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How a Mild Head Injury Can Cause Long-Term Cognitive Issues

Let's dive into a surprising topic that hardly anyone talks about. You know those memory issues and executive functioning problems you’ve been experiencing? Maybe you’ve even wondered about ADHD... Well, what if I told you they might be linked to a head injury from your past?

Connecting the Dots: My Unexpected Journey

You might think a head injury big enough to cause such problems would be pretty memorable, right? Well, let me share my story to show how this connection can be missed for years.

Back in the day, I was a bright student, always at the top of my class. But as my exams approached, something strange started happening to my brain. I began experiencing difficulties I couldn't explain. Concentration issues, memory issues, zoning out, depression, severe fatigue, times when my brain just “went offline”. Despite my struggles, I passed most of my exams, but my life became a rollercoaster of success and failure.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with ME, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. I thought I was just genetically unlucky, stuck with a bad hand of cards. But then, last year, I stumbled on some information that changed everything. I discovered that all these conditions can be triggered by even a mild head injury.

Suddenly, it all made sense. I remembered a blow to the head I had right around the time I began struggling. Could that seemingly minor incident have set off a chain reaction that led to my diagnoses? It was a revelation that connected the dots in a way I never imagined.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

The struggles overshadowed my life. Praised for my intelligence and told I would go far, my self-esteem plummeted as I failed to meet expectations. Starting my A-level studies, I was on track to study medicine, but I barely scraped through my exams. It was frustrating because I knew my intelligence was still there; I just couldn't use my brain properly. This worsened my ME and depression, and so chronic pain became a daily burden.

Realising that all my struggles likely stemmed from that split-second head injury was a lightbulb moment. It gave me an explanation and freed me from the guilt of "not trying hard enough." Not living up to my potential and making my parents proud weighed heavily on me. But now, I see it wasn't a character flaw—it was trauma that had disrupted my neurons enough to change my life.

Unmasking the Hidden Effects of Mild TBI

Did you know that even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have long-term effects on cognition? It's wild, but even a minor blow to the head can cause significant issues with memory, attention, and executive function. For someone going through this, it might mean forgetting important dates or tasks, struggling to focus on work or studies, and finding it hard to plan or organize daily activities. These cognitive difficulties can stick around for months or even years, leaving people feeling frustrated and confused about their mental fog and reduced efficiency.

Living with the long-term effects of a mild TBI can make everyday life a constant challenge. You might find yourself unable to multitask like you used to or needing more time to complete simple tasks. Social interactions can also become tough, as keeping up with conversations or remembering names and details gets harder. This can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety since the invisible nature of these cognitive struggles makes it hard for others to grasp what you're going through.

Looking Back: Could a Childhood Injury Be the Cause?

Think back to your childhood. Do you remember ever having a head injury or a bump, even if it wasn't severe enough to be treated in the hospital? My own injury occurred during cheerleading when I fell off someone's shoulders and hit the floor. But for you it could have been a fall off your bike, a sports injury, or even a playful accident that seemed harmless at the time.

Try to recall if your symptoms have always been present or if, like me, they started around that time. It's important to note that it can take up to 18 months for symptoms of a mild TBI to fully manifest. So, what might have seemed like a small incident could actually be the root cause of ongoing issues you're experiencing now.

Don't Go It Alone: Seeking Professional Help

Lastly, checking in with your doctor is always a good idea. They can help you explore the connection between your symptoms and any past head injuries and may offer further support or treatments. It's never too late to seek help and find ways to improve your quality of life.

Connect with Our Community

If this resonates with you, join our Facebook group! It's a chill space where we share stories, tips, and support each other. Click the link and come hang out with us. We'd love to have you!

If you think you’re dealing with something similar, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! I have tons of tips and advice to help ease the long-term effects of TBI. From memory tricks to managing executive function struggles, I’ve been through it all and found ways to make life a bit easier. Stick around, and I’ll share what I’ve learned to help take some of the pain out of your journey.

Did this post give you any "aha" moments? I'd love to hear about it! Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Sharing your experiences and insights can help others on their journey too. Let's get the conversation started!

