Am I going mad??

[Swooz]

Hi everyone

This is my first post and I hope that I’m not alone in this. I am 4 years post SAH, a month or so after I could see Harry Potters face on a painted canvas at my daughter’s house. It wasn’t something that I’d made out of the shapes, it was a perfect likeness as clear as day. Obviously nobody else could see it but, to me, it was real. This morning whilst I was getting ready to get up I saw a small green frog on the bed next to me. I wasn’t dreaming, I could make out in great detail it’s bumpy light green skin. I looked at it for a while and even thought how cute it was then it disappeared. Has anybody else had a similar experience? I’ve found this site a wonderful therapy and feel comforted to know that there are many people going through similar struggles. Thank you everybody X

[Snowcloud]

Make some notes of how your condition affects you and jot down some examples that you can use in the interview.

[Leaf100]

Hi Swooz,Have you talked to Headway for advice? That may be a place to start.

Sometimes a bladder infection can cause such things.

Sometimes medication can. Check with a pharmacist re side effects or interactions of anything you may be on.

I also wonder of the part of the brain that interprets shapes has gone into overdrive. There is a term for that but I don't remember what it is.

This kind of thing is something the pro's need to help you with.

Brain injuries come with all sorts of quirks.

Keep us posted.

Leaf

[Pairofboots]

The brain is a magical organ. It multitasks away without any input from the conscience control person. Unfortunately it isn't perfect, it does malfunction, short circuits, and sometimes wonders off into a world of fantasy.No you are not mad. The brain is good/maybe not so good at making sense of abstract information. It can create it's own reality. Following an injury it doesn't always have logical connections. What you see is very real to you. Some may term this as hallucinations, vivid day dreams. This doesn't mean that you are mad. But it can make it difficult to know what is really there. I'd agree with keeping some brief notes as only you know what you are seeing. It would be worth having a chat with your rehab team.

[Swooz in reply to Pairofboots]

Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful. It did make me question the bit about mentioning it to my rehab team. Ive had no support or follow up appointments since my SAH. It has been such a lonely, frightening time but I’ve found this site to be very informative and feel less alone. I guess I will try and get an appointment with a GP and go from there. Many thanks x

[Pairofboots in reply to Swooz]

I'm sorry you haven't had any support, I hear this too often these days. Having a brain injury is often lonely even with support, and being surrounded by family. People find it difficult to imagine what we have experienced, and often because we don't have any outward sines, people just assume we have recovered to our former selves.

I'm glad that you have found this forum, we have lived experience, and whatever worries you someone will be able to help. Also think about making contact with Headway, their contact details are pinned to this page. They have a helpline during office hours, their website has information that you can download. The also can support you and family, and can signpost you to services. They have day centres that can help you, where you can meet face to face with others that have similar experiences, and offer activities to aide rehab.

[Writeronstack]

People do find it difficult to imagine what we are going through - and it can get lonely, as Pairofboots says. We don't help by trying to be as 'normal' as possible in front of others, I guess.

And no, you are not going mad. I have heard car noises once which I know were not there, (the back of our house is an open field, and ours, so nobody else can have driven in to make that car noise) and also have seen a beautiful bird (imagined, I am sure) next to an empty birdfeeder out of the window at the back of our living room - the kind that a child would draw, and then fill in with any coloured pencil that happens to be to hand. . . only for a moment. Then gone. What surprised me is the vivid detail of this imagination. Must have surprised you too.

The way I look at it, this is a free gift from our brain to us - enjoy this ! It can't make some connections but can create perfect pieces of art for us to look at.

But do please mention it to your GP - I am waiting for a neuro team appointment, so will mention it then.

And yes, this platform is a lifeline isn't it. Stay with it - planning, and doing your part - your spirit will prevail.

[skydivesurvivor]

sounds like dad when he first came round after 1st heart attack!! His Dr was very well indowed!!! A squirrel on his bedside table & wanted his son to bring him in a shovel so he could tunnel his way out?!! The brains a funny thing, seems I should be glad I lost most of my neurons!! Have managed to remember most of a book I wrote some 35 years ago! Was therapeutic trying to recall, + I taught myself to type!! Rapid, but unreadable!! Oh well, at least I try!! Have a great Easter all!