Does anyone else experience difficulty having long conversations (20min+)? I find that if they are emotionally related or having to do with important or stressful topics, I will become overstimulated rather easily. It really bothers me because these are usually therapists or family members that I am talking with and they are supposed to help.

I am tempted to stop engaging in conversations altogether but this just doesn't come natural to me. I've always been a conversationalist and prided myself on my ability to use the English language. I guess that's another skill that I have lost.

Anyone else struggle with this or have any advice? These conversations generally involve me explaining my situation for continuous amounts of time before getting a response. Perhaps it's the process of searching for the information in my brain and then processing it verbally which causes problems.

If you need to do an extended monologue to explain your situation/condition and you do this from memory, that is a big cognitive load. I suggest you write things down so you can follow your list in a less cognitively stressful way.

I struggle to understand why the therapist needs wait so long before responding. It would be helpful to break this conversation into smaller segments.

If the therapist responds and is long winded, tell the therapist to break the conversation into smaller points.

For me, my response will be "Hold on/slow down, I can only process one issue at a time."

I have lived with this limitation for more than 13 years. I need to take control and slow the pace and intensity of the conversation. Otherwise, the time is a total waste.

If there are multiple people talking and they tend to talk over each other, I need to either get them to speak one at a time or I need to walk away.

Many people are more focused on hearing themselves speak that truly being heard.

Learning skills to slow down and organize a conversation can be helpful, especially when the goal is understanding and improvement in your condition.

I get worn out by conversations lasting 10 minutes. My BP goes up, I have trouble breathing and I have to lay down after. SSOOOO, I guess I do have trouble.

In your case I'd make up some kind of card, explaining briefly that long convos wear you out. So if possible speak only to me and state what the heck you want.

Hi Danny,

I often have great difficulty with lengthy conversations. Yes, it's more taxing to me, too, if the content is emotional in nature, or stressful topics in general.

I, too, was a conversationalist and did a fair amount of public speaking. Carrying on conversations day and night was not a problem at all. However, now I often feel overwhelmed, irritable, sometimes almost dizzy and cannot end the conversation fast enough once symptoms start, including headaches. I lose track of the conversation at this point because my focus has turned to immediately "escaping" any further stress.

Yesterday, my sister wanted to meet for lunch. I told her I could meet her, yet the meeting place had to be a quiet place. I'd suggested she come to my home for lunch; she really wanted to go out. We knew some of the places to avoid, yet still entered 3 cafés and left due to the very high noise level. We had settled on a place with a moderate noise level. It was still too much noise!

I do not understand why these dining establishments have music turned up so loudly, many people have to shout across the table to one another. I watch other people and they have difficulties hearing one another. I am hearing it all -- and ready to drop or run.

I used to call friends and extended family on a regular basis, in order to stay in touch. I cannot do this very often since my injuries. I cannot listen and process the conversation for very long. If people don't respond to the limits I have to set on time, then I just cannot get into a conversation.

I found it most helpful to give family/friends an article or other literature which helped to explain my challenges. They then can read the information when they have time and can concentrate. I have also had to write letters, explaining my needs if I could not find information already written.

I am just getting back to writing a bit more coherently.
It's been over 2 years for me. I sometimes fear these are some permanent changes for me. I am not sure of what to expect at this point and I try to not think about it.

I hope you are having a good day, Danny.


DejaVu

DeJaVu,

What injuries are you talking about?

Yes, I find any conversation in noisy environments tiring. Makes me edgy and I have to get out. At least I'm able to socialise now so can't complain.

Hi Wiix,
I was assaulted in a city park and had sustained head injuries and whiplash.
The whole assault was focused upon on my head, from behind me.
2+ years ago now.

DejaVu

I almost always have a set of earplugs with me when out.
I buy them in bulk.
I keep them handy in the house, too, as sometimes it gets to be too much just hearing someone walk around on a floor above me.


DejaVu

P.S. Ear plugs and sunglasses are must haves.

Wiix,

This forum is focused on support for people who have suffered brain injuries and concussions with most experiencing Post Concussion Syndrome. It appears your primary focus on NT is RSD. Where-as you may experience some symptoms that overlap PCS as many other conditions do, most of us have a matrix of PCS symptoms with the psychological impacts that come with PCS. The progression and recovery process is usually unique to head injury.

Regarding conversations in public environments. I find I do best when I sit next to an exterior wall when in restaurants. A corner is even better. This reduces the directions where sound can come from.

OMG!! How awful for you. Did they catch him?

I've had some brain damage from a stroke I had about 5 years ago. My sight isn't what it used to be. I have trouble finding words and I am dizzy most of the time. So I understand.