Traumatic Brain Injury: Come introduce yourself

Welcome to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people who know first-hand about living with a traumatic brain injury. Together we can learn from each other and share stories about challenges and triumphs, setbacks and the things that help.

Pull up a chair and connect. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience? Got a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.

Profile picture for margaretallen @margaretallen

I am 8 months out from a brain injury after falling down some stairs and hitting my head on the hardwood floor. I don't have too many symptoms but my mobility is not good I need to do some work on my balance I also suffer from terrible anxiety with anyone have any hints how I can get rid of this I do take meds but it's always every morning this anxiety hits and now I hear that you're always going to have something wrong with your brain when you have an injury very disheartening

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@margaretallen
I am two and a half years out from a traumatic brain injury. My anxiety comes and goes, but I have a headache every day. I thought this would get better but it hasn’t. Part of my problem is my age; I will be 80 this summer and that can’t help. Another part is the mess in my apartment. I have no family to help me and cannot afford to pay anyone. I am doing the best I can right now. I am saved by my dog, Daphne.

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Profile picture for brainhiccups0122 @brainhiccups0122

@margaretallen Have you tried wearing a compression shirt? Helps calm the nervous system. Helped me quite a bit in the first year or two. Compression blanket also helps. Anxiety has lessened greatly but took quite a while to go away. It’s been 3 -1/2 years since my injury.

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@brainhiccups0122
Thanks for this information. I used a compression shirt with my dog, but I never thought of doing it for myself!

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Profile picture for Dolly Jane @dollyjaneprenzel

@margaretallen
I am two and a half years out from a traumatic brain injury. My anxiety comes and goes, but I have a headache every day. I thought this would get better but it hasn’t. Part of my problem is my age; I will be 80 this summer and that can’t help. Another part is the mess in my apartment. I have no family to help me and cannot afford to pay anyone. I am doing the best I can right now. I am saved by my dog, Daphne.

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@dollyjaneprenzel that is tough especially being alone. Anxiety is a terrible thing but you're right it does come and go.

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Profile picture for margaretallen @margaretallen

@dollyjaneprenzel that is tough especially being alone. Anxiety is a terrible thing but you're right it does come and go.

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@margaretallen

Thanks so much for responding

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Hi. I was hit by a bicyclist in 2014 and have a mild TBI as a result. A couple of years later, I began to experience Anomic Aphasia. I can be in a conversation, or writing or just thinking to myself and there will be a word, a name, a phrase I want to use, but, it's just not there. Somewhere on the edge of my consciousness. It can be seconds, minutes or, rarely, hours later that it pops into my mind...usually too late.

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Melissa is my name surprise I can remember it still so far PCS it’s been since March 2026 and I feel crazy I have every known symptom yet I still feel like no one truly understands? Feel vulnerable and frustrated

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Profile picture for headrockingmomma @headrockingmomma

Melissa is my name surprise I can remember it still so far PCS it’s been since March 2026 and I feel crazy I have every known symptom yet I still feel like no one truly understands? Feel vulnerable and frustrated

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@head injury effects have remained with me (since 2003).
My thoughts?...
Each head injury produces different results.
No one will truly understand.
Me? Betterment in thinking, speaking and doing fluctuates. The process of these three activities have created a different self-picture. My role as husband, parent, friend, public speaker...etc, these all have changed. The map before me has suddenly changed. A bewilderment may often surface.
I remain angry that the ladder did not perform its promised duty. Down onto concrete I went. Throughout the living process I remind myself that my life is ahead not behind me.
My conclusion differs(?) from others.

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Profile picture for martinvandyk @martinvandyk

@head injury effects have remained with me (since 2003).
My thoughts?...
Each head injury produces different results.
No one will truly understand.
Me? Betterment in thinking, speaking and doing fluctuates. The process of these three activities have created a different self-picture. My role as husband, parent, friend, public speaker...etc, these all have changed. The map before me has suddenly changed. A bewilderment may often surface.
I remain angry that the ladder did not perform its promised duty. Down onto concrete I went. Throughout the living process I remind myself that my life is ahead not behind me.
My conclusion differs(?) from others.

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@martinvandyk
Thanks for taking the time to connect and comment Your thoughts I’m starting to realize what precious gifts “those” actually are!

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Profile picture for garyr443 @garyr443

Hi. I was hit by a bicyclist in 2014 and have a mild TBI as a result. A couple of years later, I began to experience Anomic Aphasia. I can be in a conversation, or writing or just thinking to myself and there will be a word, a name, a phrase I want to use, but, it's just not there. Somewhere on the edge of my consciousness. It can be seconds, minutes or, rarely, hours later that it pops into my mind...usually too late.

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@garyr443 get a big dictionary/thesarus learn every word. The phrases /words will become readily available.

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No need. I got a real education, during the fifties and sixties. I'm also a writer.

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