Oldie back as Newbie

Some of you will know my previous posts under the name LeslieDilks.

I have been going through a difficult personnel time, whilst also having doubts

and uncertainties about myself. I therefore took myself off the Headway forum.

Why?? I don't know

Anyway! I've joined again as HannahS...change of name why??? I don't know that either...

I've been reading all your posts and the one about OCD made me smile because

like Zeblet I check and double check the same things...it does my blinking head in.

Like others when something comes into my head I have to do it, whether it's a priority or not ....What's that about??... I drive myself and husband nuts!!

Anyway would like to welcome the new faces and say hello to the old faces

( not literally old, but you know what I mean)

Can anyone help please because this happens a lot...

This is one scenario of many....Yesterday I was at home, sat in the lounge with my husband chatting, he then decided to go outside into the garden. After 5 minutes he came back into the lounge and because he forgot to knock on the lounge door to notify me of his presence back in the house I screamed. When I say I screamed I mean a horror film scream. I then shouted at hubby for forgetting to knock and started crying, it takes me about an half an hour or so to pull myself together.

I have been like this since B.I. (6 plus years) and it happens often. When I have welcomed family/friends into our home they may pop to the toilet or go into the garden and if they don't knock to make me aware they are back I scream. I get comments like.....you knew I was here I only went to the toilet etc...

I always ask family, visitors etc to knock before entering a room, even when they think I know they are in the home. I just don't know what else to do and I'm sure my neighbours are sick of the screaming.

I hate medication, but have finally agreed with my consultant to take 5mg of Cipralex daily. I have been on this for approx 2 months it's not a cure but is helping.

Anybody got any other tips or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated

[Hidden]

Welcome back

I am the same but have found that an incident / comment sometimes acts as a trigger

[mowgli123]

Welcome back!! Sorry to hear this... I think it's amazing that you are implementing strategies like the knocking.. I can imagine how frustrating this is for you as others don't understand. Unfortunately you have to go over things time & again to get them to understand.. But they will if you really explain how important this is to you. My husband has a TBI, we were in a car accident 2 years ago. He is currently at OZC for treatment & getting lots of strategies etc. I will ask them for any ideas for you xxx

[Hidden]

YOU COULD TRY PUTTING SIGNS UP O N YOUR DOORS WHICH SAY KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING OR SOMETHING LIKE. TELL THEM THEY'RE SERIOUS NOTICES & IT MIGHT HELP THEM TO REMEMBER TO DO IT.

DON'T BE TOO HASTY WITH THE CIPRALEX, IT TAKES TIME TO BUILD UP TO IT'S FULL EFFICACY. I HATED THE THOUGHT OF ANTI DEPRESSANTS AS I DIDN'T THINK I WAS DEPRESSED AFTER THE BI. I HAVE TO SAY THEY'VE SAVED MY BACON. AFTER THE BI I DEVELOPPED CHRONIC ANXIETY TO THE POINT WHERE ALL I COULD DO WAS SIT ON THE SOFA WITH A BLANKET OVER MY HEAD UNTIL THE SYMPTOMS SUBSIDED - ALWAYS IN THE MORNING. THE NEURO PUT ME ON 10MG CIPRALEX THICH WASN'T ENOUGH SO WE TRIED 20 MG & WHILST IT DOESN'T CURE IT IT HAS IMPROVED ABOUT 80% WE RECENTLY PUT IT UP TO 30MG DAILY, 20MG IN THE MORNING WHEN IT'S WORST & 10MG IN THE EVENING TO TRY & MAKE THE MORNING A BIT MORE BEARABLE. WORKS FOR ME SO FAR.

I WOULD SUGGEST MAYBE ADJUSTING YOUR DOSE IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS YOU'RE GETTING MAY BE A HELP.

I THOUGHT THAT AS I HAVE TO TAKE THEM ANYWAY THE QUANTITY DOESN'T MATTER AS LONG AS THEY WORK. I HAVE TO TAKE 10 OTHER PILLS A DAY ANYWAY SO 1 MORE DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

[BaronC]

Welcome back, good to see you.

Andy

[cat3]

Yes Leslie it's lovely to see you back here, I had wondered whether you'd be back and here you are !

I would echo Zeblet's suggestion about the notes on doors so that it becomes an automatic association.......note......knock........

don't even have to think about it.

So glad you're back again m'dear. xx

[B_S_A]

Welcome back Leslie!

[Hidden]

Hi, thanks all for your hellos, advice etc.....it's much appreciated

[wannagetbetter]

I am glad you have highlighted this. I will show this to my hubby. I too jump with a little scream with fright from time to time when it use to be me and hubby alone. Icannot recall how often. But just last week it happened again with an acquaintance and I thought I was over that. My hubby kinda apologised for me and made light of it with the new aquaintance so to speak...because they couldn't understand why I got so frightened. My hubby gets kinda annoyed but I can't help it when it happens. Should I try and explain that it is a side effect that happens after brain surgery?