Really well put.

I was talking to someone yesterday that my head was 'feeling a bit better' then I thought if I felt like I do now before the injury i'd be sat at a hospital in panic but I suppose you almost 'get used to it' . Sometimes I feel almost human and sometimes I feel like screaming . Amongst the many frustrations is that people can't 'see it' so you do wonder if 'they get it'

Isolation is a tough thing to deal with.

The way my life is, (by choice), I tend to be alone at home for at least 12 hours a day. Before my accident that was never a problem. I had lots to do to fill the time and really enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Since my accident, the days feel longer, I have a harder time doing stuff, so my day is not as busy. I really appreciate the peace and quiet now, I NEED it, but I enjoy it less than I used to.

But I sometimes think I would like to have someone around... until the weekend comes and my husband and daughter ARE around, then I can't wait until Monday morning when they head back to work. Its hard to have them around, even if they are trying to be quiet, they are often not quiet enough.

It sucks, but I do try to keep in mind that "this too shall pass" and it won't be like this forever and eventually I will enjoy their company AND my peace and quiet.
Starr

You bet. For example I took my daughter to the doctor a few days ago. They switched her medication for her back injury (not related to my concussion). It felt like I used all my brain power to follow what the doctor told us. Then we went to the pharmacy to pick up the medication...The clerk tried to help us by saying if we bought two months we would get the third month free (or something like that). I could not follow what she was saying at all. I am sure it was very simple but it was not what I was prepared for and could not understand at all.

My daughter asked if I was ok because my face was red. I was trying so hard to understand! I started to cry because I felt so bad that I couldn't figure it out.

I just got two month supply and got paperwork so my husband could figure it out when I got home. Luckily my daughter is 15 and was able to type in what the clerk said so she could tell me later.

Some days I feel like I am like I was before accident and then something like that happens and I realize that I am not well. The problem for me is that I "look" fine (no wheelchair, cane, limp, etc.) but am not healed mentally.

Yes. Absolutely. I ran into a metal beam sticking out from a building 2+ years ago and sometimes I wish I had a major accident instead. One that had physical injury to show perhaps because no one really understood apart from my daughter, then 9 years old. It is so difficult to be not affected when the slightest bit just floors me mentally.

Previously I was known as the female McGyver but now, trying to put ink toner into the printer can lead me to tears despite the fact that I have had the printer for the last 5 years and that I could do it with my eyes closed before. Now, the pictures showing how to change the toner looks like cave man drawings.

The one thing my daughter tells I have now is a sense of humour. Something that has helped me cope after all ... laughing sure beats crying. BUt that is just another coping mechanism.

Oh my gosh I can totally relate!!!! The most recent injury I had was during training, and the Commander said that I off all people should know how to fall properly. (made me mad because I can't help that the guy i was training with body-slammed me. How do you fall properly from that?!? sorry, I digress.)

So, yes! I found that at the beginning when they were all trying to get me out training again that i was wishing I had a huge cast on my leg, or in a wheelchair because that's what I feel mentally, but no one could see it. Who would ask a wheelchair bound person to train?

Anyway, what struck me from what you said was that your 9 year old understands more than anyone. My kids too! They are more compassionate and understand when I have done too much. Just playing a 5 minute game of kickball left me red-faced and dizzy yesterday...and my son (who is 10) noticed and said, mommy its okay, you need to rest. How sweet!

I too have developed more of a sense of humor, and I never thought of it as a coping mechanism until today, so thank you for that! It sure does beat crying.

I wish you luck. I feel the same way about my brain and cave-man drawings, lol.

I as well feel as you do, I have been having memory and concentration problems since my last head impact in August 2011. I feel stupid, sometimes even incapable of doing anything. I no longer go out with my friends because I can not follow half of what they say and can not stand the noise. I do not listen to music anymore because I get so flustered and when I watch tv its down so low noone else can hear it then they get mad and higher it up. I just sit there so miserable. I'd rather be alone in my room then anywhere else and I hate it. I have always been rather social but now I don't want to talk to or be around anyone. Yesterday I went to pick up my little sister from the school nurse and she handed me the form to sign my sister out and I was just looking at it I had to put her name in and I just drew a blank. Now I know my sisters name but when I was there with all the comotion of a typical hs I just drew a blank. I hope you find a way to work around it all and I wish you the best. Just know you are not alone. Many of us are going through this as well.