EsthersDoll- great suggestion. I've thought about this but the relationship is still fairly new and I don't want to pry or make him feel uncomfortable. However, at this point, it may be necessary. You bring up another excellent point: do TBI survivors realize that some behaviors are not normal, and just cannot control it, or do they believe the behavior is normal?

I think there can be some of both. The brain injury can damage self-awareness, so sometimes we don't realize that we are doing something unusual. I know that now, looking back on my first few months of injury, there are definitely things I was thinking and doing that I NOW would label as brain injury problems that I was not able to see clearly at that time.

I think it's also possible for us to be aware of some things but not able to control them. The word finding issue is definitely one of these for me. I know it's not normal, but I'll be darned if I can find the word! Sensory overload and emotional lability are two other ones that I really struggle with in this area, too. I know it's not like me to have such strong reactions or get overwhelmed so easily, but I don't have control over that at this time.

Everyone's injury and its effects are going to be different.

Personally, I was aware that I had a lot of cognitive issues immediately after the accident I was in, but I wasn't able to realize how bad they really were, or even the details of them, until I was well into the recovery stage.

But I imagine that some people might not have that kind of self awareness before their injuries or that it might become permanently damaged after a brain injury.