Traumatic Brain Injury and Anger

Posted by Sundance(RB) @sundance6, Mar 11, 2023

I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury at the end of January. It was to the left front of my brain. I was in the hospital for a week. For part of the time, I couldn't remember my name or DOB. Slowly I worked through that speech and motor skills.
My anger comes in the fact that this was the second one I had experienced in the last ten years! They had nothing to do with each other! My issue is both times, both PCP and the specialist offered NO ADVICE AS TO WHAT I COULD EXPECT TO GO THROUGH RECOVERY! I guess luckly I knew somewhat to expect! Had I not i don't think I would have been here today!
The constant headaches, depth perceptions, the drastic mood changes. I am a very mellow person at 76, when I realized what was happening i told my friends I would talk to them at a later date because of the mood.
This is just a small portion of my anger!
My issue is they say here is a breakdown of what you will go through, what you will feel, how to take care of yourself when you feel a certain way!
Do they just not care? Or is there nothing puplished?
I have been a Mayo Connect member for a # of years with bout with Stage IV Colon Cancer 24 years abd then with my fight with Lyme Disease 4 years ago, still on going.
You all at Mayo Connect has helped me plus I have tried others, I have moved so I have not spent much time as I did before. I would appreciate Any guidance any one could give me!
Thanks, Sundance

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

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 11, 2023

Hi Sundance @sundance6, I know it has to be extremely difficult for you not knowing what to expect. I hope others with TBI experience can offer some suggestions from their experience. I did find some information that I really hope will be helpful for you.

--- Understanding TBI: Part 3 - The Recovery Process:
https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/understanding-tbi-part-3-recovery-process
--- Getting Better After a Mild TBI or Concussion:
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/concussion/getting-better.html

Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Mar 11, 2023

John, Thanks as Always! You have helped me through the years! Totally forgot about Mayo Connect! Must have been from the TBI! LOL! I have moved in the last year and a half and Live in an over 100 year 0ld orginal ranch house on the bottom of 200 acres next to the Animas River in NM, 10 miles from Durango, CO.
It's been a God Sent!
I appreciate any help anyone can give me.
Have a Great Weekend!
Sundance (RB)

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 11, 2023

@sundance6
Hi Sundance,
I wanted to introduce myself to you. My dad had a serious traumatic brain injury with a skull fracture. Doctors can't really predict what you will experience because the brain is very complex, and they don't know exactly what happened in your injury. What they do know is what they measure in the tests they do. Brain injuries take a long time to heal, and for my dad, although he improved, he was never the same for the rest of his life, but he didn't recognize there was anything different. He blamed others for what he didn't understand as if it was a conspiracy against him.

Anger, frustration and irritability are common after this type of injury, so good for you for recognizing this in yourself. It is just as important to forgive yourself for those feelings, and if you express anger toward someone else, you can apologize and explain it's because of your injury that you can be quick to get upset.

I think your friends will understand if you explain this to them, and you need them! They want you to get better and they can help you do that by talking with you. My dad had to relearn language skills, and I was helped him do that. Be kind with yourself.

Jennifer

clkurth | @clkurth | Mar 13, 2023

So sorry to hear of your TBI. Much of the medical community lacks a full understanding about this condition, especially at the ER. Get yourself to a reputable neurologist who can MRI your brain and assist you in your recovery. Sometimes an SSRI is useful to try, as can a trial of psychostimulant therapy. Let your Neurologist steer this. Seek out a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (check your local Brain Injury Alliance) as this will be most useful, as will a Cognitive Rehab Therapist. Each injury is different for each individual. Give yourself good compassion as you seek the appropriate therapies. Remember your body is designed to heal….Best of luck in your healing journey.

katy123 | @katy123 | Jun 27 9:43am

Join the crowd! I am 6 months past a "mild" concussion which evolved into post concussion stndro.e. I am also quite frustr
ated with the lack of information I was given. I kept asking if there was a scale to rate concussion severity. Kept being told it was "mild". Today i just started deep-diving in scientific articles and articles written my concussion clinics... and found out there are at least 3 systems for determining severity!!! Aurgh! So many things gs I was not told. Why didn't they tell me more than ...rest.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 27 4:46pm

In reply to @katy123 "Join the crowd! I am 6 months past a "mild" concussion which evolved into post concussion..." + (show)

@katy123 - unfortunate you've been frustrated by lack of information about your concussion. I could sense some of this also when you said "Aurgh!"

Here is information from Mayo Clinic about diagnostics for concussion:

- Concussion https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600

If I'm not mistaken, you seem to question if your concussion was indeed mild, katy123. Is this accurate? If so, are you planning to seek another opinion at this time?

kayabbott | @kayabbott | Jun 28 10:36am

@sundance6,I had a moderate TBI 32 years ago and in the hospital for 6 days; most of the damage to my left temporal and basal frontal lobes. Brains do rewire and heal but it is a frustratingly slow process of two steps forward and one step back. It is also emotionally very hard, as you have found, brakes are off on emotions until you have healed past that point. Part of this is that I was suddenly a different person and had to work my way back to who I was; most of my recovery took 1.5 years, but full recovery was about 8 years. It is important to have a good support network and doctors that answer questions. Playing games and hobbies that increase one's depth perception is good. It you are at risk of falling, then PT for balance is useful.

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