I did some Trancedental Meditation before my accident and concussion. When I try doing it now it feels much harder. It feels like the inner part of my brain has a shield that I can not penetrate when I meditate and Iīm unable to trancend. Does anyone else feel this? For the record itīs 9 months since my accident.

Hi and welcome to NT.

Any brain injury can alter the neuropathways in the brain. My suggestion would be to continue your practice and not worry about whether the experience is just like it was before.

I'm not sure what "unable to transcend" means exactly, but by continuing the practice you will begin to reestablish the neural pathways. Neuroscientists refer to this a plasticity. It may take some time before your practice returns to where it was, but if you allow the practice to just be what it is without comparison to where it was you should still see benefit.

I've never tried meditation, so I don't quite know what "transcend" means. However, I know for me that meditation is not something that would be beneficial, particularly during my bad days.

For me, activities in which my focus is solely on my own thought quickly lead to thought racing. My mind will grab onto a negative thought, I will focus on it, and the rumination train has left the station : ) Before the accident, this was never really an issue.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not surprised you're having difficulties, based on my own problems with thought control.

Hopefully this will straighten out for you in the near future! Mine issues with thought control have improved from the 1st year, but still remain annoyingly present.

Iīm not sure how to explain trancend, but when I meditate for a while (before my accident) I get a feeling where Iīm submersed in my own mind. It feels peacful in a way. This plasticity you are referring to, does this apply to anything? I have a hard time watching TV so I try to stay away or watch in short periods (it takes me 4-5 viewings to watch a movie), should I just force myself to watch even if itīs uncomfortable?

My meditationpractise focus on pushing any incoming thoughts aside. You are constantly clearing your mind for thoughts so itīs not really about focusing. Thatīs atleast my thought of it. I have never had any formal TM training so not sure if Iīm doing it hundred percent right, but it felt really beneficial for me before my accident. I do understand what you mean about thought racing. I guess thatīs my major difficulty now after my accident. However whenever I get conscious about any incoming thoughts I try to clear my mind and I get by somehow.

Neuroplasticity is a term that means the brain changes and adapts as a result of experience and stimuli. Neurons can and do form new connections throughout life. When the brain is injured, undamaged axons can grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links were injured or severed. For example, when I was in neuro-rehab early in my recovery, I couldn't solve the flashcard problem 7x4=?. After rehab that included speech and occupational therapy, on a neuropsychological assessment a few months later I was evaluated as "very superior" in the math portion of the WAIS-IV test.

If the TV is uncomfortable now don't watch it. Your brain needs quiet rest. I'm not a neuropsychologist but in my experience the meditation may be useful, even if it doesn't seem the same as it was before the injury.

Are you presenting other symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, or inability to concentrate (such as your TV watching)? If so are you getting any professional treatments? If cognitive issues are bothersome a visit to a neurologist or physiatrist that works with TBI patients may be in order. They may recommend occupational or speech therapy.

Tell us more about what's going on and the forum members will be in a better position to share their experience and help with your questions.

Best to you.

My main symptoms are:
Muscletension in the back and side of my head. I have them everyday from I get up in the morning til I go to bed. I also have some kind of cramp-like feeling in my brain when I focus too much on something (TV, computers, reading). It almost feels like an electric impuls that makes my brain contract and I feel a slight dizziness. I also feel fatigue if I do too much during a day.

Other symptoms
I experiance some problems at time finding the right word when I speak or write. I have absolutely no tolerance for alchohol anymore. One beer and I get tired and dizzy. When its dark outside I can sometimes see blue spots in my vision. It never occures in daytime.

I have had:
-CT of my head that showed nothing.
-X-ray on my neck that was fine
-EEG wich came out fine
-Physiotherapy which didnt do anything for me.
-Atlas/C1 correction which didnt do anything

I have seen a neurologist. He didnt really give me much answers but told me that probably some of my neuro connections had been cut of under my impact and needed time to heal. He also presecribed Nootropil (Piracetam), but adviced me to wait a little longer before I tried them, to see if I heal by myself.

I have never heard og "neuro-rehab" or "occupational and speech therapy" as you mention before, but I will check it out and see if itīs available where I live (Norway).

I have the exact same symptoms. Especially the electric impulse thing that makes you feel dizzy for a couple of seconds at a time.

As you observed alcohol use in any amount is not recommended during TBI recovery. Speech therapy is often helpful in resolving the aphasia you describe.