perseveration

[B17D]

hi

following my fiancés accident in 2022, where he was diagnosed with TBI and came out of a disorder of conciousness October 2023, he has been progressing on his physical and mental capabilities. Whilst that is still ongoing, one thing that he really struggles with and is causing a barrier is his perseveration. He gets very fixated on specific things throughout the day, repeating questions almost as a reassurance to himself as he does know the answers when asked. He also struggles to regulate emotions and can get very very distressed and agitated when he is fixated on getting something done and it doesn’t happen immediately, such as getting back to bed.

we have had next to no support with how to deal and manage with his perseveration, and have tried suggestions from the internet such as setting a timer for him to discuss the topic but with little improvement.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? And if so, any support or ideas will be hugely welcome.

when he becomes distressed it is very hard to distract him until the task he has fixated on is complete, which isn’t always possible immediately.

[pinkvision]

Hi, is he right-handed? If so was there right hemisphere frontal lobe damage?

[TBI_Friday]

Hello, I can heavily relate to this, I too seem to have developed a fixation issue, for me it's mostly "calling people out" on doing something wrong, reporting everything, wanting justice done and I simply can not just "let things go" because to me it's the right thing to do now. Most of the time it also causes me to get verbally aggressive causing embarrassment to the people I'm with and I frequently end up apologising constantly.

I have slowly began to speak to people for their opinion on what to do prior to me deciding to say/do something. For example: there's a dog in the apartment next to me that barks a lot (this sends my anger through the roof cos I need quiet). Straight away I'm thinking about knocking on their door and saying bad things, but I presented this issue to my partner and instead she spoke to the person for me.

It IS very hard but asking for people's help on what to do first can make a big difference and avoids further misunderstandings with others.

I also repeat questions to my partner, it does miff her off a bit but she knows I have short term memory impairment but It's true that these types of injuries can have an effect on other people's lives by simply repeating questions can potentially annoy friends and family, but also those with a BI can develop a 'zero tolerance' when it comes to patience (standing in a queue or waiting for a text reply etc).

I think an important thing to do is to inform the people that are a part of a BI survivors life (friend and family) the importance of replying quickly or making sure things go to plan etc.

Point to note, when doing a task, distracting noises can have a huge effect on a person's ability to do something too as I've found out. Last-minute changes to plans can have a negative response too. Sorry for the waffling on, but these are just a few of the things I took have to put up with.

So far I find that using the 'notes' app on my phone helps me if I need to remember something but even this becomes a bit of a burden.

[skydivesurvivor]

he sounds very much like me following my accident! Took me time to recognise the many changes to my personality as I waited for my brain to re-wire?!! Please be tolerant, my husband wouldn’t. Took me 20 years to adapt, accept the new me, counciling will help you both. Am much more laid back than the old me ever was, found many better qualities too!! Will take time, hope y find support here, please visit as and when. Either to share y news or RANT as am sure y’all need to as he recovers. Hope y find much needed support here.good luck…oh I learnt that a SMILE is a relaxing tool too

[Nemo24]

I get anxious thinking have I used deodorant and brushed my teeth lots of times through the day. As well as continually losing the day. I use notes on whiteboards & post it notes to help.

[haverfordwest]

Hi B17D, I am now nearly 6 years after TBI, like you I had no patience, I wanted things done immediately, questions, texts, phone calls, anything needing fixing answered or done straight away. I had no control over my lack of patience, luckily that has eased a lot, I am still impatient. I think it was because I was in control of my life before and used to sort things out myself and not have to wait for help. You will learn to adapt, you will still get frustrated but will be able to reason with yourself better and not show it so much. It's a long long journey of adapting, accepting, rejecting, and I doubt you will ever be 100% happy in the new you but it is something that we all have to learn to live with for our own sanity.