Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Dawn, I am 73 yr old woman. II listened to your pod cast and have experienced similar difficulties after a car accident in 2015. My life too, has not been the same since the accident where I had two brain bleeds most likely made worse by my taking a blood thinner after having an MI and stent placement five months before.
It took a long time to recover because I also broke my neck, six ribs and had compression fractures down my spine.
At first I had anxiety attacks daily which soon became PTSD. Being immobile in a turtle shell cast with a neck brace made my emotional reactivity worse. I had neurologists do cognitive testing and my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology where I had led a busy professional life was not so evident. I still have trouble with complex life tasks like filling out forms, figuring out the steps to take to finish a task and I refuse to read through insurance or tax documents because it is just overwhelming and I am likely to cry.
Loud noise, a room full of talking people and bright lights give me trouble and I am likely to get dizzy and light headed. Stage plays overwhelm and events like weddings, funerals are so hard to attend and I am exhausted after.
Seeing a car accident sends me into a high anxiety state and I am likely to cry uncontrollably. Sometimes something is mentioned that sends me into a flashback state of sobbing and shaking. Nights can be full of waking up with high anxiety.
Riding in a car is nerve wracking because I over react to situations. I get car sick now and am dizzy when driving or riding.
When going for a walk I sometimes lurch to the right or feel like I have a bobble head.
I have to write everything down or I forget. You know the routine. Yesterday, I left my purse in a shopping cart. Luckily for me an honest gentleman turned it in.
There is more but that is enough for now but I need to tell you my coping skills.
I walk daily and use a stationary bike daily. I listen to soft music and do visualization of happy, healthy, holy. Grateful, gracious and grounded.
I sing in a chorus, play the piano and flute and read. I could not finish a book at first but now I am able. I follow athletic events. Go to church and sing in the choir and have taken up water color painting. I get exhausted easily and must rest often.
Lakelifelady

Dawn, I am 73 yr old woman. II listened to your pod cast and have experienced similar difficulties after a car accident in 2015. My life too, has not been the same since the accident where I had two brain bleeds most likely made worse by my taking a blood thinner after having an MI and stent placement five months before.
It took a long time to recover because I also broke my neck, six ribs and had compression fractures down my spine.
At first I had anxiety attacks daily which soon became PTSD. Being immobile in a turtle shell cast with a neck brace made my emotional reactivity worse. I had neurologists do cognitive testing and my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology where I had led a busy professional life was not so evident. I still have trouble with complex life tasks like filling out forms, figuring out the steps to take to finish a task and I refuse to read through insurance or tax documents because it is just overwhelming and I am likely to cry.
Loud noise, a room full of talking people and bright lights give me trouble and I am likely to get dizzy and light headed. Stage plays overwhelm and events like weddings, funerals are so hard to attend and I am exhausted after.
Seeing a car accident sends me into a high anxiety state and I am likely to cry uncontrollably. Sometimes something is mentioned that sends me into a flashback state of sobbing and shaking. Nights can be full of waking up with high anxiety.
Riding in a car is nerve wracking because I over react to situations. I get car sick now and am dizzy when driving or riding.
When going for a walk I sometimes lurch to the right or feel like I have a bobble head.
I have to write everything down or I forget. You know the routine. Yesterday, I left my purse in a shopping cart. Luckily for me an honest gentleman turned it in.
There is more but that is enough for now but I need to tell you my coping skills.
I walk daily and use a stationary bike daily. I listen to soft music and do visualization of happy, healthy, holy. Grateful, gracious and grounded.
I sing in a chorus, play the piano and flute and read. I could not finish a book at first but now I am able. I follow athletic events. Go to church and sing in the choir and have taken up water color painting. I get exhausted easily and must rest often.
Lakelifelady

