I know when it's going to happen. I try to plan it so that it doesn't happen. Most of the time nobody knows but when I push too hard EVERYBODY knows.
My TBI will be a part of my life forever. I can make people believe it's gone and for them it is. That might be simply because I am either a good actress or is a good day and they are in my life temporarily. My family is a different story. They know what makes me anxious. They know how I can be at times. I wish they would remember that. Intellectually I know things but because I'm damaged I can't control how I react. I can try and i can try but it doesn't work. I end up hurt by my own thoughts. They don't want to hurt me but it still happens.
We are very sarcastic people. I cannot do sarcasm quickly anymore if I'm feeling insecure and tired sarcasm turns into truth.
I found this info today and I wish I could be assured they would read this and remember my issues again. I had a bad Sunday morning after a family get together on Saturday. It was me and my disability that took over my thoughts instead of enjoying the time we had.
Here's the information that I think we all need to remember:
Stress hits harder after a brain injury.
This takes place because, the injury itself disrupts the brain's ability to regulate emotions and manage stress hormones, making survivors more sensitive to stressors, exacerbating symptoms like: fatigue confusion, and increasing the risk for conditions like PTSD, creating a vicious cycle where stress worsens TBI recovery.
Here are some examples why worse after 🧠 injury:
•Damage to emotional centers: Injuries to the limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus) impair emotional regulation, making feelings of anxiety and stress harder to control.
•Hormonal disruption: Damage to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland affects stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline), keeping the body in a heightened state of alert.
•Cognitive overload: Stress increases the demand on an already compromised brain, worsening symptoms like memory issues, information processing difficulties, and mental fatigue.
•Heightened threat response: The brain stays on high alert, perceiving threats in everyday situations, perpetuating the stress cycle.
Here are a few examples of 🧠injury symptoms:
•Emotional: Anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, hopelessness, fear, feeling unlike yourself.
•Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, negative thoughts, "what if" cycles.
•Physical: Sleep problems, headaches, dizziness, shaking, rapid heart rate, fatigue, increased sensitivity to light/noise.
