Hi Jaystar,

I know it's tough, but try not to give up hope.

I've been recovering from a mTBI for almost two years and I wasn't able to work at all for more than a year after the accident I was in. It's been almost two years, and I still couldn't imagine going to school right now - my brain is just not in a good enough place to be able to handle it - although I am working more than I was when I first started, I'm still not working full time.

The good news is that, even though I'm still living with the help of my boyfriend and family paying for my expenses and loaning me all sorts of cash to do so - I can finally see that someday I'll be able to support myself again.

And, if I continue to heal, that I'll be able to return to school.

Right now, I kind of think of this time as a "pause" button has been hit on my life and I'll get back on track someday if I'm lucky. But at my age, it's not the best time to have a "pause" button hit!

I don't know whether I'll need another degree or to change my career since the one I'm in is very demanding and stressful and I'm not sure that my brain will heal enough for me to be able to do it to a satisfactory level. About six months ago I told myself that I'd give myself another year and try to reassess what's going on.

I suggest you do the same. Don't jump to the conclusion that you're never going to be able to support yourself, or finish school - that probably only makes you feel bad. Try to focus on thoughts that make you less stressed out or actually feel good because that will help you to heal.

Just keep your goal of getting better in mind as much as possible.

I've gained weight too. It's not fun. I get sick of this process too. Just try to persevere as much as possible and after some time you can hopefully look back at this time and think, "Hey! I'm doing a lot better now that I was then!"

My therapist tried to tell me that after it had been ten months after the accident I was in and even though I knew I was doing better - it wasn't enough to make me feel better emotionally - now it's been enough time and even more improvements that I am able to recognize it and feel good about it. Just hang in there!