Has Anyone Encountered Brain Injury?

[jennifer0506]

My Complex PTSD, mainly, has occurred from my mother having a brain injury when i was 11. Although there were other things that happened to me, later, that have also had a strong effect on me..

I was wondering whether anyone else on the forum has experienced a close relative to have traumatic brain injury, as it's hard to go through something like this, and often I am going through it alone. I have never really met anyone else who was willing to share their story with me.. I have met others who have had brain injurys, but the difficulty with this is that, they are the ones brain damaged, and they are not in the same boat as me - being a fulltime carer for my mother, and having to experience the loss of her, even though she's still there. It's complicated, because ptsd is complicated enough, but the fact that was is such a huge factor into it is something so largely understood, it leaves me feeling more and more misunderstood. I think aswell, this is a reason as to why I find it hard to build a relationship with a counsellour as they do not really understand me. Brain injury is such a complicated thing, and really, only people who have encountered it close to them can understand it.

Therefore, i was wondering if anyone would be brave enough to tell me their story, if they have one? I know it's a long shot. It's just i often feel so alone, and misunderstood, when it comes to how far-fetched it seems to developing ptsd from a brain injury to my mother.

 

[helena]

*My SO has had a fractured skull and has a plate in his head (a souvenir from the Falklands war)

Following that he suffered more trauma to his head (Northern Ireland) and lost his ear.

He has had severe trauma and injury to his brain which has affected his balance and memory. He has been beaten up so badly so many times during drunken black outs that I am amazed he still has a functioning brain. It is only now that the link between ptsd and brain atrophy has been considered by us - previously, we (family, friends) thought his problems were due to the psychological trauma he witnessed as a soldier.

Physical brain damage seems to be regarded as a rare medical condition, but the more I read about the effects of stress on the brain I am beginning to question that premise.

My own mother had brain damage which resulted in alzheimers and I often wonder if it was the stress she was trying to cope with at the time which caused the atrophy - it is something that worries me a lot, not only because of the genetic links but also how easily it seems to be for stress to make us so sick.

Not sure if this relates to your question but hope this helps a little.

 

[clare]

My father suffered a number of strokes. The first two went undiagnosed and his behavior during this time was often frightening. If your PTSD is caused by your mother's behavior, inadvertant though it may be due to brain damage, it could very well be abusive and an unhealthy environment for you to be in constantly. Another aspect may involve guilt and grief. I've often felt guilty that I didn't help my father get to the hospital, eventhough I knew something was wrong. I feel guilty that I can't do more to help take care of him now. I'm angry that a major stroke was not prevented and has left him a non verbal shell of what he used to be. It's like a part of him died and I have to reconcile with the fact that he's not coming back.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

clare

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Jennifer -

I'm not sure that I have shared this anywhere else on this board - so thank you - for making me say it.

My son has a traumatic brain injury from an assault that happened roughly 1 1/2 years ago. In a nutshell - my daughter's ex-boyfriend beat him in the head with a baseball bat - 5 times. He fractured his skull, had swelling and bleeding on the brain. From the blood pooling during the swelling - he now has a hole in his brain.

I have seen numerous behavior differences in him since this happened. He's 18 yrs old - and while I realize that most 18 yr old boys/men have anger issues - he never had anything like he has now. He has a VERY short temper, he has issues with self-control and considering consequences to his actions. It has been verified by his neuro doc that this is from the section of the brain that was damaged. He's had one full blown seizure since the attack and several mini seizures. He has horrible migraine headaches now.

I realize that I am fortunate that he survived (trust me, numerous doctors made this comment - I get it) - but it his very difficult to deal with his anger and to remember that it is not truly directed at me. Especially since alot of my PTSD has to do with abuse and violence. I realize that his condition is no where as severe as your mother's - and I am so sorry for the condition that she is in.

I worry about what he will do with his life now, I worry that he can't seem to concentrate enough to pass school, I worry that he is going to seek revenge.

Brain injuries are tricky and hard to deal with.

You and your mother are in my prayers.

