Well you may have some clue about this post, yeess you guessed, its rumination, what I want to know is, is rumination par for the course with BI?? I'm constantly having imaginary conversations, practicing my "lines" for any upcoming appointments, going over again years old talks, this literally goes on all day. Any answers on a post card please to Fredikins.
Ruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminating... - Headway
Ruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminatingruminating
I'd say it was normal for me before b I and worse in the two years just after. I found (eventually) that if I wrote a timetable and was strict with myself I could sometimes move on to another topic/activity.
Good luck
HI Fred, I think its a common problem with a BI - known medically as 'Perseveration'. It drives you mad doesn't it! I wrote about this in a post earlier, and included a link relating to getting over ruminations when a relationship fails. Here's the link again;
upliftconnect.com/get-someo...
Thanks swedishblue, an extremely worthwhile link, its uplift.tv for me tonight, I really enjoy these 'click adventures' as I call them as you always learn something, and being fairly new to computing I'm always amazed at what is "out there". I had known about perseveration but though it a physical symptom I can now see that it can also be a mental symptom, also the 15 helpful things reminded me of some wisdoms I seem to have forgotten, mainly Buddhist teachings. An absolutely huge thank you swedishblue, another evocative username by the way.
Nothing is normal when it comes to a head injury, it's different in every case. I get ruminations lots, usually going over old arguments or stressful situations, or possible future arguments. It's pretty exhausting as it takes a lot of emotional energy. I've not found any good way to control it but when it happens I try to recognise it is happening (the trickiest part) and then bring it to an end. One way to end it is to close eyes and say "no no no" strongly. Or just take the scenario the braining is ruminating over and take it to a quick logical conclusion which usually involves lots of swearing.
As with everything the best way out of it is to do whatever it takes to stay happy and healthy.
No easy answers alas!
Thanks jriddell, I had suspected the toll on my energy was something to do with this, your right too about the swearing, another little piece of understanding gained, thanks again mate.
Hi Fred,
Top man for starting this thread, I am nearly 10 years post bi and this is still one of the most infuriating aspaects that prevent feeling like 'myself'. Great timing with this post as been ranting in my head lots the last few days about something at work but I found Swedish blues link really helpful. I also think a lot of it has to do with the brains response to trauma, a big part of ptsd is the brains inability to shut down its threat system and consequently we can't stop so constant chatter and settle down. I wrote about it in some detail on a website I put together which you might find relevant to you - braininjuryftp.com
Thanks again fred,
All the best
Neil
Thanks Neil,
I have spent the morning reading your Finding The Positives, an excellent piece of work Neil, hopefully all on this site have read it. So many pertinent words, a penny dropped reading the 'old brain new brain' section, and that has helped a lot coming to understanding of another troubling aspect of BI, also the Foundations Of Sand was particularly helpful in coming to terms with identity perception. You have a very deep understanding Neil, I will be trying meditation anew in the hope of finding the compartments you spoke of. Its good too that you found swedishblue link useful, that's what is so good about this site every body is learning from these replies, I've only been on here a week and I am feeling so much more positive, leading hopefully to a ripple effect (a lovely term found on the swedishblue link ). Like you I have found the " ongoing theme of language" running through the whole experience and thankfully can express myself having only learned computing in rehab I was a complete technophobe pre BI. Also the devil you know offered inspiration, so many, many thanks to you Neil I'll be going back to finding the positives quite regularly I'm sure probably daily.
Cheers mate
Neil Hapgood, that's an excellent website you've put together! I'm really impressed, and I'm going to really enjoy reading your thoughts!! I have been giving though to 'ptsd' lately, and i think many post BI (sah) sufferers have it without realising. Thanks for your illuminating thoughts regarding the "brains response to trauma, and its inability to shut down the threat system" due to ptsd! It doesn't matter how many years ago your injury was, it can still be present. My sympathetic nervous system is out of kilter and I have cfs symptoms. I'm going to look at ptsd more closely now...
Was always like that.....
I am glad I am not the only person who does this, I constantly do this. Most times when I come to the event if it was not inmaginery, I hardly stick to what I have practised because I forgot or circumstances have changed. What does annoy mre though if a group of us talking I am hardly listened to to or someone talks over me or I lost my thoughts on what I was going to talk about.
Thank you for helpful comments others have said.
All the best
Jem