Few things I think everyone with BI has in common

[keeley24]

From attending a BI group there are 2 things I think all or most people with BI have in common. First they don’t remember how they got BI though they will know from others telling them and piecing together what happened no one I know remembers it happening to themselves.

2 short term memory especially remembering peoples names. This is one thing I can be good or rubbish with. If I remember to repeat a new name a few times after being told it I can remember or if I think of someone I know with same name I can remember, but there has been at least 2 times when I’ve been told a name then a few minutes later forgotten it. There is a man who recently started going to the BI group and he really struggles to say and remember names. So we all keep testing him to help him remember. He is the only person yet to forget my name then he will say sorry as if he’s done something wrong. I just tell him we all forget and it doesn’t matter better to laugh it off and learn than let it upset you.

[sealiphone]

Names was a problem for pre TBI and now I find mnemonics really helps. One example a clinical psychologist (Jean) who became a friend incredibly nice, so:

"Jean is mean" & never forgot her name.

Headway groups great place to feel normal and discover the spectrum of symptoms.

Mine was a bleed and I certainly remember the start and possibly whilst I was in a coma (my memory fits the facts according to the nurse), Consultant said impossible!

[lcd8 in reply to sealiphone]

That's a great strategy, thanks Sealiphone! Yes I agree that whether you remember getting your TBI depends on its nature. I was born with my BI but it started showing symptoms (massive headaches and sickness) when I was 12. I sure remember that.

[steve55]

mine was a stroke that left me with a bi and short term memory loss which is getting worse.