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Dawn, I am 73 yr old woman. II listened to your pod cast and have experienced similar difficulties after a car accident in 2015. My life too, has not been the same since the accident where I had two brain bleeds most likely made worse by my taking a blood thinner after having an MI and stent placement five months before.
It took a long time to recover because I also broke my neck, six ribs and had compression fractures down my spine.
At first I had anxiety attacks daily which soon became PTSD. Being immobile in a turtle shell cast with a neck brace made my emotional reactivity worse. I had neurologists do cognitive testing and my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology where I had led a busy professional life was not so evident. I still have trouble with complex life tasks like filling out forms, figuring out the steps to take to finish a task and I refuse to read through insurance or tax documents because it is just overwhelming and I am likely to cry.
Loud noise, a room full of talking people and bright lights give me trouble and I am likely to get dizzy and light headed. Stage plays overwhelm and events like weddings, funerals are so hard to attend and I am exhausted after.
Seeing a car accident sends me into a high anxiety state and I am likely to cry uncontrollably. Sometimes something is mentioned that sends me into a flashback state of sobbing and shaking. Nights can be full of waking up with high anxiety.
Riding in a car is nerve wracking because I over react to situations. I get car sick now and am dizzy when driving or riding.
When going for a walk I sometimes lurch to the right or feel like I have a bobble head.
I have to write everything down or I forget. You know the routine. Yesterday, I left my purse in a shopping cart. Luckily for me an honest gentleman turned it in.
There is more but that is enough for now but I need to tell you my coping skills.
I walk daily and use a stationary bike daily. I listen to soft music and do visualization of happy, healthy, holy. Grateful, gracious and grounded.
I sing in a chorus, play the piano and flute and read. I could not finish a book at first but now I am able. I follow athletic events. Go to church and sing in the choir and have taken up water color painting. I get exhausted easily and must rest often.
Lakelifelady

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Hi @dawnpereda, I have a brain injury also, and it's taken me years to come to terms with what happened to me and how to negotiate life when I'm not "me" anymore. Even worse is that I learned that I never even needed the brain surgery that caused the injury (basically, my home medical center misdiagnosed me and led me to having the surgery -- which I never, ever needed). Thankfully, the doctors at Mayo that tested me to figure out exactly what brain issues I have also took ample time afterward to ensure that I was okay and helped me figure out my path forward.

My symptoms: incredibly irritable for no reason, horrible memory, horrible attention issues, very easily overwhelmed, unable to prioritize (down to the level of not being able to organize my thoughts), inability to find the correct words to say (always on the tip of my tongue), transposing numbers in writing and in speech, inability to decode information (for example, while watching Jeopardy, I know that I know the answer and that the information is in my brain, and I know if a contestant answering is correct or incorrect, but I cannot retrieve and say the answer)... a definite change in who I was prior to April 20, 2009 (<-- the date of my surgery).

My injury is primarily in my right frontal lobe, so Mayo figured out that my executive functioning is impaired, which explains all of my issues. (Interestingly, it's not that my memory is bad, but my attention is compromised so much that things never get into my memory.)

I know that I will never be the same, but it can get better. Here's what I've done...

I see a psychologist who deals with medical stuff regularly. We talk about what happened, and I am slowly learning to forgive my doctors and learn to adjust to my new brain.

I also work with a neuropsychologist on something called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He is teaching me how to use other parts of my brain to take over the functions lost by the injured part of my brain.

For example, as of last June, I was unable to remember a simple, three-item grocery list five minutes after I had tried to remember it. Then I'd write the items on a sticky note and attach it to my wallet, and I'd even forget that I had the list with me at the store. But now, by using strategies my doctor taught me, I can remember 80% of a grocery list 30 days later.

He's also taught me simple tricks to help focus oxygen to my frontal lobes to help my thinking, refocus negative thoughts elsewhere, control and slow down emotions, etc. I no longer bite my family's heads off for no reason. I don't get as easily stressed out. I can now actually learn new things again. I kid you not... this stuff works!

I suggest finding a neuropsychologist who works with patients on CBT. It has helped me significantly, and honestly, I wish that they'd teach people those tricks starting in late childhood. I feel that the things I'm learning would benefit most people and help us all be able to manage our lives as a whole.

There is hope!