Hello and question for you

[inney]

Hello,

My name is Yenni and I've been looking around on healthunlocked for a few weeks with a bit of shyness to say hello. I'm doing it today at work because it's half term and the library is so nice and quiet.

I had a TBI (I'm using abbreviations for the first time! heh) last year. This Sunday is my bump-aversary. One year ago I was hit by a car when cycling home in the wee hours. Two day coma, month long hospital stay, back at work the start of this year, still seeing my occupational therapist, still feeling its effects everyday.

My question today is all about mood swings. My moods go so so up and so so so down. Right now I'm up and the sun is out and life feels alright.

I say all of this with massive hesitation because I've been going through the same cycle for months. Good and great for a few weeks and one day I come crashing down. Feeling like everything is the worst its been, feeling misunderstood, not knowing what I need, unable to find out what I want because of lack in energy/no motivation/no time, unable to remember anything to help myself, feeling the psychological and cognitive woes so heavily.

While I'm in my current up, I'm hoping to compile a self-help folder with some help from friends. For the first time I have dread and hesitance about everything as I know what's coming. It drastically affects my relationships with people, my day-to-day schedules and routines, my tolerance and hope.

Is this something that anybody can relate to? What kinds of things do you do to help yourself?

Self-help, cbt, communication. siiiigh.

[Danslatete]

Hello, it's hard to manage the mood swings, I found it very difficult and still do because I don't see the downs coming. It does get better in time though, I have been getting more normal moods and not too high highs nor too low lows.

I had counselling and I did this thin of awareness and finding something positive everyday.

I hope someone can help in a more constructive way because blind can't lead the blind!

[SAMBS]

Hello Yenni, welcome to Healthunlocked - we will all understand and relate to what you have written. I am so pleased you have overcome your shyness to put 'pen to paper' as it were. You are not alone in your feelings or the ups and downs - and I agree that when the sun shines life does seem more bearable. Through this community you will realise and understand that we all have our own experiences of some or all that you said

Have you contacted Headway yet? they can send you a series of booklets all relating to different aspects of a brain injury, some, I think aredownloadable as pdf's. that you can return to on your computer at your convenience.

I agree with danslatete, you don't see the downs coming any more than the ups. It only needs a wrong word or a misunderstanding and it can knock you sideways almost instantly. For the poor memory, one of the best pieces of advice I received here on the forum from members, was write things down - so always have have a pen and notebook with you, that will almost become your best friend - it remembers for you!! lol.

I'm sure over the next couple of days you'll find you have lots of replies, we are all here to read, listen, support and encourage - becaue we understand - we've been there ourselves, many of us still are (me included!)

Take care, have a happy easter. Shirley xxx

[Hidden]

Welcome Yenni. Only two days coma; that's lucky - two months and the loss of a years memories here. That was 47 years ago. You are experiencing what most persons with BI, however it happened, go through. I've just come out of a massive downer from the last three days. I try to ignore them but just sometimes I can't and I become very surly and unapproachable. Haven't been so good with this last one but I'm feeling happier today so hopefully it'll be a long time before the next swing arrives. Advice: Don't self medicate with alcohol; it only makes things worse. Good Luck.

[philstretchdavis]

Unfortunate as it may seem, this is life and you have to adapt. I have got used to my fluctuations and generally sit back and ride out the storm, knowing full well that shortly I will be flying again after this short blip. But maybe this approach doesn't suit everyone, I'm an optimist and go through life welcoming the blips because that makes me appreciate the high's more.

[Hidden]

HI ITHERE YENNI

never BE SHY TO COME TO HEADWAY. AS BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS WE CAN OFTEN RELATETO WHAT WE'RE ALL FEELING. IT'S NOT ONLY FOR SERIOUS POSTS WE ALSO POST SILLYNTHINGS LIKE I'M TAKING CARPET UP AT THE MOMENT & IT'S HARD WORK! YOU CAN POST ANYTHING YOU WANT!

UPS & DOWNS ARE A TYPICAL RESULT WHEN YOU HAVE A BI. I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO BE UNTIL I WAKE UP.MORNINGS ARE WORST FOR ME BUT I USUALLY FIND THAT AFTER A BATH & A CUP OF COFFE MY MOOD LIFTS A BIT. WEIRD!

ON THE MEDICAL SIDE I HAVE FOUND THAT ANTIDEPRESSANTS MORNING & EVENING HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I AM NO LONGER CRIPPLED BY THE ANXIETY I FEEL IN THE MORNING. IT HASN'T GONE BUT IT IS CERTAINLY 80% BETTER. SOME PEOPLE SHY AWAY FROM ANTIDEPRESSANTS, DON'T BE RELUCTANT TO TAKE THEM IF YOU NEURO SUGGESTS IT, THEY MAY MAKE DIFFERENCE, ANYTHING THAT HELPS IS OK BY ME! TAKE THINGS SLOWLY & DON'T PUT TOO MUCH ON YOURSELF.

BEST OF LUCK & BE PATIENT.

[Hidden]

Hi welcome to the forum love the term bump aversary

I am having my 50th bump aversary this month

Your experience s sound very similar I hope you will find lots of support on the forum any queries just ask