I am confused about seperating symptoms of ptsd and symptoms of tbi. When I was in my about 30 yrs old, I went to counseling for co -dependency issues. My therapist told me that I had symptoms of ptsd. We addressed both co-dependency, raised by an alcoholic and all that goes with that and ptsd as a result of childhood neglect/abuse and a victim of domestic violence.
At that time I had been out of the abusive situation and married to a non violent partner. Somewhat unconsciously, I had created a life that was very safe. Over the following years, it became evident to me that I had chosen a partner that had very little emotion (no anger) but it was also lacking emotional intimacy because everyone has emotions whether they show/share them or not. I was able to have a very stable and safe life that allowed me to heal and grow-at least I thought.
After 17 years of marraige we seperated. Of course this made life more stressful as a single mother and working and attending school. I can recall having some fear of unknown, of things being ok. I was certainly a bit over protective of my daughters-at least Im told by therapist and I mostly agree. I thought this was co-dependency (taking care of) issues.
Five years ago I had a fall. I was 47 years old I was exiting a supermarket and felt both feet going up and loosing control. As I write this-I can feel what I felt at the time (in slow motion, sense of out of control, nothing I can do to stop, sickening feelings, the loud sound/humming of a machine). I was unconscious for only a couple of minutes before I started coming to and people were over me. I tried to get up but could not. There was a sense or flashback???( of being in trouble the way a child feels, I need to get up and go home, almost panicked as Im going to be in big trouble with my mother). My mother had been dead for several years but as a child, I would be punished and ridiculed if I had any accidents which of course I had.
I had cat scan and xray and was told that I was ok. Over the next days, my sleep was messed up and pain increased. A week after accident, I was told that I had a broken rib and partially collapsed lung. A test indicated a blood clot and when the doctor told me this, I felt panic. After another test, they decided I did not have a blood clot in lung. Months later, I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder (daytime sleepiness) for which I have to take a stimulant. My memory, concentration, focus and the like were all impaired. I had neuropsychological tests that showed only mild impairment. Then why can't I work and learn as I had prior? The answer is that when you have a mild TBI, you can have a lot of affective symptoms (anxiety and depression) which interefere with memory, concentration, and focus.
My personality also changed. I had difficulty communicating as prior and felt great frustration. I became inpulsive and abused alcohol. I had poor decision making skills and allowed people in my life that brought about some further traumatization. I became extremely depressed and suicidal before things turned around and I began to recover.
While I am recovering, my therapist says I have ptsd from childhood. My mind goes in all different ways and it keeps me exhausted and is paralizing. I can not seperate what is ptsd and what is tbi. There are few articles that I have been able to find. I suspect that the fall was a traumatic event for me. Some research indicates that when a person is inconscious for a long period of time(6 or more hours) they are less inclined to develop ptsd because they are unaware. Those who were not unconscious or for only a short period are more inclined to be traumatized and develop ptsd.
I uncertain what I can hope for as far as improvement. Will I ever be able to concentrate and focus enough to work again. I don't know just how much ptsd effects concentration, focus, memory, learning new things, etc because mine are very effected.
I would appreciate any information or suggestions as far as helping me understand more about this co occuring condition.
At that time I had been out of the abusive situation and married to a non violent partner. Somewhat unconsciously, I had created a life that was very safe. Over the following years, it became evident to me that I had chosen a partner that had very little emotion (no anger) but it was also lacking emotional intimacy because everyone has emotions whether they show/share them or not. I was able to have a very stable and safe life that allowed me to heal and grow-at least I thought.
After 17 years of marraige we seperated. Of course this made life more stressful as a single mother and working and attending school. I can recall having some fear of unknown, of things being ok. I was certainly a bit over protective of my daughters-at least Im told by therapist and I mostly agree. I thought this was co-dependency (taking care of) issues.
Five years ago I had a fall. I was 47 years old I was exiting a supermarket and felt both feet going up and loosing control. As I write this-I can feel what I felt at the time (in slow motion, sense of out of control, nothing I can do to stop, sickening feelings, the loud sound/humming of a machine). I was unconscious for only a couple of minutes before I started coming to and people were over me. I tried to get up but could not. There was a sense or flashback???( of being in trouble the way a child feels, I need to get up and go home, almost panicked as Im going to be in big trouble with my mother). My mother had been dead for several years but as a child, I would be punished and ridiculed if I had any accidents which of course I had.
I had cat scan and xray and was told that I was ok. Over the next days, my sleep was messed up and pain increased. A week after accident, I was told that I had a broken rib and partially collapsed lung. A test indicated a blood clot and when the doctor told me this, I felt panic. After another test, they decided I did not have a blood clot in lung. Months later, I was diagnosed with a sleep disorder (daytime sleepiness) for which I have to take a stimulant. My memory, concentration, focus and the like were all impaired. I had neuropsychological tests that showed only mild impairment. Then why can't I work and learn as I had prior? The answer is that when you have a mild TBI, you can have a lot of affective symptoms (anxiety and depression) which interefere with memory, concentration, and focus.
My personality also changed. I had difficulty communicating as prior and felt great frustration. I became inpulsive and abused alcohol. I had poor decision making skills and allowed people in my life that brought about some further traumatization. I became extremely depressed and suicidal before things turned around and I began to recover.
While I am recovering, my therapist says I have ptsd from childhood. My mind goes in all different ways and it keeps me exhausted and is paralizing. I can not seperate what is ptsd and what is tbi. There are few articles that I have been able to find. I suspect that the fall was a traumatic event for me. Some research indicates that when a person is inconscious for a long period of time(6 or more hours) they are less inclined to develop ptsd because they are unaware. Those who were not unconscious or for only a short period are more inclined to be traumatized and develop ptsd.
I uncertain what I can hope for as far as improvement. Will I ever be able to concentrate and focus enough to work again. I don't know just how much ptsd effects concentration, focus, memory, learning new things, etc because mine are very effected.
I would appreciate any information or suggestions as far as helping me understand more about this co occuring condition.