 

[jennifer0506]

helena; I have often thought about how stress and the brain are linked, and if possibly these two things could come hand in hand when it comes to too much stress, and brain damage. My grandmother developed alzheimers, and it was always unclear to why she developed it. However, she did abuse drugs (the legal kind), and was an alcoholic.. but even so. Perhaps this is a kind of stress on the brain, though alcohol is known to damage the brain. I do think that there may be a link between stress and brain damage, seeing as stress effects the body so strongly, and the chemicals released by the brain.. etc.

clare; Honestly that helps. To know that someone else understands watching someone, and being near someone, who is so obviously not really them anymore. It's a horrible thing, to realise how someones changed, of no fault of their own. Sometimes the feelings are all to jumbled up. It's difficult for me because, the person who has caused my ptsd (in a way.. (that sounds bad sorry)), i'm constantly confonted with her. It's so difficult to get away from, the feelings that are all jumbled up with my ptsd, the accident, and other things. It's hard not to blame.. I don't know. I can't really write it down!!! It's just too horrible.

sunnybrookfarm; Brain injuries are certainly... tricky. The brain is the most complex thing a human can come across really, and it's so easy to end up feeling so lost when no one can give you answers really. I'm glad that my post helped you, i really am. One thing i know is that it becomes easy to hide it all in, when you are so misunderstood. This obviously.. comes hand in hand with ptsd. My mother fractured her cheekbone, and also had a bleeding and swelling on the brain. She had to have surgery to remove the blood clot.. I believe she also had a broken skull, or rather.. I don't need to describe it, but her damage was external, causing internal, if that makes sense? Sorry. It's so so hard to spell out, so hard to just say. This, just this, is so difficlt that it makes me feel so sick, and sweaty. It takes a lot to write this. And i don't even know why i am, i just know i have to. I understand about the issues with anger, and self control. My mums issues are also incredibly severe, and at times shes lashed out at me, though her balance issues cause it so that she's never really hurt me. However, it's extremely distressing, to have someone you love lash out at you in such a way. Though, i know this first hand. But yes. I do understand, and yeah everyone tells you how lucky you are but who are they to say that.. I'm not saying we're not lucky they didn't die, but sometimes it's all just so complicated, so upsetting, all such a mess, you do wonder...

I can't believe i'm actually saying these things..

I guess that, i feel more understood, in the fact people have replied with simular stories, they will understand me better. Perhaps.

Thankyou for replying. I hope you can share your stories more with me.

 

[Pam]

If your son does not have a regular high school diploma yet, he may qualify for special ed services under the category of TBI (traumatic brain injury). That means that the school would have to attempt to meet his education needs till the school year he turns 21, or he earns a regular high school diploma, whichever happens first. Refer him for a special ed evaluation in writing to his school. You may even be able to force the issue with your son, even though he is 18, by determining that you are his legal conservator. I know of 18 year olds that decided to continue with school when told that they can do it voluntarily or you can do it another way.

 

[justme4]

Has anyone encountered brain injury

I know exactly what you are talking about for all of the same reasons. Brain injury is the worst thing that can happen to a family. After a person in the family has a brain injury I equate it to dancing the Tango in a mine field. The person that you knew is gone and now you have to deal with a whole new person. There are also ins. issues, seizures, and various psychoemotional issues to have to deal with. There are many good traumatic brain injury programs designed to keep the people in the home that can provide up to 60 hours a week of respite care. It is best to get a lawyer who is good with ss/disability to help you get through the process. When my husband and I started dating I warned him the my mother and I were a package deal and in order for us to have a life together he would need to understand. I jokes that he should have listened to my warning closer but then he tells me that meeting me is the best that has ever happened to him and that caring for my mother has taught him to be much more emphathetic to others with disabilities.

 

[Janna]

My Complex PTSD, mainly, has occurred from my mother having a brain injury when i was 11. Although there were other things that happened to me, later, that have also had a strong effect on me..

I was wondering whether anyone else on the forum has experienced a close relative to have traumatic brain injury, as it's hard to go through something like this, and often I am going through it alone. I have never really met anyone else who was willing to share their story with me.. I have met others who have had brain injurys, but the difficulty with this is that, they are the ones brain damaged, and they are not in the same boat as me - being a fulltime carer for my mother, and having to experience the loss of her, even though she's still there. It's complicated, because ptsd is complicated enough, but the fact that was is such a huge factor into it is something so largely understood, it leaves me feeling more and more misunderstood. I think aswell, this is a reason as to why I find it hard to build a relationship with a counsellour as they do not really understand me. Brain injury is such a complicated thing, and really, only people who have encountered it close to them can understand it.

Therefore, i was wondering if anyone would be brave enough to tell me their story, if they have one? I know it's a long shot. It's just i often feel so alone, and misunderstood, when it comes to how far-fetched it seems to developing ptsd from a brain injury to my mother.

Hi Jennifer,

My answer to your question is absolutely - I have encountered it (my father - I was 14) and I'm willing to share my story. It's awful, virtually impossible to articulate to anyone who doesn't understand what living with a TBI is like. AND I understand exactly what you mean about counselors, too. You are one of few, but not at all alone!