imploding post tbi

[JULIETstevens]

i was doing well in my recovery from a tbi 4 years ago, but recently have started to implode, rejecting family, cancelling birthday celebrations, giving up hobbies etc. i'm on anti-depressents! i think i need them!

[BeeYou22]

Hi Juliet 🙂 I had an SAH 4 years ago and was coiled and I am also feeling the same as you are now. I do have a lot of other health issues but I couldn't understand why I seemed to be going backwards, not forwards. I am also on anti-depressants.

I reached out in desperation to my local Headway and was lucky to speak to the hospital liaison worker and she has been to see me twice. It's been really helpful because she has validated that I am suffering from the effects of brain injury after my bleed. I think I was in denial before but I'm facing it now and it's really hard. You will need support and the GP is unlikely to have any answers so I would concentrate on talking to Headway... they really do know their stuff. Good luck and be gentle with yourself x

[JULIETstevens in reply to BeeYou22]

Thanks. I'll speak to my caseworker. I've contacted a local advisory group about volunteering as I still feel mentally with it to be useful even though I can't do paid employment. Do you work or volunteer in any capacity? Great being in touch with you ☺️

[BeeYou22 in reply to JULIETstevens]

Hiya! It's been a long, tough journey as I have also suffered abuse and I have been working hard on myself with therapy and seem to be slowly climbing out of the black hole of depression but it's tough. I'm not able to work any more but have recently been invited to volunteer for a mental health charity in an online self help group which I'm happy about 🙂 experts by experience are often the best support and I'm glad to be supporting others now. Great to connect and share, yay! x

[JULIETstevens in reply to BeeYou22]

Sounds like you are in a great place now. Hubby won't let me volunteer but I'm going to treat my novel writing like a job when I have more time in September when both our daughters are at school.

[BeeYou22]

I've just read your story Juliet! Wow... you and me are so similar in more ways than one and we are local to each other too. Isn't it amazing how the universe connects people? x

[JULIETstevens in reply to BeeYou22]

Yrs it is The universe can be a bitch re tbi but equally it can create new, positive opportunity. If I hadn't had mine then I'd be working none stop as a lawyer still instead of chasing my dream of becoming an author

[JULIETstevens]

We live in ilchester Somerset. Where are you?

[BeeYou22]

You go for it Juliet! I have also written a book and write poetry... my SAH seems to have brought out more creativity in me but my executive function has all but disappeared. I live in Street, Somerset so we are not that far away 😀 x

[JULIETstevens in reply to BeeYou22]

Sorry. What is your book about? Mine is a series of inter-conected short stories. Just started writing a sequel post tbi and a whole new novel too. Are you writing again? I find still as creative as pre tbi. Would you like to email me some of your poetry for an independent 3rd party feedback?

[BeeYou22 in reply to JULIETstevens]

Hiya... mine was a self-help book pre SAH but the ex kept all copies I had and I can't afford a reprint but hey ho! I am still writing but it's for my own healing journey and yes I would like to connect via email but I'm not sure how to do that privately here? x

[JULIETstevens in reply to BeeYou22]

Email me privately at [e-mail]

[JULIETstevens in reply to JULIETstevens]

hi beeyou. not heard from you by email..... i hope you're doing ok? did you enjoy your summer? did you get away onANY HOLIDAYS? WE WENT CAMPING 3 TIMES, WHICH WAS GREAT AND I MANAGE TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY SHOWERING AND HELPING WASHING UP ETC. THE GIRLS HAD A GREAT TIME TOO, MAKING FRIENDS AT THE CAMPSITE. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE OVER THE SUMMER???

[JULIETstevens]

beeyou22 if you want to share your work then let me know. Are you trying to get published aswell?

[JULIETstevens]

i haven't heard from you by email. no problem. i'd still like to remain in contact on here. i've just come back from our third family camping trip- this time in cornwall. it went great- i showered and dressed independently, played with our girls and helped with jobs around our pitch. feels great that i can still function as a wife, mother and a useful, engaged member of the fanily.