Anxiety

[Dottiedots142]

Hey all. Can you help?I'm 7 months after my TBI,( sub arachnoid haemorrhage) have no sense of taste or smell & a few short term memory problems still.

I'm back at work full time, go to gym & driving short journeys. Everyone says I'm a trooper & got on with life really well.

But, I'm finding I'm anxious & worried about things. Silly things. If something comes up, say for instance, I've got to travel by train next week for a course & I'm worrying about it constantly. I'm dreading it in fact. These things never bothered me before, but now I'm getting in a state & I don't know how to handle it. How do you all cope now with your anxiety & worries? I find that because I'm slower at doing things now, I worry about them more. I'm exhausted. Thankyou all. X

[Shreds]

Dottiedots142

You have just described things which afflict many of us, so I for one certainly understand your anxiety over it.

I would suggest writing down each anxiety in your own words and then as you accomplish them (eg you caught your train ok) then you can review each day and congratulate what you have achieved. CBT may help as you wil receive positive reinforcement of your achievements.

You do sound to have made a good recovery but dont worry about the taste / smell thing. It is usually one the first things to go after brain injury. Despite advice that this can return in the first year, mine took 5-6 years. But you can relearn these things along with keeping a log and diary of how you feel and how you resolved things, plus recording achievements however minor.

Its part of the journey, stick with it, we are with you. 😀

[Dottiedots142 in reply to Shreds]

Thankyou Shreds for replying. I did start journalling after my injury so I will start again. The little steps are big steps really. I must be more positive on this. I'm waiting for CBT and I'm hoping it will help me make sense of how I'm feeling. I'm learning daily about this recovery journey. What a journey its been.

[cat3]

Have you spoken with your doctor, or those close to you ? Ongoing anxiety, whilst often crippling, can feel pretty tabu to open up about. But talking is often the key to taking control..

CBT worked well for me after years of disabling panic attacks. But I still don't know whether it was the (initially) terrifying 30 minute motorway drive, every week for 12 months to access the treatment, proving I could function without catastrophe, or the therapist's skill. I do know how I morphed from dreading it to embracing it.

I also found that an SSRi antidepressant allowed me to focus on aims without being sidetracked by unwanted thoughts.

Have you told others how troubled you are Dottie ?

Cat x

[cat3 in reply to cat3]

ps...

My taste and smell were lost cmpletely for a couple of years before slowly returning to an acceptable level. Still have issue with certain foods (tomatoes & red meat) but not a problem at all these days.. x

[Dottiedots142 in reply to cat3]

Thank you cat3. Words of wisdom. I think I do need to see my GP, have a chat etc. Maybe I do need a bit of extra support too.. Thankyou again x

[cat3]

We're always here Dottie... 🙂 x

[Hidden]

Hi, thats exactly the way I am 13 months after my accident. I am at times being able to cope with worrying, but I totally understand how you feel about worrying about little things which seems to turn a little thing into a big thing for no reason. I have no sense of taste or smell either, but there are times when I can smell something like perfume or aftershave but I have no idea what kind it is. As for taste I haven't given up but I accept it now, although I know texture is what bothers me. It is still difficult for me every week but I have tried to cope with everything through by practising the 5 things I see or the 5 things I can touch which are around me. It does work at times and other times I get emotional. I am back to work full time and driving again too, and some days I just want to stay at home where I don't need to worry or stress about anything. My reply might not help you but I totally understand how you are feeling, as I just want someone to totally understand how I am feeling about things without them to pretend they understand.

🙂

[Dottiedots142 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Lion for your reply. I'm here for you too, its not all about me!!. In fact, I'm better thinking about others than myself!.This anxiety thing creeps up on me & I don't know it's coming. Then my thoughts start to race. I try & stay in the moment & let it wash over me, but it can take over. It's hard to articulate it, isn't it. Xxx

[MaryH75]

Hi Dottie I'm 8 mo the post tbi and finding the anxiety crippling at times. I have went from a busy working mum of 3 who trained in gym 3-4 times a week to a woman who gets worked up going g to the shop. I find every day things difficult and seem to have lost my confidence. It's like my life has been replaced with the opposite of what im used to. It took me a few month to admit my injuries. I have no memory of my accident or 5 day stay in hospital. I have also lost my sense of smell. Wishing you a happy 2024 x

[Dottiedots142 in reply to MaryH75]

Thankyou for replying MaryH75. It's difficult isn't it, coming to terms with it all and losing confidence is one of the hardest. I wish you a happy healthy & peaceful 2024. I'm so glad I found this forum. Thank you all xx