Thanks Nick, for these words!!

Sarah, I know what you mean about people thinking you are exaggerating. I am slowly trying to learn that I cannot worry about what others are thinking...it uses too much valuable brainpower!!

But, it is easy to SAY that, and harder to DO that (me: problems with it still). I find myself avoiding social situations that I would jump to go to in the past. (I still force myself to go even if it's just for a tiny bit to keep interacting...)

I agree with what Mark said about educating those who you interact with on a regular basis with the technicalities of the situation; his words at the end were great! (I just can't figure out how to put two separate quotes in a post, or I would've quoted his too)

Nick's advice was great, too! It's been 6 months for me and I am still learning on how to deal with things, so all of your posts are helping me too!!

Good luck !! Keep us posted!

I too have trouble with talking I lose what I want to say forget common words and phrases and I start to stutter a bit. Phone calls? forget it! This morning trying to talk to hubby on the phone during his lunch break it was hard to tell him a simple story. I forgot words and my mind went blank. I ended the conversation to say the least. So frustrating.

Kelly

First i wanted to say "THANK YOU MARK" for your awesome explanation. I am printing it out so I can show friends/family members why i have so much difficulty and avoid social interactions.

This has been a pretty big issue for me as well.....I can relate! If more than one sound is happening at once, I struggle to saty focused/attention. If there are several conversations going on, it is madening.

I can't keep up with any one conversaation, and if I'm asked a question.....I end up struggling to organize a response and either forget what I wanted to say half way through it or stutter a bit if I'm feeling rushed or on the spot.

The "small talk" that used to come so easy and genuinly, is now something that requires constant effort and drains my energy.

Glad to hear how others are coping with this.

I find it near impossible to engage in small talk. My brain just does not have the ability to put together the more abstract sentences of small talk.

My brain does quite well with subjects that fit together like a jig saw puzzle. The facts fit into specific spaces. If someone is relating facts, I may need to ask them to repeat what they say so I can organize my thoughts so I can understand and fit the pieces together. Once I get the edges of the puzzle started, I can often follow the information much better.

It the talk is abstract or has too many descriptive terms, my brain gets lost.
If it is a conversation with random concepts/gossip/feelings, etc. I will struggle to put the pieces together and end up lost in space.

I often need to rehearse my first comment into the conversation before speaking up. It is like that corner piece that I can build off of.

It is tough and a reason many psychologists label people with PCS as schizoid, a term meaning: Of, relating to, or having a personality disorder marked by extreme shyness, flat affect, reclusiveness, discomfort with others, and an inability to form close relationships.

I think the schizoid characteristic is a defensive or protective mechanism.

You are not alone and I think most who have this injury expeirence what you do. Before my injury I was very articulate and now I feel like someone has stolen half my vocabulary at least. In conversations I struggle to find the words and frequently mix them up. It does often get me funny looks but I soldier on. I to feel frustrated at the memory issues, mine are short term but trying to do a complicated tasks with many steps is frustratingly time consuming. While I am new here and my injury is recent, 5 weeks ago. Reading these posts is carthetic and reaffirming it is in my head but it is very real. Find a good doctor and if you need it lawyer.
rmschaver

rmschaver,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. As you have commented, you are very early in your recovery. Have you had any luck with doctors? Very few are of any help.

I see you have the same dyslexic tendencies. Cathartic vs carthetic. I can't type without spell check or my comments would be gibberish.

Introduce yourself. There are lots of good people here.

Regarding doing multiple step tasks, this is a common struggle that most do best with by breaking such tasks into single processes. A written list of the steps may help. Trying to keep the following steps in mind can get in the way of completing the previous steps. The mind may get stuck bouncing back and forth between steps without completing any.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think this the most awful symptom for me. The sad part is that I WANT to be actively engaged. The other day, my friend came over, and I was so excited. I was even prepping myself for things I wanted to catch up on.

Then, when she got here, it was like I was stuck in a silent movie -- I could articulate well and felt awkward. Maybe i'm just getting in my head too much about it, but I want to try to be doing better, and the fact that this keeps happening makes me feel set back.

Mark, thanks for your advice.

I sometimes just don't bother participating in conversations. Its a lot of work to find the right words, at the right time... then if you fail to find them, its embarrassing and for some reason people think they are helping if they correct me or point out my mistakes.

So yeah, sometimes I just sit in silence. Isolating, but whatever.
Starr

I have the same issue. My family is understanding (most of the time) they talk slower to me (helps a lot!) And wait patiently for me to talk. When I get all mixed up and don't know what to say they don't laugh and they wait. It helps that my mom works in the neurological unit at kessler rehab she understands what a comcussion really is and even if its small how much it can mess you up. I've stopped hanging out with friends and don't do groups. If someone goes to talk to me with the tv or music on I tell them to wait, turn it off then devot all my attention to them if I dnt I don't understand them nd can't process it.

My boyfriend and I recently met one of our neighbors and went to their house the other night. Our neighbor asked me why I was so nervous I just laughed and said oh I'm not. I later asked my bf if I seemed nervous h said yeah you just stood away quietly didn't talk much. He's right! I didn't even really notice but I do pull my self away from people I don't talk much anymore especially around others because I don't make sense and sound dumb. Its just I have so much trouble speaking I don't want others to laugh or whatever. I keep quiet and to myself around people I don't know and no longer go around groups.

I was a very friendly talkative person who could make friend with eveyone. Now I'm quiet and content with the about 5 people in my life my family, boyfriend, and best friend who has also had a tbi.