I Have a What? A Guide for Coping with Moderate-to-Severe TBI

I Have a What?!:A Guide for Coping with Moderate-to-Severe TBIafter a moderate-to-severe TBI. This can make solving problems and organizing your lifeeven more difficult. Fatigue can also make it harder to focus on problems or demandingsituations. After a moderate-to-severe TBI, you may find that it is hard to get started ona task. Or you may have trouble following through with things and “getting the jobdone.”Having some difficulty with problem solving is a common symptom after a moderate-tosevereTBI. Like the other symptoms you have read about, this tends to get better overtime. However, you may continue to have long-term difficulties with organization andproblem-solving. Listed below are some ways to help your problem solving skills.What can I do?Think about things before you act. Take your time to think through whatyou need to do before acting. Planning ahead can improve your overallability to get things done.Limit the number of problems that you are trying to solve at one time.Figure out what problem is the most important. Tackle that one first. It maybe helpful to list problems you have to deal with on paper to help you getorganized. It may be helpful to talk to someone you trust to help you comeup with the problems or tasks that you want to accomplish.Set small goals that are easy to reach. Avoid taking on too many tasks atonce. Setting reasonable goals will leave you feeling less tired and moresatisfied.Break tasks into smaller pieces. Use a “To Do” list to break down a taskinto parts. Check off each task as you finish it. This will help you keeporganized and will reduce problems with forgetfulness. It may be helpful tohave someone you trust, like a family member, friend, or therapist help youlist the steps you’ll need to follow to finish your task.Page 26