might add that at first I tried looking each way in quick succession but that only made me dizzy or more confused."
Thank you, thank you.

HOW DO WE Explain a partial loss of self or cognitive function, that stop you being who you were ?????? I don't understand myself , but know that part of me is just plain missing- to quote vini

I know that this is an older post, yet I just had to say: You said it very clearly, Gal, just what I've been trying to get-across to medical personnel, friends, etc.!