My Life

[Onedayok]

Hello everyone, I was knocked down by a car at four years of age and suffered a head injury. That was fifty years ago and since then I have suffered from severe depression, anxiety, ocd,suicidal tendencies, panic attacks, dissociation and monophobia. . Any stress makes the symptoms worse.

Hope you don't mind me sharing this as I know alot of people have similar experiences.

[Rosebud66]

I’m so sorry, you sound like me… suicide attempts, depression, anxiety… after two head injuries… have you read ‘to rise and to root’ and have you got a local support group for yourself.? This is a very hard road we’ve been dealt and isolating because we can’t always join in, so I’m with you, and hoping very much that one day researchers can help heal our brains… hand on in there xx

[Onedayok in reply to Rosebud66]

I do go to a support group but still find everyday a struggle. Have reached out for further support but have found this restricting. Do feel isolated and also am bullied by people because I'm seen as an easy target for them. I wish you well and thank you for your support

[Cinderella18]

I’m sorry to hear about that but equally it’s (kind of selfishly) good to hear from someone with a TBI going back for 50 years. I’m a carer for my partner who suffered similar to you, when he was 10 years old. Over 50 years later, he too is still suffering. Most folk I get to speak to in connection with this, ie via Headway, have suffered either very recently or maybe only within the past few years. Having said that, Headway have been brilliant but it took us nearly 50 years to find someone who understood and could help. I thoroughly recommend them to you, if you have a local branch. If not, at least contact their helpline.

You mentioned being bullied - that’s terrible but I can identify with that too. Folk just don’t understand. It can be very isolating. Do you have someone who supports you? I wish you all the best and it’s really good that you’ve come onto this forum to reach out.

[Onedayok in reply to Cinderella18]

We have been to headway meetings but as you say most of them have been recent. I have been going to support groups and phoning helplines . Have tried lots of different meds over the years but none have helped me very much. I walk around most days feeling dissociated and get frightening panic attacks . Lots of people I thought were my friends turned there back on me as that didn't understand calling me lazy for not being able to hold a job down.I'm sure hearing this is some of what your husband is experiencing and I send my best wishes to you both

[Cinderella18 in reply to Onedayok]

Again, I’m sorry to hear how difficult it’s been for you. Have you asked your contact at Headway to connect you to one of their Occupational Therapists? It’s also worth asking if they have a counsellor that can provide a few sessions with you. Good luck Onedayok 🤗

[Trevor78]

Wow that's tough. I have had, and still do,many such struggles in my 40 years post TBI but I did thankfully have 17 years of what was the real untroubled me. You never had that luxury. Feel free to share concerns and thoughts. Plenty of listeners on here!

[Onedayok in reply to Trevor78]

Thank you for your kind words . Sorry to hear about your struggle.

[Denseekersky]

HiFor panic attacks try this. Breath in through the nose and breathe out the the mouth. Important to do the in breath through the nose and out breath via the mouth. Do this for at least 5 minutes. Concentrate on breathing and ignore stressful thoughts unless there really is a threat nearby. This has a physical effect on the body and the fear or sense of being in a combat zone should subside if you concentrate on the in and out breath.

Good luck