02/10/2025
Ⓜ️y Broken Brain and Blue Ruin
Personal insight into TBI
(Pt. 1)
A few random notes on my experience, with a hope to improve understanding of the issue.
Friends and family, If you know someone that has experienced a TBI, however mild or severe, you may feel that you know what they're going through. You're wrong, you don't, you can't.
The “Brain Doctors” are especially full of s**t, and usually too arrogant to admit it. Listen to the Nurses, they usually know more and they're honest.
Facing Reality
• They know you care. That's the primary driving force behind their efforts to persevere, to overcome the damage, and to heal. They will try hardest for the ones they love.
• Recovery is a slow, difficult, frustrating process. It requires substantial effort and there will be setbacks. Be patient, they're trying, learning, healing, and it all takes time.
• There will be differences in their personality, usually temporary, sometimes permanent. These may range from mild to extreme, but you will notice changes in their behavior. Remember, their brain is trying to do everything a brain normally does, while also constantly engaging in an all out, balls-to-the-wall repair effort. So, yeah, it may (wiuiill) affect their attention span, memory, stress level, patience, temper, and more. They may get frustrated, agitated, angry, depressed, lonely, etc., quicker and easier than before.
• These changes will be apparent to virtually everyone they were close to beforehand. Most that perceive any negative changes in personality, behavior and temperament will assume they're permanent. Clueless, and unconcerned enough to ask the hard questions, they will pass judgement. They will redefine their relationship based on the person they see before them now. Gradually, often without realizing it, they will actively begin distancing themselves. They'll intentionally chose to contribute to the loss and loneliness in a person that is fighting the hardest fight of their life. It will happen, even with family. Because some people will always run from the hard fight. This is a fight that must be fought, often alone, without understanding the rules, or knowing where to turn for guidance. Don't be this person.
• You'll watch them struggle, see them in times of hopelessness and despair. You'll want to make things better, but can't. You'll want to help, but don't know how. You'll see their pain and anguish, and wish you could take it upon yourself. It will affect you emotionally
• You will get frustrated, impatient, possibly even resentful and angry. However, you control your attitude. Own it, fix it. Don't get things twisted and blame them. That will damage both of you emotionally, and will destroy relationships, friendships, even marriages.
