Sufferer Ptsd From A Traumatic Brain Injury

[MountainBike]

Hello everyone, I am new on here and am still figuring out how everything works. (Sorry if this first post doesn't really fit into the rest of the format around here.) I really am on here to learn ways that I can self help myself in trying to overcome my PTSD, and hear from others on what helps them through their difficult times. A little over a year ago I received a severe concussion, which kept me in bed for over a month, and have been feeling like a completely different person since. I suffer through nightmares often that are repeats of the incident, where I feel physical pain until I am completely awoken. I've been really having a difficult time in understanding what exactly is happening, and why I haven't been able to overcome my issue. I've been feeling further away from my friends and family recently, and also have not had the energy to go and do activities I enjoy.

All in all, I just came onto this sight to speak with people who understand what I'm going through a little and for tips on how to cope with it. Maybe even gain a few friends to support me through this challenge.

Nice to meet you all :)

 

[TimeToHeal]

Hi @MountainBike and welcome to the forum!

I actually have a history of a TBI also. It is not the cause of my PTSD however. But I can relate to feeling like a different person. Thought processes area little different, it's sometimes difficult to find the right words, things can be hard to remember....yeah, I get it.

Are you seeing a therapist? A psychiatrist? It sounds, from the things you describe, that you may be depressed. Which is quite understandable.

I hope you find the support I have found here! :)

 

[MountainBike]

Hey @TimeToHeal it's nice to meet you!

I am not currently seeing a therapist or psychiatrist, though I am in a small support group for depression and anxiety through my school. I've really had a hard time talking to my parents about the issue, and don't believe my mother would approve of me seeing an actual therapist, so that's why I've held back from the topic a little.

Thank you, I hope so too. :)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi and welcome! I don't have a TBI myself, but I know there are other members who have both PTSD and TBI. My thoughts and prayers go out to you as I know that dealing with a brain injury isn't much fun! I had a concussion last fall and even thought it was minor in comparison, I'm still feeling effects 6 months later.

 

[Em C.]

I've had three concussions in like the last year and a half plus PTSD (though it didn't cause it) so I do know what you're going through!

I don't know if this helps but here's how I've found they overlap. Again not a doctor but I do have experience! :)

which kept me in bed for over a month, and have been feeling like a completely different person since. I suffer through nightmares often that are repeats of the incident, where I feel physical pain until I am completely awoken

I don't suffer nightmares of the event specifically but I do get nightmares of slightly altered experiences. The pain is somatic (which doesn't mean you don't feel it) which can be a sign of your body letting you know you need to deal with this. Between having mono and a concussion at the same time I was bedridden too, and even if you didn't have everything else going on, being separated from people but more importantly from yourself, has repercussions. You find a disconnect between what you are used to doing and what you can currently do and it is sometimes the lack of being "normal" that can increase the feelings of PTSD because you can't physically do what you used to so your brain will latch on to the trauma that caused it, making you feel worse and focus more on it. It is a pretty vicious cycle.

I've been really having a difficult time in understanding what exactly is happening, and why I haven't been able to overcome my issue.

Head injuries are a serious thing! Just the physical recovery takes months upon months and while that does physical healing, the stress of not being yourself can make it worse! With regards to not understanding what is happening that is symptomatic of both PTSD and post concussion syndrome I believe. Not belittling what you are going through but most of us on here have cognitive impairments we are going through. For example, I had to drop a French class last year because even though I could kind of absorb what was going on, my brain was struggling to process the day to day simple things in live in English, so doing it in another language was impossible.

I agree with @TimeToHeal that seeing a therapist is a good idea. I don't know where you live but I know a physiotherapist that actually helps post-concussion patients through mindfulness exercises.

 

[MountainBike]

@Solara, thank you! And yeah I never really realized how bad concussions could be until it happened. I had only heard of people getting minor ones before like in a sports game or something. The effects still have not gone away for me, and I've lost most of my childhood memory which shocked most of my family since I was the one who always remembered everything. I hope you start to feel better soon!

 

[MountainBike]

@Em C. ,

I missed over 3 months of school from being absent and wasn't even able to attend a full day at 4 months so I understand the inability to process things. I'm sorry to hear you've had to go through so many concussions. I live on the east coast of the USA, if that's anywhere near where the physiotherapist is at...?

 

[Em C.]

He's in London, Ontario sorry :(

with my first I missed pretty much all of grade 12 second semester-- I think the processing problems can be the worst because it affects emotional stability and self esteem etc.

Are you still in school?

 

[MountainBike]

That's alright! Thanks for offering in the first place :)

Yes I am still currently in school, and am having a really rough year since this is my first full year after the event occurred. I've been having issues with focusing and understanding concepts, which has led to frustration and stress with myself. I'm normally an overachiever in my studies, so seeing grades drop has definitely been affecting my self esteem and what not.

 

[Em C.]

I'm doing an overload of courses (6 instead of 5) and two jobs (one in which I've had to save people's lives) and not dealing with it like I know I used to be able to. I'm not saying this to brag but because I know how much it sucks to be so aware of what crazy things you can push yourself to do and then realise... right. Old me could do that.

Part of the focusing is obviously brain related in the physical way but even without PTSD brain injuries cause a lot of stress. I used to have a near-photographic memory and sometimes I can't remember what I've had for breakfast or what I learned about in school today-- I just remember going.

Luckily, it does get better but it takes a while.

Sorry I do actually have ideas on stuff that may help and I'd love to talk with you about this if you'd like, but I'm sort of falling asleep on my computer so I figured I'd just respond quickly instead of trying to explain and end up saying something completely ridiculous :P

 

[MountainBike]

Yes, exactly the feeling of 'I used to be able to do that' and loosing good memory. Sleep well and I'd love to chat with you more in the future! Goodnight.

 

[mamachick]

Welcome MountainBike-I had a traumatic brain injury and think it was the beginning of changes that led to ptsd, although maybe not the direct cause. It was a bad injury yet considered mild (unconscious 5 minutes or so) but the personality changes were immediate. I and family thought it was because of pain and from other injuries and lack of good sleep. I later learned that those with a mild tbi, those that have mild cognitive and memory problems have more anxiety and depression. The anxiety and depression, and also impulsivity from tbi can put one in situations to cause full blown ptsd-which is really how it came about for me.

For me, the tbi left me feeling a bit defective. I was also an overachiever before this. I would suggest getting all the help you can now and as early on as possible before it injures your self esteem. I also had some nightmares and flashback and related things. But it was actually poor judgement that led to the abuse that caused full blown ptsd. Prevention is more valuable that repairing events of future circumstances. I hope this makes some sense.

Glad you are here and hope things improve for you.