organic personality disorder??

[Skallagrigg]

my son has this as well as cognitive difficulties,and anxiety with low mood and TBI.

I.ve googled but it says its a disease?

anybody got simple answers

what is it?

[pinkvision]

Hi this gives a broad outline en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ...

[Leaf100]

Hi Skallagrigg,

Have a chat with Headway about it, their number is under a tab on the right (at least on my screen).

I will mention I have had half a dozen different labels chucked on me for the same set of conditions over the years since the acquired brain injury. Nothing with me changed. It was just whatever doc and where ever they were in training.

Also from what I understand they are busy moving brain injury stuff out of the mental health part of the book they use to categorize conditions - which it needs to be. They also have recently moved, or are about to move, thinks like Parkinson's and MS as well, recognizing the physical/chemical/nerve components. So, they'll come up with a different term for the personality changes part is my guess. He'll still be him fundamentally, just a bit of the window dressing may not be the same.

Historically, when medicine didn't see actual burning or bleeding, they lumped everything else into psychiatry. Even the study of how vitamins and minerals work is a psychiatric specialty.

Some docs use old terms, some don't agree on terms, etc etc.

It is not unusual for people with brain injuries to have personality changes. It depends on what part of the brain was injured as to what changes. It is also not unusual for people to be more easily irritated and angry - especially at first - an inflammed brain will do that.

It's really hard not to get caught up in 'oh what fresh hell is this?' when someone slaps yet another label on something. Just know it isn't necessarily saying it is yet another disease or condition - it might be how that doc talks about the personality changes and someone else may not use that term. If it is indeed a separate thing, then it'll become clear.

Looking for a definitive diagnosis other than the TBI as the root cause isn't always that straight forward because it isn't well understood and the docs all have such varying degrees of experience and backgrounds with it.

(Heck on doc even told me I had 'shell shock' - which meant I just got really scared and it would all go away if I got treated for PTSD. Which is rubbish. And that's an old old term, back from when dinosaurs roamed the earth and says more about when that doc had his training.)

It's really hard when you have so much coming at you. We all know here the medical system hasn't got itself together when it comes to brain injury.

Have a chat with Headway. They know the docs in your area and may be able to get you a referral or second opinion, or get you more information.

Also know that often docs check out bi symptoms to rule out other things - like for tremors or seizures they have to look into things like epilipsy. It's due diligence. They are making sure they are treating things appropriately.

Remember to breathe. Take things steady. You're figure out the quirks of the system. It isn't easy, and you will.

If you son's injury is still fresh a lot can settle out. Fresh to me is anything under 5 years. Most healing happens in the first 3 or 4, and you can still heal a lot as time goes by. (After that it just may slow down a bit is all.)

Big virtual hug to you, remember to breathe, and give Headway a call.

Leaf

[cat3]

Hi Skallagrigg. I guess the simplest answer is that your son's personality changes aren't due to psychiatric disturbance but to physical changes in the brain (hence organic).

Most people experience personality changes after brain injury (emotional lability/anger/ impatience/memory issues) mostly, but not exclusively, after a frontal lob injury. This was explained to me by my surgeon at a review following a frontal lobe bleed in 2012.

These changes can be distressing for those close to us when the rants have a personal tone. I still rant & rave at inanimate objects when my poor dexterity gets in the way, or when I'm trying to express something and the words escape me, but I've learned to direct my anger inwards over the years so as not to upset loved ones.

'Disease' seems a pretty inappropriate term for what is basically a 'condition' resulting from injury. Hope this helps a little bit m'love..

Best wishes for better days to come. Cat x

[Skallagrigg]

thanks all 4 of his lobes were and are still damaged and a fifth got hit that badly its gone, I got a new report assessment last week and that was on his list of "conditions " so before I speak to anyone I just want a bit of a heads up lol he's just not getting better,the last 6 months he's regressed an awful lot,no zimmer,isolating in bed ,not eating, violent suicidal, I think I.m looking for that kick of hope

[cat3 in reply to Skallagrigg]

Have you talked (at length) with your son's consultant ? I'm thinking an obvious line of treatment would be an antidepressant and/or a temporary tranquillizer, but I see from a previous post that he's already having meds for his erratic moods. Maybe needs the meds reviewing ?

I'm guessing obviously Skallagrigg. Would you consider talking with the Headway team for a more educated take on your son's predicament ; I really feel you deserve more support.

The helpline no is freephone 0808 800 2244 during office hours.

All best wishes & big hugs... Cat x

[Skallagrigg]

hI rang Headway and left a message

[Skallagrigg]

they rang back, seems he has it for life, medication,when they find the right one, should help.

Well it saddens me obviously, as I assumed with time he would get better, but gut feeling after 22 months was telling me no, I hope they get the medication right because then I.ll know erm I. Ll know what I know? Can't really find the words for what I.ll know but I now know medication is the key to maybe a more stable son