Living With Traumatic Brain Injury

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People with traumatic brain injuries may experience physical, cognitive or personality changes that affect their work and relationships. In this program from the University of Washington, hear stories of people who are rebuilding their lives and readjusting to family, careers and everyday life. This program is sponsored by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services/Aging and Disability Services Administration, University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, and Harborview Medical Center.

Channel: Education
Uploaded: March 11, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Author: ResearchChannel

Length: 00:29:11
Rating: 4.96
Views: 16795

Tags: health medicine

Video Comments:
cptmolbert (January 4, 2009 at 4:21 pm)
I was injured by a road side bomb in Afghanistan in 2006 and was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury (as well as some fractured bones in my back). It's been real hard, but I'm still in the Army and I am still recovering. This video was good, because some people think you are lazy...but it is a result of the injury. I'm not mad though, I volunteered to join the Army and I my only regret is that I can not read or think as fast as I used to. But I will never quit trying.
Shaboobooisme (December 4, 2008 at 4:18 am)
As a surviver from a TBI I'm living proof that life can go on. It is a slow process but it is possible. At first glance no one could imagine the trials and tribulations you went through on the road to recovery or even how you continue still to cope with the new you. This was a GREAT video, Thank You Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, University of Washington TBI Model System and, Harborview Medical Center, for funding this download.
hnicky (November 12, 2008 at 12:16 am)
i think i am experencing this..
pepper101402 (November 1, 2008 at 6:12 pm)
Another GREAT resource to understand brain injury -- the BBC has an interactive "brain map" site. Put in your internet browser: BBC brain map -- should hit it. For anger issues, use the brain map to look up "amygdala" and read. Fear, anger, anxiety etc are when amygdala is ACTIVE - to be happy, QUIET it. There are other parts of your brain that "shut up" the amygdala. For example, my partner can help calm me down when I'm upset by playing backgammon with me, which I knew how to play & loved B4
corydonindiana (November 1, 2008 at 5:36 pm)
She use to go to the YMCA and fast walk. She gets violent with me when I take her now. we do take walks now just up the road. They adjusted her meds, but she still occasionally gets violent in the night time and sometimes cries out for help to other people like I am hurting her. We have gotten to know the local police too well she use to read a lot . now a couple of sentences drive her crazy. Lately she is down on herself, like she is just realizing that she is disabled. Thanks for the reply
pepper101402 (November 1, 2008 at 6:03 pm)
I hear lots of stories of people with TBI, and VERY typical to go thru angry stage when realizing "I lost myself, this is the best it will ever get." How did she get the TBI - some kind of accident? She might have post traumatic stress disorder - I had it, also very common for TBI people. Does she have a good psychologist or neuro-psychologist with experience treating TBI?
corydonindiana (November 2, 2008 at 3:07 am)
Insurance is the big demon with the doctors. They only cover 2 neuro-psyc with in a one hour drive as providers. the reality of insurances and how they really are when you need them the most is eye opening. we have spent a lot of time trying loop holes myself.Angela had a wreck last Feb. the soc workers and docs have been very helpful. Learning the new Angela is the biggest challenge
pepper101402 (November 2, 2008 at 2:45 pm)
I found that the insurance system (mine was workers comp & sucked) and most of healthcare system is set up either for people who will get well in a short time, or people who are terminal-will be ill a long time then die. NOT for a person who can and will recover but it will take YEARS. If possible, you might have to move nearer to a place with more support for TBI :-( This country's healthcare non-system is horrible for TBI.
corydonindiana (November 2, 2008 at 3:17 am)
Besides her speech, gate, balance, and cognitive Angela has changed her personality all together. She is actually way sweeter than ever before, until she has enough and explodes into a "demonic like" rage. Anger would be too nice of a word.
pepper101402 (November 2, 2008 at 2:43 pm)
The extreme mood swings are something that can get much better in time. I struggled with the same thing myself, for first 3 years after injury. Think of an electrical appliance that has been smashed with many broken wires--running on low voltage some of the time, sparks & fire others. Over time the brain "rewires" itself and becomes more whole again but it takes a LONG TIME. The challenge is how to survive, keep the person & everyone else safe, and not go bankrupt, while waiting??