[JulieRN]

Is any experiencing or has anyone experienced sudden severe mood swings? I've been trying to determine what, if any, my triggers are and I have found several...too much activity around me; loud noise (the TV being too loud, music playing too loud, too many people talking at once)...having a headache and trying to interact with anyone...conversations I have with my boyfriend most often lead to an arguement, which is really weighing heavily upon me..
Yes, I'm still waiting on a Neuropsychology consult..so I'm trying to deal with this on my own after 14 months...my symptoms get better for a few days, sometimes as long as a week...then they come back full force. It seems with the season change (I live in New England and it's cooling off now), the headache is compounded by allergies. My best friend has tried to help me control my anger outbursts by telling me to step back and count to ten...believe me, I would IF I could...when the anger strikes, I feel like it completely overcomes me and the only thing I can do is lash out or hold it in and dissolve into tears. Any advice?? I'm so grateful for this group...you all have really helped me know that I'm not alone!!!

[crgravitt]

Oh boy - mood swings are definitely something I've had experience with since a car accident in Dec 2010. About 3 months afterwards I realized that I had been flying off the handle with little provocation and that it was getting worse. My neuropsychologist advised this is very normal - some have trouble coming back down from the rage they feel, while others (and I'm lucky I'm in this group) seem to recover themselves immediately. She described it as going from being mildly annoyed to enraged in 3 or 4 steps where it would have taken 10 steps pre-mTBI.

I've had a lot of fights with my husband because of it - I've tried to explain it to him and let him know that when he "pokes the bear" the best tactic is to walk away and drop it. It's his nature to not be able to let things go and this, along with my short fuse, makes for a poor combo.

I don't usually get upset over huge things - it tends to be small, stupid things. I particularly get upset when I'm asked the same thing over and over - it makes me doubt myself and just reinforces the issues I'm having and the deficits I feel. I tend to go into "fight or flight" mode because I get so overwhelmed. I just want to get away from what's stressing me.

What I'm learning with the neuropsych is how to handle the "noise" that distracts me and makes me feel overwhemed - this should also help me with the mood swings and short fuse. Hope this helps - while each of our situations is unique, there are many similarities in the symptoms and challenges we're dealing with - you're not alone so come back here when you need someone to empathize.

Best,
Crystal

[Mark in Idaho]

The short fuse, as crystal calls it, is common to PCS. I find that I need to avoid the triggers rather than try to deal with the triggers once they start to cause trouble.

Recognizing the triggers is the first step. Then, a request for someone to turn the TV or music down while you step away BEFORE you start to feel the pressure building is the best solution. It is no different than a blind person requesting the family to stop moving the furniture.

It is not unreasonable to make these requests. Family and true friends will understand the need to get on board with this issue. They need to understand it is not a personality choice. It is your brain jumping into fight or flight mode due to the over-stimulation.

It may take a few serious sit down conversations to get cooperation but the others will benefit from the support they give you.

Hope you find help. I know how much trouble the outbursts can be.

My best to you.

[freezerdoor]

I definitely have a short fuse when there is too much noise around...

[JulieRN]

Originally Posted by crgravitt

Oh boy - mood swings are definitely something I've had experience with since a car accident in Dec 2010. About 3 months afterwards I realized that I had been flying off the handle with little provocation and that it was getting worse. My neuropsychologist advised this is very normal - some have trouble coming back down from the rage they feel, while others (and I'm lucky I'm in this group) seem to recover themselves immediately. She described it as going from being mildly annoyed to enraged in 3 or 4 steps where it would have taken 10 steps pre-mTBI.

I've had a lot of fights with my husband because of it - I've tried to explain it to him and let him know that when he "pokes the bear" the best tactic is to walk away and drop it. It's his nature to not be able to let things go and this, along with my short fuse, makes for a poor combo.

I don't usually get upset over huge things - it tends to be small, stupid things. I particularly get upset when I'm asked the same thing over and over - it makes me doubt myself and just reinforces the issues I'm having and the deficits I feel. I tend to go into "fight or flight" mode because I get so overwhelmed. I just want to get away from what's stressing me.

What I'm learning with the neuropsych is how to handle the "noise" that distracts me and makes me feel overwhemed - this should also help me with the mood swings and short fuse. Hope this helps - while each of our situations is unique, there are many similarities in the symptoms and challenges we're dealing with - you're not alone so come back here when you need someone to empathize.

Best,
Crystal

Thanks you SO much Crystal
It's been very difficult for me to handle all of this on my own without any medical intervention at this point. STILL waiting for a Neuropsych consult because of the Worker's Comp. red tape
I've started to go in to a "time out" of sorts...whenever I am able. Sometimes I dig my heels in, which leaves me feeling ashamed. I really do appreciate your input, this site is all that I have right now and I am SO appreciative...I really hate having this low tolerance for things that I've previously had SO much tolerance for!!!

[JulieRN]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

The short fuse, as crystal calls it, is common to PCS. I find that I need to avoid the triggers rather than try to deal with the triggers once they start to cause trouble.

Recognizing the triggers is the first step. Then, a request for someone to turn the TV or music down while you step away BEFORE you start to feel the pressure building is the best solution. It is no different than a blind person requesting the family to stop moving the furniture.

It is not unreasonable to make these requests. Family and true friends will understand the need to get on board with this issue. They need to understand it is not a personality choice. It is your brain jumping into fight or flight mode due to the over-stimulation.

It may take a few serious sit down conversations to get cooperation but the others will benefit from the support they give you.

Hope you find help. I know how much trouble the outbursts can be.

My best to you.

Mark, thank you. SO MUCH!! I'm looking forward to receiving the help that I am so entitled too, once the red tape of Worker's Comp. has been cut. I really appreciate your support, it makes perfect sense.
One other thing I've noticed, MUCH too my dismay, is that I have started to mispell words. I wrote a check to the boy scouts for popcorn and spelled troop.."troup"...my nine year old corrected me...I've ALWAYS been SUCH a grammar nitpick!!! This experience is humbling, to say the least
It's great to be able to come to this site where the support is so comforting

[CodyM91]

I've noticed since my accident that my mood can change in a instant. It's usually anger when people won't stop asking me how I feel b/c I can't explain it and noise. I've started to deal with anxiety issues really bad as well. I really don't like to be around people when I'm dealing with a severe headache and if there's people I around I start to have an anxiety attack.

[jinsheen]

Hi Everyone,

Hit my head a couple weeks ago and definitely noticed the huge mood swings - and the anger trigger.

Any additional advice besides avoidance?

[Mark in Idaho]

jinshen,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have responded to a very old thread.

Please tell us more about your symptoms and injury so we can offer support.

What avoidance are you referring to ?

What have you been doing to give your brain a chance to try to heal ?