Do you ever get back to how you were before a TBI? Anyone who has suffered from a TBI with young kids

[Kolez]

Hi all.

Reaching out to see if anyone has ever gone back to being their "normal" self after suffering a TBI ?

Recently suffered a TBI the frustration is driving me insane. I have way less patience than what I use to way less energy to play with them. They have been amazing through all of this but have no idea really what I've been through. Just want to get back to my old self 😔

Any tips would be helpful

[hypoxic_ischemic]

i imagine once people recover, they no longer have use for websites like this one... so they might leave and not return.

I have friends who recovered after several years - save for a slightly dodgy memory at times. They are doing quite well now

[Beachlovingkiwi]

I’m 4 years into it and there is definitely improvement.I find it is all,about balance. This is your new normal for right now - acceptance can go a long way to helping so can grieving a little for the old you.

Things that have worked for me - early on keeping a record of my day - so i can pin point what was helping and what was tiring me. Yoga - the Love your brain website has some great gentle stuff and meditation too. Physio helped, massage, chiropractor and last off osteopath continues to help me. Walks in fresh air help me when tired too.

Go easy on yourself having young children is challenging at the best of times and if you feel yourself having less patience etc set them up in a safe space and take a 10 min brain break - lye down eyes closed and covered and just breathe I found this helped heaps early on too. Try stay away from screens too - and or black the background on them.

Take care and pace yourself recovery is a marathon not a sprint .

[Kolez in reply to Beachlovingkiwi]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Been tough going from being so independent to not being able to drive loosing my job I loved an everything along the way you start to feel like you no longer have control.

Pre teens and a 4 year old is a challenge but they are doing well just wish I had the energy to run around an play with the little one again

[Kolez in reply to Beachlovingkiwi]

Also loving that your a kiwi too as I live in NZ and so lucky to live in such a beautiful place although I do find there is little awareness and support in nz

[Beachlovingkiwi in reply to Kolez]

Yes I agree with both! Where abouts are you? Will leave my email - feel free to get in touch, would be nice to have someone to share stories with. [e-mail]

[skydivesurvivor]

Takes many years to accept the new you!! Hope y build a nicer person!! Never knew y had the option? Life is a challenge!! Please visit here & share y progress? Vent y frustration? If like me y have loads of that?!!! Good luck n SMILE to spite y injury!! Helps!!

[Kolez in reply to skydivesurvivor]

Thanks skydiversurvivor definitely frustrating at times and hard to see the positives just got to take one day at a time one step at a time I guess

[skydivesurvivor in reply to Kolez]

It’s a challenge! Hope y find support here, keep safe n come moan as & when?

[cat3]

"Do you ever get back to how you were before a TBI ?" ....... unlikely🤔. But, with time, life really does improve.

Try to be accepting of your present limitations for now and work around them as best you can. Pace yourself, with regular short breaks, (if/when possible) and the knack of managing after-effects will come.

It's only on looking back that you'll appreciate how you've progressed. Annoyingly, for most of us, the key for improvement is mainly the passage of time !

I hope you'll find less demanding ways of keeping your children entertained.

And I know the loss of a much loved job is an awful wrench, as is driving. I do empathise. But there will be better days, and opportunities, ahead.

Take care.... Cat x

[Kolez in reply to cat3]

Thanks so much for your advice cat3 really means alot

[Life-Goes-On-2021]

What is normal? I am now at a new normal, but it’s still hard to accept at times and not compare or be angry that I am not the same. However, this ongoing journey has positives as well as negatives - sometimes hard to find, but definitely lurking! Good luck!

[Kolez in reply to Life-Goes-On-2021]

Thank you definitely sometimes hard to find thank you for your words of kindness and support

[chaz3]

I thought the same and from a conversation with headway their advice is you have to manage how you are now. I greifed for 4 months as I know that person has gone and I will never be the person I was.Try to find what triggers the frustration(writing it down helps).I find sometimes you do too much and your brain needs a rest.Try to find strategies Unfortunately the people around you will get use to the different you.My daughter realise this is who I am now but everyday I try.