Can I Get My Brain Back?

[Notsowild]

I feel like I'm getting dumber with this disorder. I used to think I was fairly intelligent. I can't talk properly or even on here my words don't come out right. My memory's not as good. I'll forget how to spell certain words ( and that was one of my pet peeves - bad spelling), My T says it will get better with therapy. But I don't know. Maybe I lost it forever. Any thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 20280]

My speech suffered for about four months and I lost co-ordination of my legs. Started to stumble when I was walking.

A year on and I am what many refer to 'Normal' which is a word I abhor.

I would agree with your T that after the right amount of therapy sessions and more importantly the right form of Therapist, yes you can and will regain your faculties.

It really depends on the therapist getting the right therapy in place and patience by the sufferer. Akin to learning to walk again and starting with baby steps. Really like learning to walk before running.

Hope this helps.

Laurie

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I used to have a great memory and now I can't remember anything. I even misread your beginning line as "I feel like I'm getting bummer..." and had to go back to figure out what it said. I had no idea early on that these were all related to the PTSD, but it is helpful to know that. Patience is the key like everything else and like everything else, it's hard!

 

[Notsowild]

@laurie71 said
My speech suffered for about four months

I'm very shy so I've never been great at conversation. But now I forget simple words or my words come out jumbled. It's scary. So your speech is back to "normal"?(hate that word too)

 

[Notsowild]

I used to have a great memory and now I can't remember anything. I even misread your beginning line as "I feel like I'm getting bummer..." and had to go back to figure out what it said. I had no idea early on that these were all related to the PTSD, but it is helpful to know that. Patience is the key like everything else and like everything else, it's hard!

Lol" bummer"s good too. It is a bummer. How can there be so many abnormalities related to PTSD? Patience??? Sorry don't have any. I need to get back to at least semi normal quick. I'm trying to get back to work in 2-3 weeks. Need to have better brain function by then.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Apart from the occasional Tourette's outbursts when I am badly triggered yes that gut wrenching 'Normal' speech pattern.

I even went for a Job Interview and aced it apparently. Didn't get the job as apparently with 15 years experience and ten times the qualifications needed, I was not a) experienced enough and b) did not have the commensurate qualifications.

More like I was totally honest about my C-PTSD and even gave them my diagnosis letter and discharge from the Psychiatric report as I am just that 'Honest'.

Really set me back for a couple of days but I remembered my therapist and his calming voice. Didn't last more than a couple of days.

One thing I hate more than the word 'Normal' is being lied to about things like that.

But I am ok now so if I can be of any help please feel free to private conversation and I will help in any way I can.

:)

 

[Notsowild]

Thank you Laurie that is so sweet. I can understand about the job issue. I have a job but have been off on medical stress leave due to second trauma and abusive new manager. So now I am working with HR and my union doing accommodations. I am so scared I won't be able to do the job anymore.

Everyone says I should get another job. BUT... I'm not getting any younger. I applaud you on acing your interview even though you did not get the job. I was never good at them before let alone now with PTSD . Yikes that sounds tough. Do you have to tell possible employers about your PTSD ?

 

[Promicarus]

Meditation has been a Godsend to me. Helped more than any other 10 things combined. I found it impossible to access my mental resources when I had no peace and stillness in my mind..when I felt continuously "under the gun", so to speak. In meditation practice it's referred to as "Monkey Mind"...an uncontrolled mind that bounces around everywhere, and constantly. If you think about it, you couldn't really concentrate or think straight if you were in the middle of a battle and being shot at. And that's the way our brains are functioning after they've been "adrenalized" by this disorder (made more sensitive to adrenaline).

 

[Notsowild]

Thank you very much @Promicarus Very interesting! "Monkey brain"
So what kind of mediation do you do? Was it hard at first? I've been trying mindfulness but don't do it well. I want to try anything to get my brain functioning normally.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I don't have much patience either but am forced to work while forgetting so many words or what I was about to do. Sometimes it brings me to tears of frustration (luckily that happens more at home than at work). It's not exactly helpful but I can't change it at least not quickly. Perhaps patience is the wrong word, but I am not sure what the right one is...

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I have worked all my adult life either in Government Employment or Law Enforcement. I just believe for me that telling them what I have is the best. I certainly got it wrong that time.

I now feel that going back to the same career would have been a major bad move and am now happy to look at a different career path. I am only in my mid forties and It is never too late to learn a new Job.

I survived and fought back after years of abuse by numerous different abusers and I can survive and fight back now.

:hug:s

 

[franciemarnie]

When you are in fight or flight, your Neocortex brain goes dark so to speak. That's a fact. You cannot access your normal thought and language abilities then so know that your intelligence is still there - mighty and strong!! It's just got a blanket over it temporarily. It's a bummer though - I know. Try and make your body feel safe then.