Traumatic Brain Injury
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The following is an on-line version of text from Getting Better (and better) After Brain Injury/A Survivor's Guide--25 Ideas for Living Smarter and Happier.
Text and formatting have been modified for viewing in various browsers.
 
Idea # 5
Success is Relative


Do you remember what you were like in the first days, weeks, or months after your injury?

 

  • Did you have problems with simple things like walking, talking, and eating?


  • Did you have 24 hour splitting headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness?


  • Was it hard to remember what day it was and where you were?


  • Were you confused?

Judging yourself in comparison to how you were before the injury can bring on disappointment. Also, if you focus too much on what you want to do, you can easily lose sight of what you’ve done. Instead, think about the progress you’ve made since your injury. You’ll feel better. For at least four reasons, you may not notice how much progress you’ve made:

  1. Progress can be very slow.


  2. Progress often requires a lot of hard work.


  3. You may not remember what you were like in the hospital.


  4. Sometimes you take one or two steps back when you take two steps forward.

Ask your family members and other people about your progress. Most will be glad to tell you. Many doctors and therapists use special tools to measure your physical well being and abilities. They may be in the best position to give you accurate information about your changes.

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Last updated  -  06/06/2008