I totally feel you.
A year and half after my concussion I fell from bike coming back from school. and the bike fell right on my head. I was so depressed that day that when I got to my room I just cried for like two hours. listening to Chopin and playing chess helps me calm down. just do something that makes you forget about everything

Really sorry to hear that. Have you been able to continue with school so far? I also find Chopin to be great for relaxation, as well as the Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. I seem to have stabilized a bit since last week, but it's difficult given the stress added on by school and all the rest. It's hard just to find time for proper support and counseling, at the very least. I do find my professors and the school's access abilities department to be hugely supportive though. I have kept them informed of my situation since the beginning.

I am down, too. One year after. I am now "normal" but had been above average. So being normal is great but it's not me.

I lost all my friends. I have zero friends and have thrown myself into philosophy. It's all I can do. THey were used to being alone. Demosthenes shaved half his face to make SURE he would not go into public. Imagine that! So I am trying to want to be alone.

I had a good suportive friend, but then, when they heard me talk and that I am not "special" or like they thought brain damage was, they got all spooked because i still sound smart. They were such a support . It hurts so bad.

Hey, what do you mean by "now normal" but before "above average"? I totally understand the isolation though. I have been through years of it, feeling like I physically couldn't keep up with my friends anymore. The internet and audiobooks became my only outlet. Family were there at times, but it's not the same as having peers. It caused a seismic shift in my personality and sense of self because before I was *very* into both performance and sociality before. But one of the biggest changes I want to make is to find a way back into social connectedness

Still, don't think I would want to go as far as Demosthenes… wonder what his reasoning was.

Are you saying you think your friend drifted away because of the TBI? It's tricky. Even forging friendships with other people who have impairments is hard… on the one hand they are more understanding, but on the other, health gets in the way and it is difficult for each of you to meet regularly. Do you have any professional counsel?

Don't go getting nutty about being alone.

I have found life is long on acquaintances and very short on friends. When we expect friends from acquaintance level people there is always disappointment.

I think very few people understand how to make the personal sacrifices that friendship occasionally requires of us.

Someone will come along someday....there is someone out there for everyone.

Bud

True words man. For sure. Though even with acquaintances, like I do buy the line of science that says we evolved to be social beings. I think to have a space to be social on some level is important, and I do feel at a loss in this regard.

There's obviously good aspects to becoming more solitary, but you know what I mean. It's just nice to meet and share time with other people along common ground, shared interests, to engage in play and etc., even if it doesn't develop into something more than that.

I know this might sound corny, but....

I go to church and there are folks there to chat with, volunteer somewhere if your injuries allow such and this one is really corny but works...I try to give store attendants, gas station folks etc a warm smile and sincere "how is your day." It amazes me how folks can work all day assissting people and no one is polite or friendly, I have found it really makes someone's day to notice them helping you.

It is very easy to retreat into yourself with pcs, these are some ways I force myself into life.

Bud