[theartofquirk]

The Old Ways

Do you ever wonder about your ancestors? I've recently been on an investigative trip around my family tree with some quite interesting results.

I have a (very) distant cousin who was convicted of sheep stealing in the 1800's, deported to Tasmania and subsequently became a timber magnate & world renown apple cider brewer. The liquor is still available today but will set you back over £100 a bottle.

I have a cousin who was dubbed Yorkshire's very own Florence Nightingale for assisting a famous doctor in a malaria hospital in Guatemala. She earned herself the highest honour in that country, the Order of The Quetzal.

I discovered servants, potters, miners and even one committed to the West Yorkshire lunatic asylum. Which may explain a few things...

I initially thought the task to be a fun one but was surprised to find that it was also therapeutic.

My Father had told me about my ancestors on his side when I was a child. My hyperactive, naive brain didn't appreciate that sometime in the future I may wish to remember these stories and not have the chance for them to be retold.

On my Mothers side, there was less knowledge. In fact, we don't even know who my Grandfather was. A fact, unfortunately, taken to the grave.

As I piece together my lineage I find myself feeling more rooted to the Earth. Something I've struggled with for decades with this overactive, dissociation-prone mind.

I also have been spending a good deal of time thinking about local history, the differences in society and about the state of the world at large. This led me to consider whether information, otherwise passed down through generations by word-of-mouth, was lost when dual-income families and internet generation kids (like myself) became the norm.

I remembered my Mother always had a book of Mrs Beaton's Household Management on the kitchen shelf. I looked through it occasionally as a child, put off by recipes that required offal, and condemning the book as 'remnants of a distant past', a past made obsolete through modern convenience.

Looking back I cringe. I'm constantly apologising for my house when visitors come, though I am reassured that most laugh and say it's fine - I should have seen where they just came from! I'm never organised, often forgetful and suffer regular bouts of overwhelm. Perhaps, if I'd have shown Mrs Beaton greater respect, or domestic economy was taught in my family as a necessary skill, I wouldn't have been doomed to confusion and frustration. Or maybe I really am just lazy, as my brain likes to tell me in moments of weakness. Life was comfortable growing up but it didn't orient me very well in the world.

So I've resolved to make up for lost time. I've decided to learn from the real experts, the petticoat-wearing women of old. Starting from the oldest book in the Internet Archive, I'll be working my way though each book to the present in the hope to reveal the mysteries of a well-managed home.

The first book is from the 1800's and is the concisely named:

“The Family Hand-Book; Or Practical Information in Domestic Economy; Including Cookery, Household Management, and All Other Subjects Connected With the Health, Comfort and Expenditure of a Family: With a Collection of Choice Receipts and Valuable Hints”

I'll be pulling out small passages that jump out to me, either as something I wish I'd known or something that I feel is worthy of conversation. I won't be sticking to a set schedule as I'm clearly not that kind of organised but I will post as soon as I find each little nugget of gold.

Pass me my pinafore Mrs B!

[theartofquirk]

The excitement we had as a 5 year old, running to our parents in the playground, waving a shiny new certificate at them... As a child, the approval of our parents is integral to our desire to achieve. As adults though, being a hyper-achiever can have drawbacks if we lack focus and clarity. Take a moment. Disengage with the need to achieve. Consider asking yourself: am I doing this for my benefit? Or for the ability to show others what I can do? Will my efforts move me closer to my own goals?

[theartofquirk]

Recently, instead of zoning out on social media, I’ve had this web cam of a waterhole in the Namib desert on in the background. It’s helped me cut my social media use drastically. And it’s fun.

[theartofquirk]

“Self-improvement never ends. Once you fix one problem, you discover another area that requires an upgrade. This continues until the day you die.”

— Ed Latimore

[theartofquirk]

Woo! 10 posts. For someone with procrastination issues I'm impressed :D

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🍁autumn-dreamin🍁

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The South Downs

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Today I noticed how the sweet joy of painless living is only thrown into sharp contrast when the steering agony creeps back.

Pain has been an episodic lover creeping in and out of my bed as he pleases, no regard to the heartbreak he leaves.

[theartofquirk]

companion :)

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Practicing my character building.

[theartofquirk]